[cathy1955]

We put up the suspension rail last night, screwed into every joist. However, both ends are not attached. Should they be secured? It's just drywall at those points; what should we use? ps the 88" rails we bought in Vancouver are actually only 80". Is this the new length?

This site has reassured me every day as we nonpros bumble along..

[ludes98]

I don't worry about the ends not being attached if there is a joist within a few inches. If it is a large gap then I've done drywall anchors to keep the rail from deflecting a bit.

[Chuck]

I agree with ludes - it sort of depends how far you are from the closest stud, and how much your rail deflects when you tighten the hardware. Drywall anchors work and toggle bolts are another possibility.

If you don't mind investing a little time and effort, you could also open up your wall enough to get into place a piece of 1x4 or 2x4 that you could secure to the drywall with some screws and then use that as a kind of fake stud to which you could screw the end of the rail. Neatness isn't essential if you go this route, as you'll be covering over the space where you've opened up the wall, but you don't want to be totally sloppy, either.