Replies

1. 
   RW | Apr 22, 2005 11:13pm | #1

   As a remodeler, I've done both

   The concern I hear is usually "I want to still have access". I don't really buy that one. First of all, even a cheap drop ceiling here costs 3x what it does for drywall. That, in and of itself, usually cinches the deal and we do drywall ceilings. But DW fixes so easily, it doesn't, to me, seem to be a real issue.

   And honestly, when was the last time you needed to get into the floor joists for something? If it's really important, move it somewhere that an access panel will not look atrocious. Fishing new lines for phone and cable is pretty easy if you have a storage / mechanical area to gain access from (and most basements do).

   The one advantage, IF you need the access, is with a drop you can shine a flashlight around and hopefully find what you need. With DW you pretty much have to know where you want to cut.

   My opinion, the DW looks more finished and less rinky dink. It costs less. It saves ceiling height.

   "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

1. 
   RobS | Apr 22, 2005 11:56pm | #4

   Glad to hear this from a pro.  I finished the basement in our last house and used DW.  I always thought it looked more "finished" and less like a basement then.  Got the current basement ready for taping and it's all DW.  The tip on taking pics is a great one, I have pics of our whole house before insulation and drywall. 

   Go with DW and don't look back!Rob

   Weekend Warrier Supreme

2. 
   bladeburner | Apr 22, 2005 11:19pm | #2

   I've used suspended ceilings on my last 2 homes in garage and basement. I also pegboard non firewall walls in the garage. I use cheap, hard stuff in the garage (moisture from pipes, dryer hose, etc.), but Royal Oak tiles in the basement. Both have been walk-outs. Aside from the easy access, I've had many compliments.

   Joe

3. 
   woodguy99 | Apr 22, 2005 11:41pm | #3

   RW is right on, IMO.  There are pipes and wires all through the walls of your house and how often do you need to access those?  I suppose if you were really into tinkering on the house you may want to run new speaker wires and that sort of thing, but if you want it to look like a finished space take some photos or make a diagram of where all the mechanicals are and cover it up with sheetrock.

    

   Mike

1. 
   Hubedube | Apr 23, 2005 01:02am | #5

   ..and how often do you need access?

    It will only take ONE time when you want access,and then you will wish you had installed a dropped ACCESSIBLE type ceiling.

1. 
   RW | Apr 23, 2005 01:22am | #6

   I disagree. Just from the cost standpoint, if DW as an option adds $1K to the job, and a drop adds $3K to the job, and the bill, perhaps years down the road to patch a hole in the ceiling is $100, wouldn't you rather keep the other $1900?

   Granted, everyones completely entitled to their own opinion, and I'm not going to say you can't have yours, but if the cost was completely irrelevant and out of the picture, which look, aesthetically, would you rather live under in your own house? And with a drop you're consigned to the world of tiles which can sag and discolor over time, a grid full of seams, more limited lighting options, you can't paint it to change the color without making it look like an abortion, . . .

   I guess I just gotta say yuck. But you don't have to agree with me."If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

1. 
   calvin | Apr 23, 2005 01:47am | #7

   RW, one thing I remain with throughout the discussion is that it's up to the wants and designs of my customer.  I'm a whore.

   But, one positive I think the susp ceiling offers is to help temper the sound down in a wide open basement with a ceiling in the 7 to 7'-6" range.  This is more apparent with the shadowline series where all those channels work to contain the sound.  In addition, suspended's now don't need to look like a Kroger. 

   But like I mentioned.........whatever Lola wants............Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

2. 
   Hubedube | Apr 23, 2005 02:48pm | #8

   And I do not agree.

4. 
   Ribs | Apr 24, 2005 03:27pm | #9

   I'm also in the midst of of basement remodel and am going to go with the drop ceiling for a number of reasons.

   Although I don't think it will look as finished I've been keeping my eyes open in various buildings I've been in recently and have been pleasantly surprised when I looked up and realized the room actually has a dropped ceiling. Although they can look cheap I think done right they don't have to.

