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Weighing your Options for a Finished Basement Ceiling
By Elana Watson
You may nearly done with a big basement makeover, finishing the space so that you can use it as a media room, entertainment space, hobby room or home office. But just as you are getting ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor you look up and wonder what to do with the basement ceiling. Basement ceilings have their own special challenges: For starters, they contain plumbing, mechanical ductwork and electrical wiring systems for the house. If you add a ceiling, you need a way to access these systems for repairs or upgrades in the future. Secondly, basement ceilings can be low to begin with which can impact your options for finishing the ceiling. Here are the three major choices available for finishing a basement ceiling along with their pros and cons. Choice # 1: A Dropped or Suspended Ceiling • PROS: A dropped or suspended ceiling is one of the best looking options you can choose and it leaves you total access to the systems hidden behind the ceiling panels. Dropped ceilings also let you add florescent lighting fixtures and panels where you choose. Dropped or suspended ceilings are lightweight, relatively easy to install and can be trimmed around pipes, ductwork and other obstacles. • CONS: A dropped ceiling system will lower the height of your basement ceiling by at least four inches, and more likely six to eight inches. It is also one of the most expensive options you can choose.
Choice #2: Drywall Ceilings • PROS: A drywall ceiling is considerably less expensive than a dropped or suspended ceiling and can be painted however you choose. You also get a smooth continuous ceiling without the grid image presented with a suspended ceiling. • CONS: Drywall is not easy to install and can be heavy for an average DIY homeowner to install overhead. If you decide to drywall your basement ceiling, choose ¼ inch drywall to reduce the weight and install the drywall with screws instead of nails. This is because a drywall ceiling in the basement has the disadvantage of covering up the wiring, plumbing, etc. in the ceiling. Preplanning the layout of your drywall panels and using screws can make it easier to remove panels should you ever have to make a repair behind the ceiling. Choice #3: Painting the Ceiling • PROS: Painting your ceiling in a deep solid color like black, dark blue or gray can make the ceiling systems seemingly disappear. Rent spray painting equipment for an even finish that’s easy to apply. This is the easiest and least expensive option for giving your basement ceiling a finished look and it will be a simple task if you ever need to access wiring or a heating vent in the future. • CONS: The painted ceiling doesn’t give your basement as ‘finished’ a look and won’t provide the same noise reduction as a suspended ceiling or drywall, so it may not be a good choice for a media room. But it might be a perfect choice for a game room, play room or an entertainment space with industrial appeal.
Photo from Flickr - "Faux tin suspended ceiling tiles" courtesy of
nagolya .
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Large Sculptures
Large Size Sculptures for Your Home
www.americanartisanart.com/large-art.html
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Thanks for the pros and cons regarding the best type of ceiling to use in a basement remodel. Great info!
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