The main benefit of installing a drop ceiling in the basement is hiding wiring, plumbing, light fixtures, and even a sprinkler system in the space between the main and drop ceiling. 70 Square Feet - $105 to $157.50. Screw the drywall to the joists using 1-5/8 inch drywall screws every 8 inches along the perimeter and 16 inches in the field. 1. Exposed walls can collect dust and dirt and create areas for unwanted pests to move in. However, there are some things to keep in mind about drop ceiling costs, which we will detail below: Installing a Drop Ceiling Grid Step 8 - Install the main tees of the grid perpendicular to the ceiling joists. Furring strips are long strips of wood that measure 1-inch thick and usually 2 or 3-inches wide. Answer (1 of 2): If the ceiling joists were installed correctly, you should be able to just take the insulation batts and "stuff" them into the cavities between the joists. The average drop ceiling cost ranges from $1/sf to $2/sf. Remember to stagger the planks to reduce waste and create a more natural finish. A 15- or 16-gauge brad nailer with 2-in. In order to put in a drop ceiling, you need to first install a grid system of runners to support your ceiling tiles. I talked with another insulation guy that said he thinks it might trap moisture in the house and cause problems with the ceilings. Steps for Installing a Drop Ceiling. This will help you create tight and fitted corners, which will make the room look larger and classier. You would pay US$ 1,490 for a 130-square foot suspended plastic ceiling and trim. In a nutshell, installing a drop ceiling has several parts: Preparing the space for installation. Tight and clean corners: Tight corners and clean edges can be created when the ceiling pieces are already in place. This can be exhausting and it's easier to make mistakes when setting up drywall on the ceiling. So you've got an unfinished basement but you're not comfortable doing drywall on the ceiling. And it may not even crack at all. Look 1: Cover Your Existing Ceiling Grid. You can simply remove a tile, fix the issue and then put it back. This doesn't include labor, and you'll add between $35.00 to $80.00 an hour for your contractor's price when they install them. Drywall Over A Ceiling. At $5 to $28 per square foot, drop ceilings are more expensive to install than drywall. Cut one flange of the angle and bend it around outside corners. Cutting border panels and then fitting panels into the grid. Drop ceilings are installed by simply mounting them on the substructure of your ceiling while drywalls require you to first cut into the wall around it, then apply insulation and finally install the panels. Most business and commercial buildings do have drop ceilings, even if they buildings are in a region or area that is prone to earthquakes. Step 2. Step 2: Hang the full sheets of drywall to the basement ceiling first. Unpack all panels at least 24 hours prior to installation. When installing drywall onto any concrete surface, including a ceiling, you need to install furring strips. Is drop ceiling more expensive? The first step is to determine the maximum height of the new suspended ceiling. Beautiful Drop Ceiling Tile Options. nails is the best choice for fastening, although an 18-gauge nailer will do the job, too. $0.55 - $0.95 per square foot | Fiberboard Drop Ceiling Tiles. Depending on the state where you live, you may need a building permit before starting your project. In this guide, I will tell you the drop ceiling cost vs. drywall. If you add drywall . Before You Drywall Your Garage #3 - Clear out the corners and small spaces. Second, make sure that the drywall you choose is of the right thickness. PS. Installing drywall costs $1 to $3 per square foot but that does not include painting prices, which are $2 to $6 for each square foot. Drop ceilings are more expensive to install than drywall making drywall the cheaper option. Just something to consider before you drywall the ceiling. The ceiling drywall will be unsupported along the entire length of the one wall. If this number is less than 16 feet, you can buy one strap for each length. Use either nails or screws to attach the drywall to the joists. first, make sure that your Drop ceiling is of the correct size. Step 5. Contractors suggest a drop ceiling in basements where you need to hide these unsightly features, and it leaves you with a stylish basement ceiling. Drop ceilings are typically a few inches lower than a drywall ceiling. Repeat steps 1-4 berayun-ayun your ceiling is covered. It's important to ensure that the framing for the ceiling is perfectly level, and there are some pointers for reinforcing the grid ceiling to be able to support most drywall work. Install the drywall