Replies

1. 
   Douglas_ | Sep 15, 1999 08:36am | #1

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   Mike,
   I'm not a professional in this field, but like remodeling my house to improve it, so I hope this will give you some ideas. I have recently installed the "racerack" effect in two of my rooms in my house. I don't use sheetrock. I found that by using rigid foam isulation board is very user friendly. The rigid board I've used is about 1" thick and is fairly smooth. It runs about $10 and I've done racetrack designs with multi layers, quarter circles, and octagons. I run the material through my table saw to cut it to the width I need. Then use "Beats Nails" to install it and sometimes screws. If the fit is not perfect, just use a good paintable caulk. It holds joint compound well for texturing or filling dents and holds paint well. I toured new homes to get ideas for my designs. I hope this helps.

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   Guest_ | Sep 16, 1999 03:13pm | #2

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   Douglas, Does this rigid foam isulation board come in 3/4 inch, And where can i get some in orlando fl. still will need the 1" thick i like the look of the ceiling...Old times are coming back. Also does it hold mud well. Guess it does...

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   Guest_ | Sep 16, 1999 04:33pm | #3

   *Foam board needs 1/2" drywall to meet fire code in most areas . The ceiling is were fire and heat build up fast . The little exta time spent using and cutting wall board will be time well spent.

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   Guest_ | Sep 18, 1999 09:09am | #4

   *Yes, this is probably an illegal application. CABO § 317. Also, the gypsum firebreak must be nailed or screwed, not glued. Certain foam mouldings are excepted.Try Walls & Ceilings Magazine for some ideas. The technique looks pretty straightforward, not that my drywall techniques are any good!

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   Guest_ | Sep 18, 1999 05:17pm | #5

   *I had a friend do this to an existing ceiling. Sheetrock in place and he used plywood. Screwed it up. Filled the holes. Cut a curve aut of each corner of the plywood. Then set the cut out pieces away from the main pieces. Finished it with a sand texture blown on. Took him and his wife about a day and a half. looks fantastic.Rick Tuk

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   Douglas_ | Sep 25, 1999 07:15am | #6

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   I think their is a bit of miss understanding when I suggested using hard insulation board for use of racetrack designs. Sheetrock the room first and then if you want to do a design, the insulation board is much easier and faster because you don't have to tape any joints. If it is not a perfect match to ceiling/wall use a good paintable caulk. The insulation board may be mounted any way a person sees best. Screws work well, or an adhessive. Working with this stuff is a breeze, no taping of joints or outside/inside taping is needed. I do put one tape coat on first for sealing air or stopping fire (ya right). If you don't feel comfortable using an adessive to install it, then don't. I think wood behind the rock would burn first or my carpet. By then I would hopefully be long gone before a small dab of adhessive here and there caught on fire.

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   Guest_ | Oct 02, 1999 08:03am | #7

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   This was the ceiling my wife and I did for our house - It's all drywall and conceals the venting ductwork (big) and houses 20 can lights with 55 watt floods (11' up). The ceiling was designed to fit 40" square white oak tobacco baskets into the recessed "coffers" (not installed in this picture).

   I almost got into the fall FHB Kitchen and Bath issue with this, but didn't make the cut. All of it is scratch built (by me, the homeowner), no purchased units except appliances.

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   Guest_ | Oct 04, 1999 05:02pm | #9

   *Nice job Forrest! I have also done a coiffered ceiling with drywall and I used metal studs over existing drywall and more 1/2 drywall.One neat thing I did was chamfer all the edges by using a chamfer bead.Outwater Plastics have some really neat drywall accessories.I also don't see any reason why foam over taped drywall wouldn't fly in any state of the union.In fact, Dryvit,Stolit, and most other eifs manu. have interior systems. And hey how about all that extra soundproofing?

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   mike_roberts | Oct 04, 1999 05:02pm | #8

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   Need info regarding books, web info or other sources on designing and installing "racetrack" (multi-layer wallboard ceiling of diminising distances from walls) ceilings in a house...