This is what I inherited from previous owner: fully finished basement with suspended ceiling and full paneling. However, I suspect all this was done as an afterthought by a handyman, with no real thought to insulation along the outer walls; therefore, it's cold down there.
Instead of ripping off and replacing the entire ceiling and all the paneling - paneling extends about 5-6" above the ceiling grid - is it do-able to take off only the grid runner and paneling along the outer walls, insulate and replace the paneling? Must I install sheetrock beneath the paneling?
Also, should I decide to replace all the paneling (I can live with it, but it's not something I would have chosen), is it advisable and do-able to place new paneling over the old? How would I go about doing this? And how would I deal with electric outlets that would then be recessed deeper from the surface of the new paneling?
Thanks in advance for any and all advice
Sid Waine