panels, positioning them perpendicular to the ceiling joists. Place insulation on top of your drywall sheets as needed. Drop ceilings, also known as a suspended ceiling, offer many advantages over drywall. I could go on about my dislike of drop ceilings, but I think you get my point. Assuming we're not talking about "fancy" drop ceiling panels, which will likely cost more for me to install, drywall or a drop ceiling. The national average drywall ceiling installation is between $400 and $1,200. Do you install doors before flooring? Given the same walls. All you need to do is install metal tracks that are hung above the ground before layering the tiles between the tracks. And the # 1 Reason Drop Ceilings Suck is(Drum Roll PLEASE!) Below are some of the most sophisticated designs for modern ceiling tiles. This will create a grid with spaces 4' wide by 16' long. Also, adding the drywall is easier if you start from the ceiling down to the walls. In 3 steps, you can completely cover an existing grid with the planks. Snap a chalk line marking the top of the wall angle. Check Your Local Building Codes. Taking these walls for example. Drop ceiling installations are easy and the labor cost should be less than a drywall ceiling. Installation Installation of a drop ceiling is not so complicated process, but definitely, the setup for the install takes a good amount of time and thought even for the professionals Drop Ceiling Cost Higher Ceilings: With typical drop acoustic ceilings, you need at least 3 - 4 inches of clearance from the lowest point of obstruction to get ceiling tiles in place. One of the biggest advantages to installing them after drywall, is that your doors will stay cleaner and will be less likely to be damaged. Then add drywall to the ceiling. Start from the top and then work your way downwards for maximum results. Panels may be stored in areas with a temperature between 60and 80F. Installing the ceiling grid. Click on the photo to go to find it in store. Along the interior joist, install the fasteners at about 12 inches (30 cm) increments. Measure the ceiling across parallel to the joists. Once the diagram is complete, measure one more time to verify your accuracy. Fixing the drywall ceiling with screws. Drive the nails through the shoulder of the tongues into the framing at about a 45-degree angle. Per square foot, you drop ceiling cost will go up between $1.50 and $2.25 to purchase the grid rails. Installing drywall costs $1 to $3 per square foot but that does not include painting prices, which are $2 to $6 for each square foot. Installing drywall costs $1 to $3 per square foot, but that does not include painting prices, which are $2 to $6 for each square foot. With a drop ceiling, you've got the the grid, some specialty tools, and the ceiling panels. Some of these are acoustic tiles designed to absorb noise and reduce echo. Easy Access Tape and block. Drop ceilings are cost-effective, easy to install on your own, and allow you to access ductwork and wires easily after it's been installed. It is recommended to drywall the ceiling first. Outside corner treatment. Use drywall screws to screw the drywall panel to the ceiling joists. Here's why what we decided . Drop ceilings are more expensive to install than drywall making drywall the cheaper option. Step 7 - Install the grid wiring into the joists making them at least 12 inches longer than the height difference between the suspended and primary ceiling. There are surface mount grid ceiling products that require only 1" of head space, which compares to 1/2 drywall and furring. Ceiling First. Most homeowners spend $700 to install -inch fire-resistant drywall ceiling in a 280 sq.ft. There are three main reasons you should install drywall on the ceiling before the walls: Increased ceiling support: Wall pieces aid in supporting the ceiling. However, if you can install a drop ceiling by yourself, you can save on labor costs. #1 reason NOT to go with drywall is access to any runs of wire or pipe in the basement. If you do the walls first, you can end up with drywall that is unsupported along an entire edge. By untwisting these wires, you can remove them from the grid bars. Step- 1: Find the Right Lights The first step is to identify what kind of lights you need. Even an unnoticeable sag can cause a hairline crack. They make your basement "look like a basement"! Is drop ceiling more expensive? If you don't plan to install a drop-in fluorescent . Examine the way the dropped ceiling suspension grid is installed. Just remove old ceiling panels from the grid, snap on EASY UP clips, and slide planks into place, securing them with the clips. The barrier will be sandwiched between the drywall and the rafters and under the blow-in insulation. With