The Home Improvement Thread
 

Could have sworn we had this a while ago, but I couldn't find the thread to save my life, so here goes:

My wife and I finally decided to move into town to be closer to work. Bought a really nice spec home with a large unfinished basement. I want to make it the ultimate man-cave and split off a side room to be a workout room. My dad (who works at the local home improvement place that's basically a high-end Lowe's) can get contractor prices on all materials and can do most of the work to finish off the basement.

He's insisting we go with a drop-ceiling because if we had plumbing problems later in life, we'd have to tear out a piece of the ceiling. I REALLY don't like the look of a drop ceiling and can see ourselves spending a lot of time in our basement when it's finished and don't want to feel like I'm staying in an office building.

Does anyone have any advice about cost or pros/cons of both a drop ceiling and a Sheetrock ceiling? The only variables are that my dad and I will do the floors and walls.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

They do make a lot of nice drop tiles that don't look like an office building. He has a good point about accessibility to the plumbing.

My finished basement has drywall on the ceiling and it does look better. It's a choice of how much risk you want to take. How old is your plumbing and what kind? Have you ever had an issue with it?

If I HAD to do a suspended ceiling, I'd go with something like this:
[IMG]http://www.bizrice.com/upload/20120119/Suspended_Ceiling.jpg[/IMG]

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

I mean does your house have drop ceilings anywhere else? You're just as likely to have plumbing problems elsewhere. Not sure I get the point unless there is some reason that the basement would be more likely to have a plumbing issue. Sheet rock it like everyone and everywhere else.

How high is the ceiling? What height would it be after dropping it?

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

That is another consideration because the ceiling will be a foot to a foot-and-a-half lower with the drop ceiling.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

An alternative is to run the plumbing below the sheet rock. Run it tight to the ceiling and paint it. Yes, it breaks up the aesthetic, but not as much as you would think. Hell, it's a basement, even if finished.

I am with you, however, I hate drop ceilings. I have refinished two basements myself and put up sheetrock each time. Not the same situtation entirely b/c, in one, I had enough room to leave a crawl space for access and still have 9' ceilings. In the other, I had no choice but to run the sheetrock right on top of the rafters and leave the plumbing exposed. Like I said, I just painted it and now I don't really even notice it. CRed's seen it (hell, he helped me put it up).

The difference with the basement as opposed to other plumbing in the house is that basements tend to be where the majority of the plumbing is and where it runs horizontally through the house. It then just shoots a vertical to the kitchen or bathrooms (which are usually stacked on the main waste pipe). If the pipes are in good shape (should be since it's a new home), you're probably fine.

One issue I have had is that the pipes occasionally sweat in humid weather. Since they are exposed, I simply dry them off when they do so. If they were covered, it would be an issue.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

Drop cieling is probably more expensive then dry wall. Its really not that big of a deal to cut a section out of the drywall to repair a pipe then repair the drywall. I'd give the pluming a good inspection prior to doing the drywall you may want to use those steal plates where plumbing and wiring is run.

[IMG]http://www.diychatroom.com/attachments/f18/48432d1333332627-running-nm-cable-through-studs-more-nailing-plates.jpg[/IMG]

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

Drop ceiling is always the cheapest way to go unless you bought some really high end tiles.

With that drop ceiling suck. They look ok for the first few years then they just start looking like poop.

Picking dry wall over a drop ceiling is always the way to go if your budget allows it.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

I would definitely prefer the drywall over a dropped ceiling.


Here are a few places you might visit.

[url]https://www.google.com/search?q=sheetrock&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=5fY&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&sclient=psy-ab&q=sheetrock%20vs.%20drop%20ceiling%20for%20basement&oq=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41524429,d.dmQ&fp=f57bf628413e002&biw=1920&bih=1028&pf=p&pdl=300[/url]

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=NC_Skins;991314]I would definitely prefer the drywall over a dropped ceiling.


