Ceilings: Hard or "soft"??

parabolic

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Yah, I set up a few people here with that title, but I actually have a real question.
Im trying to decide between a plasterboard (hard) ceiling and a drop ceiling. Its in a basement, and the joists are just over 8 foot off the floor. Ive always preferred a plasterboard ceiling as it looks more finished. However, as much area as my arcade is taking up - and under water lines, etc - I was considering a drop Ceiling. Of course it comes down to price as well. Plasterboard is only 7.00 for 32 sq feet (4x8 sheet), and drop is around 105.00 (not including the gridwork or other hardware) for 128 sq feet. so I can cover the same amount with plasterboard for 28.00.
The cost factor comes in at over 600 sq foot - you know.
So Id like to get some opinions as well as pictures from all you dedicated arcade guys on "how you roll".
Lighting will consist of flourescent black lighting (4 foot tubes) and multiple - dimmable resessed cans. Either way the ceiling will need to be painted black as well.
I think thats it.
 
basement= drop celing Or do what i did and paint it all flat black to take the attention off of it..


You dont want to have sheetrock when a pipe breaks, bathtub overflows or you need to work on the electriacl of something...


Like i said i went cheap and just sprayed everything flat black, pipes joists wiring all of it...


try it anyways, youll only be out 20-40 bucks for paint...can always cover it up witrh one of the methods your thinking of if you dont like it.
 
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I'd do some more shopping. $105 for 128 Sq. Ft sounds really high, you must be looking at some fancy tiles or something. You should be able to do a standard drop ceiling for the same cost as plasterboard or drywall.

This is your arcade so my vote is go with what you like. I personally like the commercial look of a drop ceiling and will probably go that route if I can ever get my basement done. As already mentioned it's just easier as well to access pipes and wire whenever you need or want to.
 
I say if you have plumbing running over head go drop ceiling. It is pretty easy to install and you can probably knock it out faster. Drywall you would have to tape, and paint. i would think you should be able to buy a drop ceiling in black but maybe it is cheaper to just buy standard and spray it.
 
Id use drywall if you have no pipes or other areas you may need to access, if you need to get in there in the future go with the drop cieling. Course, you say your painting it black, Id leave the rafters exposed and get a paint gun and spray everything, like the other guy did. That looks sharp with a dark color
 
I finished my basement all in drywall. The drop ceiling is nice too since helping a friend a year ago do his. Drywall is cheaper but renting a hoist, aside the rental factor, if you're doing it yourself-- kinda makes life allot easier. If I had to do it all over again on the ceiling, I'd do the tiled ceiling for sure. Easiest method once you start the first grid! No sanding, mudding, taping suckage to boot either-- Good luck in your decision!
 
Thanks fo rthe replies so far guys. I guess its more of a lower level than a basement. 1950 sq feet of unfinished area already stubbed for a bathroom and kitchen area. It has a sliding door and 2 windows. My house is 2 stories on top of that. I guess I dont view that any diffrent than any other level. If I have a pipe burst or bathtub overflow on the top level, it would be no diffrent.
As far as ceiling tiles, I just did a google search for acoustical tiles and thats 1 that came out. If I could find 32 square feet for 7.00 Id go that route. That would be 4 2x4 tiles. So that would come out to about 1.75 a tile - I really dont think thats possible. and of course you would then have the gridwork and hardware cost. Taping and mudding isnt an issue for me. I have alot of experience with this.
I guess I like the easy access for the reasons already listed for a drop ceiling and If someone has a "hook up" for this stuff, Id like to know - I guess it would sway me in that direction.
Plus its a hell of alot easier (on the back) to install instead of plasterboard :)
 
Drop is the only way to go. Drywall looks better, but, like everyone else has said, you're going to want to get to those pipes/run wires/run speakers/install lights sooner or later.
 
Drop is the only way to go. Drywall looks better, but, like everyone else has said, you're going to want to get to those pipes/run wires/run speakers/install lights sooner or later.
More of a pre plan thing - Ill have all that wired before the board or grid goes in. The deciding factor is of course money. SOMEONE please tell me where I can get standard 2x4 foot tiles to cover about 600sq ft for about $2 or under per tile.
Oh yah, my ceiling is already insulated, so painting th existing, well, isnt happening. :)
 
If you have newer plumbing (anything but galvanized) you will probably NEVER have a leaky pipe you can also put in Drywall access doors that are flush mount to access any valves. As far as adding wires or anything later it's not to hard to fish that but like you said just think about everything ahead of time, it's not like later on your gonna decide to mount 50 flat screen TVs to your ceiling.
 
More of a pre plan thing - Ill have all that wired before the board or grid goes in. The deciding factor is of course money. SOMEONE please tell me where I can get standard 2x4 foot tiles to cover about 600sq ft for about $2 or under per tile.
Oh yah, my ceiling is already insulated, so painting th existing, well, isnt happening. :)

So you're going to pre-plan for that busted pipe or leaky bathtub?
 
If you have newer plumbing (anything but galvanized) you will probably NEVER have a leaky pipe you can also put in Drywall access doors that are flush mount to access any valves. As far as adding wires or anything later it's not to hard to fish that but like you said just think about everything ahead of time, it's not like later on your gonna decide to mount 50 flat screen TVs to your ceiling.
Yah, House is brand new - well, was built in 07 and never lived in. So yah, all new plumbing - it even has the new pvc flex line for the water lines instead of copper. Not sure If I like that yet.
 
So you're going to pre-plan for that busted pipe or leaky bathtub?
Yah - I preplan all my disasters and misfortunes - dont you??
:rolleyes:
I meant for speakers, lighting, neon, cameras, etc.
Im actually running some pvc conduit for long runs of all the low voltage stuff listed above. So if int the future I need a new drop its at least easier to feed it.
I wasnt looking for a debate on which one is better, more like looking for costs and some low cost places to get drop ceiling stuff. I guess I should have said I am planning on putting up a drywall ceiling, get some low cost prices to gether and talk me out of it.
Personally I like the "living area look" of drywall over the stereotypical drop ceiling "basement" look. but prepped the right way and painted black I wouldnt mind. If the cost was close.
 
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Here you go, 64 Sq. Ft. for $29.76....

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

So 128 Sq. Ft. would run 59.52, so after gridding and hardware its about twice as much as your drywall figure, but half as much as what you figured for a drop ceiling. Basically your paying for better acoustics and less maintenance.

I still say go with your preference, youll be happier, no matter how many opinions you get.

Whoever mentioned renting a hoist, why would you need that for an 8' ceiling? A simple ladder will do.
 
what's your time and labor worth? By the time you tape and mud and sand.... I'd go with the drop ceiling... Just thinking about hanging that much sheetrock on the ceiling makes my back hurt.
 
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