You have arrived at another critical planning point in your remodel. The walls have been laid out, plumbing done and electrical systems ran. Now you need to decide on what you will choose to do with your ceiling.When it comes to ceilings in basements there are really only two possibilities. The first of which would be dry-walling it like the remainder of your home (presumably). The second option is installing a drop ceiling.
Let us take a look at both options.
Option number one and in no particular order will be dry walling your ceiling. Many homeowners choose this option out of aesthetic purposes. The flow of your home is carried along into your basement this way and it creates a traditional feel. Dry walling does have downfalls though including sometimes prohibitive costs and lack of access to plumbing, electrical, and air ducting in your home. If anything were to go wrong with a bathroom or kitchen water or sewer line in the future you would have to tear out your new ceiling to repair them. For this reason it is recommended to use a drop ceiling in most basement remodels.
Drop ceilings have had a stigma for many years. Many people feel that they belong in offices and mobile homes. Modern manufacturers have come a long way in style and design choices in recent years and I would implore you to take a look at them. Many options are available from colors to mirrored even clear panels for anything from a traditional to a contemporary look. Drop panels also allow access to any existing plumbing and electrical systems as well as the ability to be changed out easily if they become damaged. Modern drop ceiling panels even offer substantial sound deadening qualities.
When deciding between the two take a look at your existing structure. You will need to keep a minimum of seven and one half feet from the floor (after you install your subfloor) and need to stay below air ducts and sewer lines. Dry walled ceilings in basements will generally need a structure built under your floor and plumbing to attach to thereby further using space. Drop ceilings hang from wires suspended from your joists and further supported by brackets along the wall. While many of you will need to have a drywall ceiling professionally installed most homeowners can install there own drop ceilings with time and patience.
Now that we have discussed some of the options in basement ceilings I hope you will find it easier to make a choice. Next in my articles on basement remodeling we will discuss your ceiling light installations and start on flooring.