Here are a few places you might visit.

[URL]https://www.google.com/search?q=sheetrock&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=5fY&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&sclient=psy-ab&q=sheetrock%20vs.%20drop%20ceiling%20for%20basement&oq=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41524429,d.dmQ&fp=f57bf628413e002&biw=1920&bih=1028&pf=p&pdl=300[/URL][/quote]


Wow lots of folks on those boards say sheet rock is cheaper. Never know. Unless they are saying it as a DIY. I think materials are cheaper sheetrock wise but you get burned on the labor.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=mredskins;991315]Wow lots of folks on those boards say sheet rock is cheaper. Never know. Unless they are saying it as a DIY. I think materials are cheaper sheetrock wise but you get burned on the labor.[/quote]

DIY: Drywall will be cheaper than the dropped ceiling.


Paid services: Possibly the drywall will cost more, by not even sure about that to be honest.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=mredskins;991315]Wow lots of folks on those boards say sheet rock is cheaper. Never know. Unless they are saying it as a DIY. I think materials are cheaper sheetrock wise but you get burned on the labor.[/quote]

No way. The labor involved in putting up a proper drop ceiling is definitely more than sheet rock.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

Maintenace is also more on a drop, When the tiles get dirty you replace them at $4 a pop. Sheet rock you paint with a $25 gallon of paint.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

The only place I'd ever use a drop is in a place where is provided some actual functional value. Offices, rooms with constructed ceilings heights that are not conducive to the primary function, etc...

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=FRPLG;991329]No way. The labor involved in putting up a proper drop ceiling is definitely more than sheet rock.[/quote]

I think you may be wrong. Drywall is pretty time consuming.

[B]The Advantage of a Suspended Ceiling vs. Drywall[/B]
Of all the DIY projects you complete for your home, remodeling a room is the most rewarding. All the while you’re working on it, you imagine the beautiful room that is evolving under your creative direction and energies. If your project list includes a ceiling treatment, you may be wondering whether to install a suspended ceiling or a drywall ceiling. There are a number of good reasons DIYers choose [URL="http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na/ceilings/en/us/panels.asp"]suspended ceilings[/URL]. Let’s look at a few.
With a suspended, or “drop,” ceiling, a grid of metal hangs by wires from the ceiling support beams. With the suspension system in place, you simply drop lightweight tiles or panels into each cell of the grid. Suspended ceilings come in a kit, pre-finished, and ready to install with common household tools. The critical part of the installation is leveling your suspended ceiling. A laser level takes only a few minutes to set up and will easily determine precise height measurements.
From start to finish, more physical work goes into a drywall ceiling vs. a suspended ceiling. Drywall sheets average about 60 lbs. and hoisting them up to the ceiling requires two sets of sturdy arms or a drywall lift. After the drywall is attached to the ceiling beams, there is still a lot of finishing work to do, including covering screw heads, sanding and painting.
You can complete a suspended ceiling installation in a weekend. Drywall will take longer due to extended drying and sanding times. As any enthusiastic DIYer knows, time is always of the essence in a remodeling project!
The biggest advantage suspended ceilings have over drywall is that you have easy access to plumbing, cable and electrical wiring and duct work – all of which can be smartly tucked above the grid. Also, if any maintenance issues arise, you simply remove a ceiling tile. If a tile gets damaged, it’s easy to replace it. Any damage done to drywall means tearing down the affected sheet and replacing it with a new one . . . and more prep, sanding and painting.
When it comes to inspiring design, drywall will leave you high and dry, while suspended ceiling options offer unique sizes and styles, like beautiful [URL="http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na/ceilings/en/us/Custom-Creations.html"]coffered panels[/URL] and classic tin looks that can add flair, dimension and warmth to your space. Suspended ceiling tiles also come in paintable white so you can color coordinate the tiles with your walls and floors.
When investing your time and effort in a ceiling remodeling project, you’ll get a better return and beautiful looks by choosing a suspended ceiling.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

I agree hanging dry wall as a DIY project is not easy and a drop ceiling would be alot easier but more expensive. I have done my share of dry wall and found that the ceiling is much harder then the walls.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

Just got to read all your posts and I really appreciate all the input.