some time and effort, the diagram will essential build itself. Finally, you can opt to not install drywall on the ceiling but do in add insulation batts in between the joists, basically this acts like carpet on ceiling and is quite effective at reducing noise. At $5 to $28 per square foot, drop ceilings are more expensive to install than drywall. If you add drywall to the walls. The total would depend on the ceiling area to be covered. Drive the fasteners in .375 inches (0.95 cm) away from the edges of each sheet and space them 7 inches (18 cm) apart along the perimeter. Is drop ceiling more expensive? At the low end of the spectrum, you can spend $60 to install -inch standard drywall ceiling in a 40 sq.ft. This is due to the amount of effort required to install drywall overhead. While you can expect to pay for labor anywhere between $2 to $5 per square foot, ceiling tiles and grid rails cost $3 to $23 per square foot total. If they're falling out, one thing you can do is stretch a string or similar across the ceiling perpendicular to the joists. The "real" way to do it is to install the cans and wire before drywall. Installation Place one screw every 8 to 12 inches. Drive the screws so that the heads press just below the paper's surface, making a dimple. One chore that you should perform before you drywall your garage is to clean out the corners and other smalls areas in and around the studs. Get a partner if it proves too heavy for you! Dropping the faced batts in from the top will . Drop ceilings are typically a few inches lower than a drywall ceiling. Lightly mark any holes you need to cut for light fixtures and where joists are. If you are looking to convert a drop ceiling to drywall, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. On average, the national cost is between $955 and $1,510. At the beginning of this article, I shared that we did both a drop ceiling and a drywall ceiling. One other major difference between drywall and drop ceilings is that the latter offers easy access to plumbing, wiring, and ductwork that may be covered by the ceiling. The standard width for joists is 24 inches. Step 2: Install the Main Grid 4. If you are going to do drop ceiling, don'g get the deep fissure tiles they sell at typical home product store, go for something solid and flat that looks like drywall and a thin profile track instead of the upside down Ts. If you are adding drywall to both the ceiling and the walls of your basement, you may be wondering which one to do first. Be mindful of the fact that the drop ceiling itself has plastic coverings or supports. Whenever some maintenance is required, these areas can be easily accessed if you have a drop ceiling. drywall nails. Overall drywall was the better choice for me, and it looks better in my opinion as well. Hold the full sheet of drywall above your head and fit into position. Begin in a corner and find the best way to face the length of the full sheet. This is so that the wire has enough length to be tied when the grid is attached. So if you have a low ceiling in spots, a drop ceiling can be a pain. Furring strips allow an air gap between the drywall and concrete to allow air to move and prevent mold. Step 1: Setting the Perimeter. Go with drywall with access panel, its worth the bit of extra efforts. Click here to find a drywall specialist. Cost. Press the drywall sheet against the joist with a drywall gondola for about 10 seconds. These panels come in various sizes, but use the largest panels you can safely manipulate to reduce taping. ft project using suspended aluminum-painted ceiling panels and a hidden grid costs US$ 2,710. That gives you the number of straps to be installed. Finally, make sure that both pieces of drywall are covered by a backer board or other coverings to . Drop ceiling installation cost varies greatly by region. You can see it in the picture at the beginning of this article. You don't want the screw head to pop the paper's surface, so don't drive too hard. The other option is to separate your ceiling drywall from the joists using a channel attachment system. Media Platforms Design Team. Purchase rolls or packages of insulation that will fit in the spaces between the ceiling joists. living room. Calculating the amount of strapping you need is simple. If you have a low ceiling then a drop ceiling can be a big problem. Measuring for your border panels and for hanging hardware placement. Drop ceilings are more expensive to install than drywall making drywall the cheaper option. To install a drop ceiling appropriately around ductwork, the ceiling should be 5-7 inches away from any ducting. Put drywall adhesive on the joists. Either way, determine how you can reposition the suspension wires . But you either need a lift or a buddy and know the routine. hallway. 