Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - pot rack silliness

I have a pot rack that hangs from just one ceiling point. The part of the ceiling I need to hang it from is a drop ceiling on the top floor of an apartment building. There doesn't seem to be wood studs in the area we're talking...just the thin metal kind. So I'm wondering what my options are for safe and secure installation for this thing if it has to be able to support 50 lbs or so.

Should I:

1. Use a single toggle bolt through the metal and hope the weight doesn't pull the stud and sheetrock out of shape

2. knock a big enough hole in the ceiling to brace the metal stud with some wood behind it, then patch up the ceiling (pain in the arse)

3. Enact the brilliant plan given to me by one of you generous and knowledgeable forum members!

Any input greatly appreciated.

What's above the ceiling tiles? If you have standard joists, you may be able to install a 2x4 on top of a couple, cut a hole in a tile and thread through, mount the rack and place tile.

Now, I'm confused. In #1 you mention sheetrock. You don't have dropped ceiling tiles? If you have attic access, perhaps you can investigate what's above the sheetrock ceiling.

#2 is a pain, but it may be your only option.

There are no studs above a dropped ceiling. You have a metal grid framework suspended from the ceiling joists. The metal framework is designed to hold the weight of ceiling tiles and nothing else.

Remove a tile and determine the position of the ceiling joists. If you want to suspend a pot hanger from the ceiling, tie it in to the joists and not the tile grid.

There are no studs above a dropped ceiling. You have a metal grid framework suspended from the ceiling joists. The metal framework is designed to hold the weight of ceiling tiles and nothing else.


Maybe I misnamed it a drop ceiling. There aren't any tiles. It's sheetrock but I have no idea what's above it other than knocking on it produces a realllly hollow sound. There's no attic space so I'm not sure how to figure out what's up there. Is there any way around putting a big hole up there and patching up when I'm through?

can you remove a light or vent to see up through the sheetrock to see what is supporting the ceiling? that would be a good starting point.
life begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies

Your sheetrock should be attached to wood ceiling joists. They can be located with a tool called a stud finder (inexpensive at a big box store) or you can drive a small finish nail through the sheetrock to locate a joist.

A good place to start would be a ceiling light fixture since the fixture box will be attached to a joists. The joists are typically spaced 16" apart and should be running the same direction as your floor joists.

Your sheetrock should be attached to wood ceiling joists. They can be located with a tool called a stud finder (inexpensive at a big box store) or you can drive a small finish nail through the sheetrock to locate a joist.



I have a stud finder and used it on the ceiling and it led me to the metal joist. I guess I'll keep looking for wood up there. Removing the light fixture to see what's happening is my next step I guess. Thanks!

Thanks for the help guys. I removed the recessed can and threw a flashlight up there and bang - big ol' wooden joist about 18" up above. I hung the chain from there. Only complication was when I was widening the hole in the tin escutcheon I got to finish it off - I held it with my hand...doh - and then I tried to use a wood boring bit...doh doh....after a few days the large slices on my fingers are healing up nicely.