The house is a new build, so we won't really know about any existing plumbing issues. Also, if people are saying Sheetrock is cheaper, I would definitely do that route. The workout room will be the only closed room really while the rest of the basement would be around 1000-1200 sq. ft.

Monkeydad, I actually didn't mind the look of those at all.

Everyone else: I think we can offset the cost of hiring a pro to do the ceiling since my dad and I can do the walls and floors.

So based on what everyone said, I THINK I'm gonna' go with Sheetrock. Thanks all!

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=mredskins;991334]I think you may be wrong. Drywall is pretty time consuming.

[B]The Advantage of a Suspended Ceiling vs. Drywall[/B]
Of all the DIY projects you complete for your home, remodeling a room is the most rewarding. All the while you’re working on it, you imagine the beautiful room that is evolving under your creative direction and energies. If your project list includes a ceiling treatment, you may be wondering whether to install a suspended ceiling or a drywall ceiling. There are a number of good reasons DIYers choose [URL="http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na/ceilings/en/us/panels.asp"]suspended ceilings[/URL]. Let’s look at a few.
With a suspended, or “drop,” ceiling, a grid of metal hangs by wires from the ceiling support beams. With the suspension system in place, you simply drop lightweight tiles or panels into each cell of the grid. Suspended ceilings come in a kit, pre-finished, and ready to install with common household tools. The critical part of the installation is leveling your suspended ceiling. A laser level takes only a few minutes to set up and will easily determine precise height measurements.
From start to finish, more physical work goes into a drywall ceiling vs. a suspended ceiling. Drywall sheets average about 60 lbs. and hoisting them up to the ceiling requires two sets of sturdy arms or a drywall lift. After the drywall is attached to the ceiling beams, there is still a lot of finishing work to do, including covering screw heads, sanding and painting.
You can complete a suspended ceiling installation in a weekend. Drywall will take longer due to extended drying and sanding times. As any enthusiastic DIYer knows, time is always of the essence in a remodeling project!
The biggest advantage suspended ceilings have over drywall is that you have easy access to plumbing, cable and electrical wiring and duct work – all of which can be smartly tucked above the grid. Also, if any maintenance issues arise, you simply remove a ceiling tile. If a tile gets damaged, it’s easy to replace it. Any damage done to drywall means tearing down the affected sheet and replacing it with a new one . . . and more prep, sanding and painting.
When it comes to inspiring design, drywall will leave you high and dry, while suspended ceiling options offer unique sizes and styles, like beautiful [URL="http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na/ceilings/en/us/Custom-Creations.html"]coffered panels[/URL] and classic tin looks that can add flair, dimension and warmth to your space. Suspended ceiling tiles also come in paintable white so you can color coordinate the tiles with your walls and floors.
When investing your time and effort in a ceiling remodeling project, you’ll get a better return and beautiful looks by choosing a suspended ceiling.[/quote]
I've done both. Doing drop ceilings well can be hard. I hate doing sheet rock too but never a drop again. I actually have sworn to never do sheet rock either. I'll build my next house myself but I'll hire someone to sheet rock it. Pros do such a better job and like 10x as fast.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

I was looking at some estimate websites and I'm reading it should cost around 1500-2000 for materials and labor. Does that sound about right?

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;991370]I was looking at some estimate websites and I'm reading it should cost around 1500-2000 for materials and labor. Does that sound about right?[/quote]

for what part?

