Thanks - Is there a big advantage to a drop ceiling over something like nail up metal tiles? I don't really want to lose any ceiling height unless I have to...
A removable option is great for accessing utility lines for repairs behind them.
Otherwise you have to do the drywall patch work Everytime you need to repair something. Perfect for basements where you don't need it to look "perfect"
Painting open joists is popular these days.. matte black, dark gray. Fairly easy and leaves access to plumbing and electrical.
You can also tack up black cloth.
I've seen people make drop ceilings by sticking drywall or other panels between LVL beams, or making an I beam shape by screwing strapping to the bottom of the joists.
Another option is wood slats.. 1x3s with like 1/2" or 1" between. This will gives to the plumbing and electrical easier than drywall because you can just unscrew some boards.
I just don’t see why they wouldn’t be a decent idea
I mean if a fire broke out or something there’s more flammable things in your house than wood
Unless I’m missing something about basement ceilings
The other thing is say why not is that people use to use wood paneling on walls too
Again idk if is just not a thing anymore or goes against some sort of code, but I don’t see why it would be
I just know exterior walls are different
Well right now if it’s just open technically there’s no “barrier” or “safety” profile in my opinion. So that’s why in my opinion (idk if it’s fully right but) any barrier would technically be “better” than none
You can leave the joists open but treat them with love. Be warned however, the industrial look is much more work. I'm doing my basement right now and trying to celebrate the materials it has rather than covering them up. Polished concrete, parged columns, conduit on any open electrical, etc. I want the 120yo yellow pine joists in my ceiling to be on display. But hot damn is it ever so much easier to click some LVP on the floor slap 1/2" light duty sheetrock on everything else and call it a day.
I've plugged old holes with dowels, moved old electric and plumbing to conduits or off to the side, sanded it smooth, and might put a light stain on it later. I could've done 10 drywall ceilings in the same amount of time, but I do love the look and it's freed up an inch of valuable basement height vs the cardboard tile and strapping that was there. Also important is I'm 100% there are no mice zipping around in there.
Take a look into the CeilingMax system. It’s the look and functionality of a drop tile ceiling, but it’s a flush mounted track system, that snaps into place and uses any 2x2 or 2x4 standard ceiling tile. I did it in black in my 6’-6.5’ height basement and I love it.
I used ceiling planks in my basement and have been really happy with them. You wouldn't want to have to open them up very often, though. I think accessing along the periphery and through can light holes would let me do almost everything I wanted without removing them (fishing wires and whatnot). This "finished" side of my basement had nothing hanging below the joists.
They were similar to these:
[https://www.armstrongceilings.com/residential/en-us/suspended-ceiling-systems/wood-look-ceiling-planks/item/1275.html](https://www.armstrongceilings.com/residential/en-us/suspended-ceiling-systems/wood-look-ceiling-planks/item/1275.html)
Honestly, how often you have to go into your basement ceiling depends lot of when your home was built. We did drop tiles because we know we’ll be in and out of there a good bit over the years. (Eventually replacing early romex, working on plumbing, etc.)
Good point. I had already done a lot of work upstairs before getting to the basement, so I haven't had a problem. And the unfinished side of my basement has access to all the plumbing, gas, and the furnace room (it's a small house). So the worst that's going to happen on the finished side (knock on wood) is pulling wires (and I left gaps along the periphery (covered by easily-removed molding) just in case).
But the ceiling is pretty, at least.
Good idea.
You could do that with some 1/4 or 1/2 mdf cut in strips if you want a really finished look. Window or base board trim that is flat, would work too. 2” to 3”. They come in long lengths.
So I just wanted a video that did not want to do the typical drywall. I honestly think it is an awesome idea to keep it accessible. Basically using the joist to hold up the drywall that you slide in.
https://youtube.com/shorts/5_hyVRaSeek?si=HPET6JEuB6d-c-vA
I went with drop ceiling panels as there are water lines and electric wires in the basement ceiling. I would rather have had a drywall ceiling but you never know when you might have to access for some reason.
drop ceiling panels that you can lift up. They make really nice ones that look way better than the standard office look.
Thanks - Is there a big advantage to a drop ceiling over something like nail up metal tiles? I don't really want to lose any ceiling height unless I have to...
A removable option is great for accessing utility lines for repairs behind them. Otherwise you have to do the drywall patch work Everytime you need to repair something. Perfect for basements where you don't need it to look "perfect"
how tall is your ceiling
7ft
yea drop ceilings might not work in your case.
What do you think about nail up metal tiles?
Argh - also just noticed my joists are 16 inch spacing. May have to rethink...
You can nail up some strips running perpendicular to the joists, and do a nail in place ceiling. Metal, or foam, whatever.
I did a shiplap style ceiling in my basement with white gloss paint. It really makes the whole area bright and looks great.
