Ceiling replacement - which way to go?

VEIK

Hi all,

I am in the process of replacing my tv-room ceiling
Room is 17.5x12.5, with access to garage.

Right above it there is a shower and another full bath, which means that floor above it carries a number of wires, pipes and drains.

House is 25 years old, and main reason I am removing the floor is because the drywall has gone bad from a number of pipe repairs over the years.

I have removed it all, I now have exposed beams, pipes, etc.

I am wondering, what is the best way to go about putting up new ceiling.

1. Tiles - easier to put up, not expensive

2. Recessed ceiling - this will drop it by 3-4'' at least, and with 8ft ceiling it seems like a big drop.

Any one better than the other?

I am considering Armstrong HomeStyle line...


Thanks!

47_47

I wouldn't put in a dropped ceiling, I think they look cheap. I'd put up drywall, you are only talking 10) 4'x8' sheets. It really doesn't matter what I think, the biggest questions are what do you want it to look like and what will you budget allow?

__________________
What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it.

VEIK

Budget ideally $500 or below.
I want to do the whole thing myself.

One part of drywall that draws me away - mud and sanding it all later.
Lots of dust and clean up.

47_47

Even if you figure $10.00 per sheet, jack rental, screws, tape, mud and paint you should be well under the 500.00. I'd read up on a few drywall finishing threads posted here and you should be ok without too much of a mess. On a separate note, now would be the time to upgrade you ceiling lights and locations. No need for fancy fixtures now, just rough in the boxes.

__________________
What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it.

VEIK

Yup, I want to put up some ceiling lights as well.
No previous wiring up there, so everything needs to be wired from scratch.

47_47

TV room ceiling Overhead projector? Surround sound? Insulate the ceiling from your plumbing noises? Wrap you water lines to prevent condensation? Think about what you may want and rough it in.

__________________
What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it... well, he gets it.

VEIK

just plasma on the wall+ 3 speakers built in front wall, 2 rear ones are wall attached, from previous owners.

Question on the water pipe insulation - what do I insulate it with? Fiberglass insulation?

The black colors rubber insulation on goes up to 100F (used in A/C lines, etc), what should I use?

Thanks

Termite

I'll agree that a drop tile ceiling looks like crud, and doesn't do much of anything for the home's value. Cost-wise, I can't imagine that a grid ceiling is any cheaper than a sheetrock ceiling, although it is a bit easier.

I'd hang rock if it were mine.

Jay123

If you can, you might want to post some pictures....it can help others help you.

Jay

P.S. move all the dirty laundry out of the way before you take the pics...don't ask

J

VEIK

I will post pics tonight.

Going to the hardware store now to look at some insulation, tools, etc.

Thank you everyone for replying!

VEIK

Here is what it looks like now.

Pipes need to be insulated, and couple of floor squeaks need to be corrected.

Attached Thumbnails

     

Jay123

Personally, I would put up sheetrock. Take mucho pics of your ceiling (if you're floor is unfinished mark on the floor where any valves/shut-offs, etc are, for any access panels).

We've never put a drop ceiling in any of the basements we finish, but we do have people ask about having access to all the plumbing/hvac etc in the ceiling and I always ask what they do in the rest of the home (almost always 2 story homes). That always seems to turn the lightbulb on.

All you need are the 6x9 access panels in the sheetrock where necessary. It looks a lot better with sheetrock (at least to most people).

J

VEIK

Drop ceiling is the last thing I will put up, due to the 3-4 inch loss.
I looked at ceiling tiles last night.

Most likely ceiling tiles will go in place, similar to this
http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na...itemId=44644.0

Renovator,LLC

Drywall for a good-looking finish. Tiles are ok, but are an inferior finish in comparison. Don't even think drop ceiling, gad, they make a bad room even worse.
For tiles, you will need to strap the ceiling 12" on centers, and will need to ring the perimeter with molding when finished.
One way to minimize the taping is to not tape the ceiling/wall intersection, but rather use a crown/bed molding to hide the gaps. I wouldn't do it unless a client asked, but it does cut down on some of the work.

buletbob

I agree with the rest of the posters . install the Sheetrock. And may i add, install some fiberglass unfaced insulation in the ceiling it will cut down on the noise transmitted through the floor above. Good luck Bob.