I'm finishing my basement. I could use a slight drop ceiling using a system from HD or drywall direct to the joists. If I go the drywall route should I get the ceiling done before studs/drywall to the walls or after? Does it matter? Are both used but one is more preferred?
Peter.
If you go the drywall route, frame the walls first, then board the ceilings, then the walls. Remember either to move shutoffs (ie outside taps, water line to refrigerator, gas, etc.) to an unfinished area or to cut out access panels. (One trick -- leave the framing of any partition walls that would be in the way, until after the drywall has been placed. One pro trick -- order drywall from a place that will "deliver and place" your order. Easier on the back.
Both systems are used, drywall (at least here) is more usual. My personal preference is for drywall ... it's generally a better match to the upstairs and makes the basement feel less like a basement. I've only done one drop ceiling in the last five years. In my view, they have a commercial feel -- like a dentist's office,
Ken.
Speaking from experience. Go with drop ceiling. I did my basement with drywall 20 years ago (SWMBO does not like drop ceiling tiles). I cannot count how many times I cut the dry wall and patched it up and wished I had a drop ceiling whenever I had to rewire and other plumbing mods. I still threaten to knock all the drywall down and redo with drop ceiling.
I'm getting ready to redo our basement. The exercise room will have a drop ceiling because that's where all the wiring, plumbing, etc. runs are. The main room will be drywall because I like the look better and there is nothing in the ceiling that will need to be accessed.
Drywall the ceiling first then the walls (AFTER all the framing is complete) - the wall drywall will hold the ceiling drywall up so you don't get sags or cracks at the joint.
If you're going to use a drop ceiling, drywall the walls first, then put the track up over the drywall.
Steve
If you need phone or cable-tv lines in any of the walls , don't forget to drop them before closing the ceiling
Personally, I hate drywalled ceilings when you have no access to the area above somehow. Even on our 5 year old house, I now have a hole in the basement ceiling to fix because of a water leak... And forget being able to run extra cable or network lines... They may look better, but in my opinion, they're not worth the hassles. I've been burned twice now on two different houses. But maybe I should just live in the house, and not try to change it?
Clint
Here's a good option if you can't run wires:
Since my basement ceiling's just the joists, and there are lots of pipes and wirs running there, I just stapled up some Tyvek sheets. Keeps the dust from falling, and reflects light back down to the work.
Just FYI, here's alternative to a traditional drop ceiling, the advantage being that you don't lose as much height.
They have something to handle that pesky line. Up here, it's called "peasant-vision", and uses the new and high-tech "Rabbit Ears" media distribution device.
Clint
Largely, it's a matter of choice, but if you have junction boxes in the floor joists, you can't sheet rock over them. They have to remain accessable.
Since no one else has mentioned it, a suspended ceiling also gives better sound isolation than sheetrock nailed directly. It can sometimes mean the difference between escape and "family TV."
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