In article , "PVR" wrote:
Assuming 2ft square tiles what is the smallest distance from the joists the
ceiling can be suspended? I want to maintain as much ceiling height as
possible.

If you have less than an inch or inch and a half between the bottom of the
joists and the top of the rails, installing the tiles gets _real_awkward_ .

Less than two inches, and installing the support wires gets awkward too.

What kind of light fixtures are you planning to use? Can lights can go up
between the joists, and thus don't impose any height limitations on the rails.
Troffers, on the other hand, will need about four inches between the bottom of
the joists and the bottom of the rails.

The more clearance you can leave between the joists and the grid, the easier
it is to install.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?