Finishing my basement ceiling options

[Yup!]

Do I put in a suspended ceiling or Sheetrock it?

if I suspend it, it will be about 8ft, but with Sheetrock I gain a foot to about 9 foot?

 

[451_Detonics]

wish I had that option, mine is suspended with barely enough room to get ceiling tiles in and I am at 7 foot

 

[nate77]

Drop ceiling will make future jobs, like wiring, and new water lines easier, it will also be nice if you have a water leak, just lift the tile fix the leak, then replace the tile.

 

[Yup!]

Drop ceiling will make future jobs, like wiring, and new water lines easier, it will also be nice if you have a water leak, just lift the tile fix the leak, then replace the tile.

ive thought of that, but other than an accidental leak I seen no reason to get up there once I do this...

 

[Suprtek]

Even if I had no plans to do anything, I wouldn't remove my options for easy access to all the stuff you'd be covering up. Also, a drop ceiling gives you all kinds of options for a very cool appearance. Ceiling tiles don't have to be boring.

 

[VN Vet]

It depends on the look you want. For me, an older single man, I'd leave it open and spray paint it a shade of white.

 

[451_Detonics]

very true, however I considered faux tin ceiling tiles but the price was tremendous for the area I needed to do, took close to 200 2X4 tiles...

 

[gregkl]

I guess it depends; will this be a "finished basement" or a new living addition to the home? If it is going to have HVAC ducting, bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and nice flooring, lighting, and trim work then I would sheetrock it. Make it look like your upstairs so if/when you sell it, it will be viewed as additional square footage.

If it will still feel like a basement when you are done with it, suspend the ceiling.

 

[Yup!]

It will still be a basement when I'm done. Not much more than a treadmill and a TV...

 

[bobbittle]

It will still be a basement when I'm done. Not much more than a treadmill and a TV...

Why bother then?

 

[451_Detonics]

I do use mine as living space...love having the fireplace down stairs and my man cave is in the basement as well...

 

[gregkl]

I do use mine as living space...love having the fireplace down stairs and my man cave is in the basement as well...

Pretty cool! I am hoping that I find the right house with a floor plan that will allow me to build a man cave.

 

[Yup!]

Why bother then?

Its critical to my self defense plan?..

 

[WilsonMD]

I finished my basement ceiling using T-111 plywood siding. I wanted something other than drop ceiling, but wanted access if I ever needed it. I used screws to install, and then painted. I already needed to gain access once, and it was an easy turnaround.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

ive thought of that, but other than an accidental leak I seen no reason to get up there once I do this...

If you have my luck, you'll have an accidental leak. More like several unanticipated leaks.

 

[Lectric102002]

Do I put in a suspended ceiling or Sheetrock it?

if I suspend it, it will be about 8ft, but with Sheetrock I gain a foot to about 9 foot?

Why would you lose a foot if you do grid ? The tees and mains are only 1-1/2" and even if you drop in some lay-in fixtures, you'd still only need 6".

Dollar for dollar, grid is going to be less cost total installed. What with finishing, painting, etc.

 

[dyerwatcher]

I have had a Sheetrock ceiling in three homes. They look nice but I had to open every one up.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I finished my basement ceiling using T-111 plywood siding. I wanted something other than drop ceiling, but wanted access if I ever needed it. I used screws to install, and then painted. I already needed to gain access once, and it was an easy turnaround.

THIS! And if you are concerned with the look, use a brad nailer to tack up trim to cover the seams, and possibly add a grid pattern if you want to get fancy. THen its rip down the relevant trim, unscrew the sheets, fix the problem and put it back.

And a drop ceiling can also work well. I've had no problems moving tiles with only 4" of drop from the floor joists.

 

[dekeshooter]

Paint the bottom of the subfloor, joists, duct work, plumbing and wiring flat black then install recessed can lights.

 

[Knight Rider]

Tongue and groove ceiling planks. Armstrong has several that are OK'd for damp environments also.