If you are in process or just getting started remodeling the basement, maybe even just looking for a way to clean things up in an almost finished lower level, installing a drop ceiling in a basement might be the trick you are looking for. These types of ceilings work well in just about any room, but they particularly work well in rooms like basements where you have much more to deal with overhead.
Drop Ceiling 101
Although made famous and probably more common in public facilities like schools and offices, this type of ceiling is a very popular option for a basement. Basically, it’s an easy to install ceiling that simply hangs from the joists in your basement ceiling. It’s overall framework is a metal structure where fitted ceiling tiles easily slide into place. In fact it became so cost efficient and popular in big office buildings as it was an easy fix to a problem. It provided space and ease of accessibility to all the duct and electrical work needed. And this is precisely why it’s becoming so popular in basement settings as well.
Pipes, Wires and Ductwork: Pure Ugliness In A Basement
Unfinished basement ceilings are simply ugly and in a basement remodeling project poses one of the major challenges you’ll take in completely refinishing it. If your home is like most, you are likely to have plenty of exposed electrical wires, large runs of ductwork feeding air and heat into other areas of your home, and fairly unattractive pipes that are running water and such to and from your home all throughout the ceiling in your basement. The challenge comes in with being able to cover it all up to make an attractive room but still have access to it without completely tearing up your hard work in case there is ever an emergency that you need to get in there to fix. This is where a drop ceiling in a basement can work wonders for you. With this type of design, you can simply cover it all up with out a whole lot of work and effort. Plus, if something ever goes wrong, you can simply remove a tile (as they are easy to remove) and get in there for any repair work that may need to be done. Not only that, if you ever have a tile that gets damaged from a leaking or dripping pipe in your basement ceiling, you can just remove it, fix the leak, and then replace the ceiling tile with a new one and your as good as new.
Major Advantages Of A Basement Drop/Suspended Ceiling:
Repairs – As we stated just above, this is the absolute big plus of installing this type of ceiling. It makes it easy to get in and correct a problem, and being a homeowner, you know at one time or another you will have a problem that is going to require your attention.
Replacements – If something ever disrupts the natural beauty of it, simply replace it. Ceiling tiles are fairly inexpensive in the overall scheme of things so you should plan on purchasing some extra’s in case you ever need to replace one or two. Who knows, you may have a pipe bust or a little one that forgot to turn off the bathtub just overhead. Having this type of system in place, you’d only have to replace the damaged tiles and not the whole ceiling.
Lighting – Makes it so much easier to install some quality recessed lighting. You’ll have all the room you need to work with and be able to draw in some dramatic appeal with some strategically placed recessed lighting in your basement.
Easy Installation – This is one ceiling where you wouldn’t really need a seasoned professional or contractor to perform. If you consider yourself fairly handy then you can build the basement drop ceiling yourself. The only real trick to it all is making sure that you keep it level which you can do fairly easily with the help of a laser level and snap chalk line (but you’ll need a partner to help you with that one so grab a buddy).
The Problems:
Even though most homeowners could put one of these in as a DIY project with some of the tools they already have laying around the garage, this little project will take some time. Don’t expect to be done with it in a flash. You need to take your time and make sure to measure the frame correctly. Also, leveling can sometimes be a challenge for people to get it straight. Plus, your basement ceiling will sometimes have obstacles that are quite tricky to work around. If you don’t get those elements right, your new drop basement ceiling won’t look as good as it could. If you’re confident that you can do it, then by all means, go for it. But it’s because of these reasons that most homeowners will simply contract out this work. Furthermore, just make sure you have the right amount of space to have one installed as it will be a little lower than the existing height you currently have.
The Wrap-up:
There are definite advantages to going with a drop ceiling in a basement. They are easy to install, hide all those ugly basement ceiling nuances like pipes, wires, and ductwork, easy for repair work to be done and replace damaged tiles, and afford the luxury of recessed lighting.
