drop ceiling or drywall?
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That all depends on how the present ceiling looks now. If the panels are in good shape and are not warped and it's all level, there's no need to rip it out unless you need the extra head room. I plan on installing a drop ceiling in my basement using 2 x 2 tiles.
I am going to use ceiling link. http://www.ceilinglink.com/
This system is good if you dont have tall ceilings.
Just my 2 cents
This system is good if you dont have tall ceilings.
Just my 2 cents
I agree with Todd' statement.
It also depends on the look that you want to have. Drywalled ceilings will have a smoother look and are less expensive to install, however should you ever need access to something above it (electrical, plumbing, etc), you will run into problems.
There is also the repair factor here. If you get a leak its easier to swap out a tile than it is to fix the drywall.
I like the look of the 2x2 tiles and drywall for the appropriate areas.
It also depends on the look that you want to have. Drywalled ceilings will have a smoother look and are less expensive to install, however should you ever need access to something above it (electrical, plumbing, etc), you will run into problems.
There is also the repair factor here. If you get a leak its easier to swap out a tile than it is to fix the drywall.
I like the look of the 2x2 tiles and drywall for the appropriate areas.
this is good news.
do i need to worry about any soundproofing to keep the tiles and rails from rattleing or anything? everything is in good order, no warping or anything. the tiles have a styrofoam board/backing so each tile is about 1.5" thick (it seems). the styrofoam (think beer can cooler) is also in sheets just laying on top of the tiles, and can be removed easily.
are the tiles paintable? everything is white currently and i want to reduce glare.
do i need to worry about any soundproofing to keep the tiles and rails from rattleing or anything? everything is in good order, no warping or anything. the tiles have a styrofoam board/backing so each tile is about 1.5" thick (it seems). the styrofoam (think beer can cooler) is also in sheets just laying on top of the tiles, and can be removed easily.
are the tiles paintable? everything is white currently and i want to reduce glare.
I am looking to but a house and the basement has the perfect configuration for my masterminded theatre. It is finished already and had a drop ceiling as well. I understand this is fine but my concern would be accoustics and rattling from the aluminum supports and such. Do I need to add any insulation above it to better fill it out. I dont know if there is any there at the moment since I am still trying to purchase the house.
That's not necessarily true. Problem is that manufacturers are always changing their tiles every few years, and if you don't happen to have enough spares you're pretty much screwed. This happened with my parents, luckily they found something that was pretty close.
Taylor34
That's not necessarily true. Problem is that manufacturers are always changing their tiles every few years, and if you don't happen to have enough spares you're pretty much screwed. This happened with my parents, luckily they found something that was pretty close.
Taylor34
That would be depend on the tile your using, most have been around for as long as I've been in the industry (16 years) but do change names from time to time depending on the manufacturer. For example a basic tile such as 2x4 Radar which is the cheapest and most commonly used tile around used to be known as 727 (I'm going from memory it's been a while) but is now called 2310, same tile different reference number. Thats not to say that certain tiles may become dated and they'll stop making them but I think those tiles are few and far between.
Saying that I'd never put Grid & Tile in any house. It's just a personal preference but I think it looks tacky and belongs in office buildings and store fronts. I can understand why some people may choose to go that route because of what they have above the ceiling but I'd rather have the DW look and just rip it up if I need to get at something, different strokes for different folks.
That would be depend on the tile your using, most have been around for as long as I've been in the industry (16 years) but do change names from time to time depending on the manufacturer. For example a basic tile such as 2x4 Radar which is the cheapest and most commonly used tile around used to be known as 727 (I'm going from memory it's been a while) but is now called 2310, same tile different reference number. Thats not to say that certain tiles may become dated and they'll stop making them but I think those tiles are few and far between.
Saying that I'd never put Grid & Tile in any house. It's just a personal preference but I think it looks tacky and belongs in office buildings and store fronts. I can understand why some people may choose to go that route because of what they have above the ceiling but I'd rather have the DW look and just rip it up if I need to get at something, different strokes for different folks.
This may not be an option for the OP, but I chose a different option. I screwed 2x4 armstrong acoustic ceiling tiles to the joists and then stapled on some styrofoam 12" x 12" tongue and groove decorative ceiling tiles. It was slightly more expensive than drywall, but it has many advantages in my book.
Better sound absorbtion (so the fam upstairs is as undisturbed as possible)
Easier than hanging drywall on the ceiling by yourself.
Don't have to mud, tape, sand, texture
Preserves headroom vs. dropped ceiling
Nicer looking that dropped ceiling (though arguably not as nice looking as drywall)
Still have easy access to plumbing/electrical/hvac
Better sound absorbtion (so the fam upstairs is as undisturbed as possible)
Easier than hanging drywall on the ceiling by yourself.
Don't have to mud, tape, sand, texture
Preserves headroom vs. dropped ceiling
Nicer looking that dropped ceiling (though arguably not as nice looking as drywall)
Still have easy access to plumbing/electrical/hvac
I'd say drywall, you may not have the tools but I'd bet you could find some one to hang it cheap enough. We have a large open room in the basement, 30'x19' and we paid about $600 to have the drywall hung. It doesn't look like you are talking about a huge area either.
drywall in my area runs about 65 cents a sq.ft finished. I personally would do drywall if you can just because you will have better sound isolation. Do 2 layers of drywall. Add green glue if you can afford it. my theater will have drywall while the rest of my basement has drop ceiling. An option to allow running cables later is to run conduit in the joist from one side of the room to the other so later you could add on.
i would personally go for the drywall - doing double layer in my theatre room with resilient channel... excellent soundproofing option and great look with knock down... a little bit more work
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but better in the long run - how often are you in the ceiling anyway, just plan ahead and go with the drywall
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Aussie
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