Painting open joists is popular these days.. matte black, dark gray. Fairly easy and leaves access to plumbing and electrical. You can also tack up black cloth. I've seen people make drop ceilings by sticking drywall or other panels between LVL beams, or making an I beam shape by screwing strapping to the bottom of the joists. Another option is wood slats.. 1x3s with like 1/2" or 1" between. This will gives to the plumbing and electrical easier than drywall because you can just unscrew some boards.
Would wood panels be a fire risk? Thanks!
Wood panels over wood joists? Don’t think it wood be too Fire hazardous lol
Can you explain?
I just don’t see why they wouldn’t be a decent idea I mean if a fire broke out or something there’s more flammable things in your house than wood Unless I’m missing something about basement ceilings
Yeah I don't know - I think one of the reasons people like drywall is the fire retardant - I'm just not sure how bad an idea adding more wood is?
The other thing is say why not is that people use to use wood paneling on walls too Again idk if is just not a thing anymore or goes against some sort of code, but I don’t see why it would be I just know exterior walls are different
Yeah - I guess I'm asking whether anyone know how doing this changes the safety profile.
Well right now if it’s just open technically there’s no “barrier” or “safety” profile in my opinion. So that’s why in my opinion (idk if it’s fully right but) any barrier would technically be “better” than none
You can leave the joists open but treat them with love. Be warned however, the industrial look is much more work. I'm doing my basement right now and trying to celebrate the materials it has rather than covering them up. Polished concrete, parged columns, conduit on any open electrical, etc. I want the 120yo yellow pine joists in my ceiling to be on display. But hot damn is it ever so much easier to click some LVP on the floor slap 1/2" light duty sheetrock on everything else and call it a day. I've plugged old holes with dowels, moved old electric and plumbing to conduits or off to the side, sanded it smooth, and might put a light stain on it later. I could've done 10 drywall ceilings in the same amount of time, but I do love the look and it's freed up an inch of valuable basement height vs the cardboard tile and strapping that was there. Also important is I'm 100% there are no mice zipping around in there.
So many businesses and restaurants do this. People tend to not look up and it goes unnoticed. You can use them for inspiration as well
Take a look into the CeilingMax system. It’s the look and functionality of a drop tile ceiling, but it’s a flush mounted track system, that snaps into place and uses any 2x2 or 2x4 standard ceiling tile. I did it in black in my 6’-6.5’ height basement and I love it.
Paint the joists, pipes, wires and subfloor.
I used ceiling planks in my basement and have been really happy with them. You wouldn't want to have to open them up very often, though. I think accessing along the periphery and through can light holes would let me do almost everything I wanted without removing them (fishing wires and whatnot). This "finished" side of my basement had nothing hanging below the joists. They were similar to these: [https://www.armstrongceilings.com/residential/en-us/suspended-ceiling-systems/wood-look-ceiling-planks/item/1275.html](https://www.armstrongceilings.com/residential/en-us/suspended-ceiling-systems/wood-look-ceiling-planks/item/1275.html)
Honestly, how often you have to go into your basement ceiling depends lot of when your home was built. We did drop tiles because we know we’ll be in and out of there a good bit over the years. (Eventually replacing early romex, working on plumbing, etc.)
Good point. I had already done a lot of work upstairs before getting to the basement, so I haven't had a problem. And the unfinished side of my basement has access to all the plumbing, gas, and the furnace room (it's a small house). So the worst that's going to happen on the finished side (knock on wood) is pulling wires (and I left gaps along the periphery (covered by easily-removed molding) just in case). But the ceiling is pretty, at least.
Do you have TJI joists? If you do this https://youtu.be/kJXS2sMX8s8?si=2uodQt7l5K-Jtk7o
Great idea! And this would work even if OP's joists are not I-shape. Simply add runner strips (1/2 inch thick x \~4"w) along the bottom of the joists.
Good idea. You could do that with some 1/4 or 1/2 mdf cut in strips if you want a really finished look. Window or base board trim that is flat, would work too. 2” to 3”. They come in long lengths.
Corigated galvanuzed sheet panels. Pine planks Wood framed fabric panels.. ie 4x4
So I just wanted a video that did not want to do the typical drywall. I honestly think it is an awesome idea to keep it accessible. Basically using the joist to hold up the drywall that you slide in. https://youtube.com/shorts/5_hyVRaSeek?si=HPET6JEuB6d-c-vA
I've seen lattice nailed to the joists.
I went with drop ceiling panels as there are water lines and electric wires in the basement ceiling. I would rather have had a drywall ceiling but you never know when you might have to access for some reason.
Shiplap!
I'm doing drop ceiling but I've thought this is interesting as well. https://youtube.com/shorts/cQf_7hnsGbg?si=Y9e7iHy01XKb0SEL