Hanging Azek Beadboard by Yourself
I need to hang Azek PVC T&G beadboard on a patio ceiling, and am working by myself. It’s floppy stuff, 1/2″ thick, 5″ wide, 18 feet long. The patio ceiling is 28 feet long, so I’d like to use as long lenghts as I can. Any helpful hints on how to do it?
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Well you could always rent a drywall lift (or two). And if nothing else some drywall-style T props are probably in order -- roughly 4-foot 2x4 horizontal nailed to a 2x4 vertical long enough to jam under the panel.
It's so floppy I doubt a drywall lift would help much. Maybe if you had several T-props but even with them it'd not be easy because once they're holding the board up then it's difficult to position it. (I'm assuming you're using individual plank style Azek beadboard not the 4x8 sheets. If you're using the 4x8 sheets, maybe a drywall lift would help)
I've read John Carroll's book Working Alone and he has many great suggestions but when it comes to individual plank-style, floppy, Azek beadboard, I would hire a helper for a few hours.
OK, I missed that it was 5"
OK, I missed that it was 5" wide. (Was kinda wondering how you'd even ship pieces that large.)
I wonder if you couldn't fasten some L brackets to the ceiling framing to hold the planks near where they need to be. The trick is designing the brackets so they can be easily moved every couple of planks. You might even be able to use C brackets that allow one piece to be hung off the adjacent one.
Thanks guys; if I do find a way I'll add a post of how I ended up doing it.
Do you have a few step ladders? Maybe you could clamp a T-brace to the side of a few step ladders. I'm thinking 4 step ladders should do the job. If you have a Little Giant (or knock-off), you have 2 step ladders right there.
If it were me without any help
I'd build about 5 T braces the height of the ceiling minus 3/4" with the T section about 2' long. Build them so they can stand alone without needing to lean against anything or be pressed hard to the ceiling to stay in place. Place them between the joists at roughly 3' intervals and running parallel to the joists. The fun part will be getting the Azek on top of the braces. The 2' would allow you to run roughly 4 course before having to move the braces. Are you working with stilts? Lots and lots of ladder climbing and shifting otherwise. By the time it's all said and done, having a couple helpers for that little chore would likely be more cost effective.