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=FRPLG;991332]Maintenace is also more on a drop, When the tiles get dirty you replace them at $4 a pop. Sheet rock you paint with a $25 gallon of paint.[/quote]

How does a ceilings get dirty? They show leaks but so does sheet rock.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=FRPLG;991332]Maintenace is also more on a drop, When the tiles get dirty you replace them at $4 a pop. Sheet rock you paint with a $25 gallon of paint.[/quote]

[IMG]http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/658403_front500.jpg[/IMG]

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=FRPLG;991373]for what part?[/quote]

Sheetrock ceiling and labor.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;991381]Sheetrock ceiling and labor.[/quote]

How big is the room?


I plan to fix some cracks in my plaster within the year, and I plan on doing it via drywall. DIY of course.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Monkeydad;991376][IMG]http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/658403_front500.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

How is that stuff? I have a water stain on one of my ceilings, I'm not crazy about the idea of re-painting the whole damn thing so is this stuff any good?

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;991381]Sheetrock ceiling and labor.[/quote]

That seems high. Especially considering there are plenty of contractors needing work. Is the room huge?

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;991387]How is that stuff? I have a water stain on one of my ceilings, I'm not crazy about the idea of re-painting the whole damn thing so is this stuff any good?[/quote]

Seems worth a shot. At worst you paid a few bucks and still need to repaint the whole thing. At best you saved some money and a bunch of time.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;991387]How is that stuff? I have a water stain on one of my ceilings, I'm not crazy about the idea of re-painting the whole damn thing so is this stuff any good?[/quote]

That's for painting ceiling tiles in a drop ceiling. If you need to paint buy those 18" rollers it cuts the time in half.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=FRPLG;991392]That seems high. Especially considering there are plenty of contractors needing work. Is the room huge?[/quote]

Pretty big. For both rooms, it'll be around 1600-1700 sq. ft.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

Drop ceiling is much more practical, dads are right as usual. Don't you have any electrical running along the ceiling in your basement? We did. How about your backup FiOS battery, or whatever other support system you have for phone. All that kind of stuff needs to remain accessible.

[QUOTE=Schneed10;991479]Drop ceiling is much more practical, dads are right as usual. Don't you have any electrical running along the ceiling in your basement? We did. How about your backup FiOS battery, or whatever other support system you have for phone. All that kind of stuff needs to remain accessible.[/QUOTE]

Dude who stores their Fios battery in the ceiling? Mine is on the wall in the unfinished part of my basement. With your logic the whole house should be drop ceiling. Might as well move into a office building.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Schneed10;991479]Drop ceiling is much more practical, dads are right as usual. Don't you have any electrical running along the ceiling in your basement? We did. How about your backup FiOS battery, or whatever other support system you have for phone. All that kind of stuff needs to remain accessible.[/quote]

News flash. You have electrical and plumbing running along your house every where. Might as well have drop ceiling and removable panels on the walls throughout. It really isn't a major issue to access the ceiling through drywall. Sure if you have to do it on any type of regular basis it could make sense to drop it but there should be no need for that type of access really.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Schneed10;991479]Drop ceiling is much more practical, dads are right as usual. Don't you have any electrical running along the ceiling in your basement? We did. How about your backup FiOS battery, or whatever other support system you have for phone. All that kind of stuff needs to remain accessible.[/quote]

I'll have wires, but FiOS remains a distant dream where I live.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;991660]I'll have wires, but FiOS remains a distant dream where I live.[/quote]

Same here in rural Pennsyltucky. I have no clue what these FiOS batteries for your home are.

Been waiting for and calling Verizon for years asking if they've hit the boonies with their FiOS yet...nope.


I wouldn't make any permanent building designs based on the technology of today anyway...it changes so frequently and the current technology is often short-lived.

You can build to accommodate, but you shouldn't base your home's design/structure around current technology.


Look how many people have built-in holes in their wall that were designed for tube TVs...that are now just a waste of space and don't work for flat panels very well. They just toss a statue or potted plant in the hole.

