I would like to replace my current suspended basement ceiling ( 2×4 ceiling tile ) with something that looks less institutional/ commercial, while maintaining access to my plumbing and wiring. I would like some lightweight preferably wooden replacement in a larger panel size that could be installed by a moderately skilled person. Anyone have any good ideas ?
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1/4" plywood comes in a variety of finishes (species)....I might add the extra gridwork to bring them down to 2 x 2 panels to avoid bowing.
Even if the you spend $20/sheet, it's under 65 cents a square foot.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
For our kitchen I made up T-bars (actually "cross" bars, I suppose) from a piece of 1x4 with two pieces of 3/4x1/2 "stop" on each side. (About 3/4" of the 1x4 was exposed below the pieces of "stop".) Long pieces ran across the (relatively narrow) kitchen, and then short pieces were cut to fit in-between. The short pieces were notched on each end to fit over the "stop" on the longer pieces, so that the whole thing went together with no fasteners.
Then I set in translucent plastic panels (since there were lights above), but one could use any sort of panel, of course.
Went through two jugs of biscuits putting the pieces together. Had a jig for the biscuit cutting and another for the end notching so that it went pretty fast.
Paint would be your quickest and least expensive option. If you paint the panels and tracks all the same color (such as ceiling white) it would be far less noticeable to the eye.
I also like the idea of using 1/4" plywood panels, as mentioned by the previous poster. If you don't mind the paneled look but plywood is not in the budget, or too much work, you can paint the panels and tracks contrasting but complementary colors.
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Various metal and metal-looking tiles are available for drop-in. I believe DEPOT carries a line of them.
Forrest
Using JD's idea I'd think about adding some light trim. Light visually and weight wise. Kinda like:
View Image
Edited 4/1/2009 6:57 pm ET by john7g
Niiiiice.
Not a fan of suspended ceilings, but I'm thinking I could live with something like that!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
It was your idea that got me going. I used a mull mould for the trim so not very big at all.
If one was so inclined they could even do some fancy painting with boarders and such inside the trim or the panels or a darker base color for the panel and the trim a very bright white or vice versa.
I just may have to do a real life experiment with it next time I find something with a drop ceiling.
I'm not a fan of suspended ceilings either but it may be a good way to dress up some office space for a business. The issues would be the existing track color, lights and vents. but a little planning should be able to work with those.
It was your idea that got me going.
I was thinking something relatively easy, and low cost.....while adding the mouldings makes for a bit more work (though not a ton, nor terribly difficult as the panels will just be duplicates of one another.....once you have your measurements and layout, they could be pumped out pretty quickly)....a simple moulding like that could drastically increase the "wow factor" while still keeping costs minimal.
I will definetly keep it in mind for the future....although I doubt I average 1 suspended ceiling every 3 years.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Take out half the 4' t's. That'll give you a 4' x 4' grid pattern.
Use JD's 1/4" ply idea. Cut full sheets in half. Put a stiffening 1x2 across the middle of the backside if needed.
Nail decorative molding to the grid or paint it to compliment the wood... buic
I used masonite panels painted white and made the grid custom sized (because the room was 4-2 x 6-3) so that I had six equal sized panels, smooth and clean looking.
Raised panels might look good -- if you have a 10' basement ceiling.
But I'd probably keep it looking pretty light, myself -- 3/8"x1 1/4" to1 1/2" or so of exposed wood. That would mean rabbeted edges.
You could either screw down through existing metal from above, or start from scratch with screw eyes in the backside of 1x2s.
AitchKay
Put in nicer panels.There are some very nice looking panels on the market now. Home Depot carries and displays a nice line. I'd add some 2ft cross bars and go with an upgraded 2x2 panel, there's some very nice 2x2 panels with a 1x1 design. Looks like old fashion metal ceiling. Vic
As said before add 2' track to make it 2x2 and get the beadboard look panelling like wainscoting and rip it being carefull so the beads line up. Good excuse to buy an EZ or Festool or table saw. I know Lowes has the stuff but did not find it on line.