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How can I prevent a sagging soffit style ceiling when using soffit material for the installation?

Asked by Kiieslav Onishchuk
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 5, 2024

I’m trying to create a soffit-style ceiling using soffit material. Any tips on how to prevent it from sagging?

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Emilie Johansen

A few pop rivets at the connections could be beneficial.

Russell Bates

Consider applying subfloor glue along the seam. It could be beneficial, although I haven’t personally tried it for this type of project.

José Carlos Santiago

Tim, don’t glue these seams together.

Silas Sørensen

You’ll want something sturdier than those OSB strips. Opt for 1x4s for a more secure nailing surface, and place them 16″ apart.

Miodrag Vidaković

Double up on every 16″ and attach securely.

پرهام صدر

Place 2x lumber every 16 inches and opt for roofing nails over staples. Staples are likely to come loose when the OSB expands due to heat and moisture. Remember to leave a small gap behind the head of the roofing nails to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the vinyl without causing wrinkles.

Harriet Robinson

I believe you may be running it the wrong way. I have had no issues with an 8 foot span on mine.

Harriet Robinson

The length of mine is 15 and the width is 8 so no need for a connection. How wide is yours?

Nói Novaes

Hey, you should go in the opposite direction

Elsbeth Dettmer

Hey , remember not to butt them together… it’s better to overlap them

Andréa Picard

Hey , I’ve noticed that if you go in the opposite direction, you can secure a screw in each truss/joist/rafter, or whatever you prefer to call it, and it will only sag about 2 feet. At least that’s what I’m seeing.

Micheal Hunt

That’s the correct answer.

Elsbeth Dettmer

Typically, the panels come with a factory overlap.

Elsbeth Dettmer

Hey , approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches.

Elsbeth Dettmer

Hey , you can trim a bit off the nail strip and attach it to overlap.

Teodor Vujčić

Increase the number of hosts to one every 16 inches and secure them with white screws.

Maeva Martin

Make sure to run the pieces in the opposite direction of the rafters for better support.

Sarah Anderson

Get rid of the osb. Install treated 2 x 1 counter battens every 16″, securing them at each joist with 4.0 x 50mm screws. Use color-matched (or black or white) polytop nails (25mm to 1-1/4″), and hammer them in with a nylon hammer – 3 nails per width at every counter batten.

José Carlos Santiago

It seems like the bottom piece is nailed too tightly. Try loosening the bottom one and tightening the top one. Avoid nailing them tightly, riveting the sheets together, or gluing anything in place. Consider using 1x4s with 16-24″ spacing instead of OSB. And remember, don’t nail it too tight as it needs to accommodate weather changes.

یسنا مرادی

Bring your strapping closer together. I wouldn’t recommend using 1/2″ osb for strapping. Opt for 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ spruce instead.

Ina Willumsen

Avoid using it.

Ege Köybaşı

For more durability, you should use stiffer strips, like a furring strip, and place them every 12 inches. Otherwise, it might start sagging in high temperatures.

Aldo Maestas

I wouldn’t recommend using that torn press wood you have there because it might sag in the future. Opt for 1×4 instead, it will stay sturdy.

Ethan Anderson

Was on board with the idea. I might even use treated wood for the outdoor project.

Elsbeth Dettmer

Why are you opting for particle plywood for the cross braces?

Elsbeth Dettmer

You’re installing the soffit in the wrong direction… If you want it to run that way, you’ll need to secure something sturdy to nail into.

Elsbeth Dettmer

Place 2×4 pieces flat between the joists every 2 feet minimum, or adjust the soffit orientation accordingly.

Zoé Dumont

The material of your fit strips is incorrect. Consider using strapping with spacing of at least 16 inches on center.

Meral Özkök

The fasteners are too big for the span. Try using roofing nails instead.

Mirna Blažić

Metal is the way to go, not vinyl!

Jenny Sælen

It’s actually recommended to run it perpendicular to the ceiling joists, and the soffit shouldn’t overlap in that manner.

Jenny Sælen

It’s been about 10 years since I sold my siding business, so I’m not sure what’s currently on the market. But we used to butt two pieces of soffit channel against each other where your seam is located. You might be able to find something similar in vinyl at a supply house.

Jenny Sælen

If the ceiling measures 20’x20’, divide it at 10’ using this method. Make sure to extend it from the house to the eave, perpendicular to the joists. It not only enhances the appearance but also eliminates the need for furring strips.

Ella Freeman

Try running it the short way (perpendicular to the ceiling) instead. Any particular reason for using furring strips? I also observed that the nails are excessively tight.

Anujna Rajesh

Try using back to back J channel at the seams to avoid any visible seams.

Elsbeth Dettmer

That’s not the right way to tackle soffit.

Anujna Rajesh

OP is actually working on a ceiling, not soffit.

Elsbeth Dettmer

Mentioned they’re working on a ceiling using soffit materials. It’s okay for it to overlap, just like siding. It would look better if done in full pieces. I have experience installing siding for over 20 years, and double j-ing the seams would not look good.

Elsbeth Dettmer

If you trim the nailing strip and the hook about an inch back, it’s similar to cutting siding.

Alex Graham

Using J channel back to back is another option. While overlapping soffit can technically “work,” it usually doesn’t look very good. To achieve better results, locate the center of your ceiling, snap a line down the middle, and install the J channels on the line. You’ll be much more satisfied with how it turns out.

Anujna Rajesh

Suggested cutting it into thirds if you’re a fan, but it’s up to you!

Tracey Davidson

How wide is the material you’re using? In our area, we typically opt for 16″ widths for shorter runs and 8″ widths for longer spans. Whenever we tried using 16″ on longer spans, we always experienced sagging issues.

Mahé Gerard

Seems like it could be a bit flimsy. Is it made of vinyl? You may want to consider adding a nail in one of the ribs.

Elsbeth Dettmer

In the best-case scenario, you’d want furring strips every 12-16 inches and ensure that seams align with the centers of supports. Personally, I would have run it the opposite way and included furrings along the entire nail strip.

Arlene Mark

Make sure to run it perpendicular to the joist and create breaks on a sturdy surface for nailing.

Damião Carvalho

I’ve been in a similar situation before. It’s best to avoid potential issues in the future. I removed mine after 3 years. Consider switching to hardie board or a more rigid material.

Damião Carvalho

‘s hair was super wavy, he couldn’t keep it in place. There were plenty of firing stops for fastening points. When I removed it, I discovered that the original installer had used drywall screws, which were rusting due to the coastal environment. As a solution, I now only use 308 or 316 grade stainless fasteners.

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