[IMG]http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/120126j.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://imagesus.homeaway.com/mda01/74ca57c3-a4a6-49ec-8696-4ac0a31e37b7.1.12[/IMG]

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Monkeydad;991770]Same here in rural Pennsyltucky. I have no clue what these FiOS batteries for your home are.

Been waiting for and calling Verizon for years asking if they've hit the boonies with their FiOS yet...nope.


I wouldn't make any permanent building designs based on the technology of today anyway...it changes so frequently and the current technology is often short-lived.

You can build to accommodate, but you shouldn't base your home's design/structure around current technology.


Look how many people have built-in holes in their wall that were designed for tube TVs...that are now just a waste of space and don't work for flat panels very well. They just toss a statue or potted plant in the hole.

[IMG]http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/120126j.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://imagesus.homeaway.com/mda01/74ca57c3-a4a6-49ec-8696-4ac0a31e37b7.1.12[/IMG][/quote]

The house we are building our TV cabnet is going to be built after every thing has been done. Its in the corner so if we decide to remove it the only thing we will have to do is patch some nail holes and do a little painting.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;991387]How is that stuff? I have a water stain on one of my ceilings, I'm not crazy about the idea of re-painting the whole damn thing so is this stuff any good?[/quote]

matty if you are covering up a water stain you have to use an oil based paint. it's a pain in the ass to clean up, but water stains will bleed through water based latex paint. best bet is to buy some oil based primer sealer in a spray can, spray the area and come back and go over it w flat white ceiling paint. it sounds like a pain, but isn't too bad, just takes time, it's the only water to properly cover up a water stain.


and as for drop ceiling vs drywall, only use drop ceilings where you are forced to. no matter how well built the ceiling is it will require more maintence than a drywalled ceiling 9 times out of 10. THE MAIN THING YOU NEED TO DO WHEN INSTALLING DRYWALL IS USE SCREWS AND GLUE. if you hire someone make sure they do this. it will save you from many nail pops down the line.

and lastly as far as pricing goes, not sure about where you are in va, but in northen va you are looking at around $40 a sheet, hung and finished. you could probably find someone to do it a little cheaper, but then you'd be calling someone like me to come and fix their mistakes. it's easier and cheaper to do it right the first time.

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

ive learned 2 things with my home improvement adventures . .

1 - it is really hard fixing things with one hand but i am getting better and better each time

2- caulk is very hard to get to look smooth, is a pain to get out of brick and you should use caulk rope if you have to cover a gap bigger than 1/4 inch

3- the caulk jokes are not appreciated by the female race. they have a very low tolerance to "hon, can you help with this caulk", "while i got my caulk out, you got any holes you need me for?", insert any generic caulk joke.

4- i apologize for this post

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

What happened to your other hand...if you don't mind my asking

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

[quote=over the mountain;1015198]ive learned 2 things with my home improvement adventures . .

1 - it is really hard fixing things with one hand but i am getting better and better each time

2- caulk is very hard to get to look smooth, is a pain to get out of brick and you should use caulk rope if you have to cover a gap bigger than 1/4 inch

3- the caulk jokes are not appreciated by the female race. they have a very low tolerance to "hon, can you help with this caulk", "while i got my caulk out, you got any holes you need me for?", insert any generic caulk joke.

4- i apologize for this post[/quote]


[IMG]http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_8572.jpg[/IMG]

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

SS - ice cold can of beer, preferably without paint chips floating in it. i just cannot sacrifice the beer, i dont even really drink it, i pretty much just hold it and wish i had 2 hands ... im a really stubborn idiot

Mred - i tried one of those, i tried a damp finger, i tried the foaming insulation then tried to sand paper it down.

i think my real problem was i was trying to use acrylic caulk around my entire front door frame which had an exposed gap going all the way around varying from 1/2 to 2 inches wide and very deep . . .

Re: The Home Improvement Thread
 

I prefer drop ceilings because they have various size and you can buy it at a cheap or expensive rate. Therefore you should go to buy them because they can buy in even low cost and high quality.