   I also have to disagree with regard to not needing access to the ceiling, like other areas of your house (for that matter I've had numerous times I've been very frustrated not having that access). I don't know what your house is like but mine is older and everything is not neat and perfect. There is no convenient space in the basement to move every water valve to. I've got water valves in inconvenient spaces and difficult configurations (tight corners). Was the cost of calling in a plumber figured into those costs? How about pipes? Are you going to have to drop the ceiling (with framing) to get by those and install the DW. It's not as cut a dry as some make it sound.

   With all the new wiring coming out for home entertainment and computers will you want different cables in the near future? Are you planning any 1st floor renovations any time soon? Do you want to have your basement a mess during those renovations? I guess it depends on your future plans.

   I plan to do some renovation still on my first floor and will need access in the next few years.

   I guess if you are in a nice square new house with everything neat and clean the DW might be a better option in my case, no way.

   Tom

5. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 24, 2005 10:05pm | #10

   this one don't look cheap ...

   View Image

    

   Jeff

     Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/24/2005 3:06 pm ET by Jeff J. Buck

1. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 24, 2005 10:06pm | #11

   View Image  Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

1. 
   scottyb | Apr 25, 2005 02:48am | #13

   Looks sharp Jeff.Those tiles are kind of pricy aren't they?Anyway,just shows what a quality install can add to a job.Strange this question comes up I have spent the last two months hanging about 5000 sq ft of ceiling.Love that self-leveling palm laser.

1. 
   chrisross | Apr 25, 2005 03:45pm | #14

   Thanks for all the feedback!  I spent about 6 years of my carpentry career doing suspended ceilings in commercial work.  Finished lots of basements with them.  Now it's my own house and just wanted some opinions.  Resale is my main concern, it's a house I intend to live in for 2 years, sell and build another.  Wondering what the general thoughts would be from prospective buyers.  Thanks, Chris

2. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 26, 2005 01:50am | #16

   The home owner picked those tiles up.

   Nothing special ... stock item from Home Depot.

    

   Not their cheapest ... but not "special order item" pricing.

   Jeff    

6. 
   wango | Apr 24, 2005 11:31pm | #12

   I did an easier method that looks like a coffered ceiling. Get drywall as long as your room is wide. Screw sheets up and mud the screws in the center. Then stain 1 x to cover the edges. Then add another to trim out the perimeter. It's fast/easy/easy to get to pipes if you need to and ruins one sheet, but easy to fix. No taping or sanding.

7. 
   RichColumbus | Apr 25, 2005 05:06pm | #15

   If you have lots to frame around and a lot of j-boxes to move prior to framing... and heaven forbid... plumbing to move, or HVAC to change... drop-ceiling it.  It'll be cheaper in the end as just as aesthetically pleasing (see Jeff's post) if you upgrade the panels.

   If you have a house that is "basement finish-freindly"... drywall it.

   In most of the homes that I see for proposed basement finishing... they are not "basement finish friendly".  By the time I figure the additional framing, the moving of the electrical, the plumbing adjustments and HVAC... AND the drywall.... it is cheaper and more feasible to put in a drop ceiling.

   If it's my house... I am designing it to accommodate the finish basement (with drywall ceilings).  Wiring and plumbing chases for future use, access panels in strategically placed closets along the various chases, etc.

   I am certainly not an apraiser... but if I am not mistaken... the value of the basement is simply whether it is finished or not.  Drop-ceiling or drywall makes very little difference in value.  "Saleability" is a different matter... but as evidenced here... some prefer drywall... some prefer drop.  If I am only living in it for 2 more years... I do whatever is economically (including allowance for your time) advantageous.

1. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 26, 2005 01:52am | #17

   the "other side" of that same basement is pretty much all drywall.

   95% of the mechanicals were on the same side they wanted extra sound proofing ... dropping that half made sense.

   Jeff    

1. 
   JonE | Apr 26, 2005 02:48am | #18

   Jeff, that looks really good.  Gives me some good ideas for the new house (especially the pool table...)

   Jon 

1. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 26, 2005 06:20pm | #19

   Here is another option for drop ceiling.http://www.primewoodproducts.com/ceiling_new.htmhttp://www.americantinceilings.com/designs.html