2. How to Install Ceiling Fans. Drywall drop-ceilings can be constructed to cover mechanicals in lower areas while still allowing for higher ceilings in the rest of your living space. $1.75 - $4.75 per square foot | PVC and Vinyl Drop Ceiling Tiles. The next grooved edge will hide the nail holes. We highly recommend watching this video for an . Nail the wall angle at every stud with 1-1/4-in. How to Install a Drop Ceiling in 8 Steps. Measure the ceiling perpendicular to the joists. T TANC Registered Joined Jan 12, 2010 45 Posts Using nails and wire, hang 6' long support wires at 4' intervals from the joists above. Use one of the drop ceiling material calculators to determine how much of each is needed for your ceiling. You may consider purchasing a dehumidifier with a humidity reader for this. But I still get the same old questions about drop ceilings at least once a week. If not, you can run the wire and leave a generous service loop, then install old work cans when the drywall is up. Do not install a drop ceiling in an older house, which has smaller rooms and lower ceiling heights. Take the number of inches and divide by 16, then add 1. This system is applied . In any case, you can install can lights in a drop ceiling by following this guide. No problem! 100 Square Feet - $150 to $225. The remainder is blown with continuous poly vapor. Mark the position of the joists on the sheet. Most professionals will tell you to do the ceiling before the walls. The cost of a drywall ceiling is around $2,500 to $8,000. Before you purchase a drop ceiling, contact your local building authority. Drop ceilings are also not recommended for earthquake zones. Walls First. . If you are looking for a high-end one, a 150 sq. Cut the holes for the ceiling lights using a circle cutter and jab saw, or a roto-tool with drywall attachment. The end result is a job 10 times that of a paper faced job. Most grids are suspended by wires extended down from the true ceiling. You must select a suitable drywall type to address basement issues like moisture and noise. Then use a rotozip (or generically a drywall router) to cut the holes as the drywall goes up. Drywalling the ceiling in a basement or other area is a good option. In fact, it is the one we chose in our own basement. 1.) The reason for putting drywall on the ceiling first is because the walls can then support the edges which will only be attached every 16" Over time, the ceiling drywall can sag and crack. Set up a stepladder tall enough to work. Meanwhile, the national average cost . If you're not into DIY though, consider getting help from a contractor. You can also remove the wires from their mounts in the true ceiling. If you do go with insulating after you hang the ceiling just install a continuous poly vapor barrier, hang the ceiling, then either drop in unfaced attic batts from above or use blown. Since the drop ceiling usually requires 4 to 6 inches below the floor joints to install them if you are dealing with a low basement, these extra inches can make a big difference. Install the long ceiling cross framing pieces by putting one end on the wall channel and supporting the rest with the support wires. Affix the drywall sheets permanently to the ceiling joists. Let your ceiling panels adjust to the environment in the room of installation. Slightly thin your joint compound ("mud") by mixing in a little water. Some municipalities even require you to submit your drop ceiling designs in advance. Ray also. Installing a drop or suspended ceiling couldn't be easier. Also, be sure to check that the relative humidity is below 70%. The drywall jack will lift and hold the panels in place while you insert drywall screws through the panels and into the ceiling joists. Normally interior doors get installed after the drywall is hung, taped, and finished, but you also have the option to start hanging interior doors before drywall. Option Z - wireless headphones. Afterwards, continue fastening the drywall with screws, using an electric screwdriver. No, it's not the end of the world as we know it. This also helps the drywall last a long time. - Jason. Step 2: Install the Long Framing Pieces. For drop ceilings, the cost can range anywhere between $1,026 and $2,931, or $1,946 on average. Installing drywall costs $1 to $3 per square foot but that does not include painting prices, which are $2 to $6 for each square foot. Pick a height so the ceiling tile will clear the lowest ceiling obstruction, like plumbing lines or ductwork. Step Thirteen With drywall, you've got the drywall, mud, screws, paint, a few specialty tools, and rental of a hydrolic panel lifter. 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