Drywall vs. Suspended Basement Ceilings
First time posting, and given all the great info I have read here over the past couple of years I’m certain my solution lies within. The issue…
I’m finishing my brothers basement in Minnesota. Newer home, around 1 year old. I personally do not like concealing the duct work, plumbing and electric with drywall because that eventually compounds the work and effort required to address even minor issues with those systems. Unfortunately, my brother is constructionally retarded (suitable for demo only), cares not for such issues, and insists on rocking the ceiling. I am looking for a few more points of view to support my position that could easily be understood and accepted by the constructionally challenged.
Initially and always thankful,
Rystarr
If you’re not going to do the job right for Christ’s sake, don’t even do it at all! – My dad
Replies
A drywall ceiling will almost certainly take away more ceiling height than a suspended one, if that's an issue. To rock the ceiling you need substantial ceiling joists, while a suspended ceiling is, well, suspended.
(Well, granted the above isn't 100% true -- you can suspend metal channels and screw the rock to those, but it's a bit trickier to get right than the other options.)
I vote for suspended. You pull ONE circuit (water or electrical or phone or cable or....) to add convenience and the suspended just paid for itself.
Makes for easier review of subfloor to spot potential problems sooner. This one is for the maintenance freaks out here (read "me").Troy Sprout
Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."-- Thomas Sowell
5 years ago, I would have used one of those flush mount ceiling grid systems just in case I ever had to open things up.
Now, after numerous drywall repairs as part of my new career, I would probably re-consider. Drywall is a lot cheaper and I think it looks better. It might even be faster. And repairs are pretty simple if you ever do need to open it up.
Here's some other considerations:
Drywall is pretty tough to put up by yourself. Even with a panel lift, it's really a 2-person job.
Consider the intersection between the walls and the ceiling. If the walls are drywall also, it makes for a nice corner, but if the walls are paneled, you'll need some sort of molding to finish it off. Grid systems, on the other hand, finish off nicely regardless of the wall material.
Ceiling tiles have sound absorbing qualities that drywall does not. This may or may not matter depending on the intended usage of the room.
I wish I had installed a suspended ceiling in my basement .
You already stated the reasons.
Tim
My vote is for drywall.
For the maintenance freaks, I just put in lots of fake speaker covers and fake air grilles. Pop open the grilles and access your "basment attic".
blue
"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
He's your brother so the next question, is this a paid job or one of those 'keep it in the family' freebies that come up now and again? If it's paid, do what he wants. If it's free, then I would argue like mad for no sheet rock.
If you put in a suspended ceiling to avoid any hassle should a minor issue occur, just make sure you use it on all your walls. Sometimes minor issues crop up behind them too.
Yes, and use the suspended ceiling idea for the floors too!
Great idea...we have to plan for everything!
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
Drywall grid....
I am working on a basement now. The way the ceiling is broke up with the duct work plumbing etc. It worked out well to sheet rock some areas and suspended ceiling in others.
Keep in mind you do not want to cover over any plumbing clean-outs or electrical j-boxes, water shut offs, etc with dry wall.
It also worked out that the suspended ceiling is below the upper bathrooms plumbing which I am sure will be a help in the future.
Drywall better
maybe the walls and ceilings upstairs need to be removable also? to allow for easier maintainence or better yet buy a mobile home. You can pull it to the carwash or put it up on the rack to work on it. You from Minnesota or something. <g>
don't think I'm "constructionally challenged".... if there's a shutoff or control we make sure it's accessible everything else gets drywall..just like upstairs
I am replacing tiles in a drop ceiling at work. Two different areas, 17 cartons of 2x2' tiles at $82/ carton for roughly 200 tiles. This is comercial grade stuff, so it is better looking than most of the stuff I have seen at HD or Lowes. $1400 for 800 sf of ceiling.
You need to weigh the cost per square foot with the grid and labor to install it to the finished drywall install cost. Next, take a SWAG at how manny times you will need access to the mechanicals for maintanace or addition. Is the higher cost of the grid ceiling worth it? What about the finished look? If he wants it to look like the rest of his house, it won't happen with grid.
Like Blue said, add access panels or fake registers at key points in a dw ceiling and you accomplish your maintance goals and get a finished look that can match the rest of the home.
Dave
It's a radical idea, but many people like to fix the mechanicals before covering it up.
We wouldn't allow a suspended ceiling as an option to our clients.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.