Simple Ideas and Tips For Finishing Your Basement Ceiling

Are you interested in getting an absolutely renewed, updated and pleasant living space instead of shabby floors, bare walls and gloomy basement ceilings?! As usual, a basement ceiling looks like an unsightly maze of wires, plumbing pipes, structural bracing and ductwork. Are you looking for an ideal solution to improve acoustics or insulation, hide your plumbing pipes or mechanical services, resist moisture and reduce noise? Although, in some places, where plumbing pipes or ductwork are lower than the joists, it is impossible to have a nice, smooth, uninterrupted ceiling. But keep your head up: hiding all those unsightly systems will give your finished basement instant look of an usable living area. Here are some smart ways how to disguise all unpleasant details.

–       Hide with paint

The most economical and the fastest way is to paint your basement ceiling with a sprayer. Such technique is commonly used in urban spaces that are converted to coffee houses and shops. A monochromatic ceiling hides all the pipes and ductwork. To rent a sprayer and DIY will cost you $100/day plus paint; to hire a pro – $300-$500 (for 400 sq. ft.) with paint included.

–       Drop ceiling installation

A drop (or a suspended) ceiling is a lightweight and cost-efficient material, that completely covers pipes and ductwork. The advantages of such ceiling installation are the following:

• It is easy to install.
• it absorbs sounds and noise.
• It is easy to remove to have access to pipes and wires for making changes and extra repairs.

DIY installation of your basement ceiling will cost $2-$3 per sq. ft., a hired pro – $3-$6 per sq. ft.

– Getting around obstructions

In cases when pipes or ducts dip below joists only in certain areas, it is a wise solution to work around them by building soffits.

Box beams is another possible solution, which is especially good for high ceilings and necessity in an elegant look.

–       Use fabric

The simplest way to mask overhead pipes and ducts is with fabric that is nailed or stapled to joists. Your finished basement will look like a sheik’s tent! What an ideal place for your kids’ area!

Masking a basement ceiling often means to have some compromises, especially if it cost you a fortune to finish your basement .