Vertically Installed Suspended Ceiling

Maplehead

I've have not yet installed a drop ceiling but I've got a client that wants me to do so in his basement we're remodeling.

I'm pondering the idea of boxing in the ceiling obstructions, (duct work and I beams), by using the same ceiling panels and tee frames as the drop ceiling. So the vertical sides would be of a "dropped" ceiling look.

I understand this is typically done via gypsum board.

Anyways, has anybody ever done this and/or know how to do it?

jproffer

If you want that look, frame it normally and glue the panels to the framing, then the grid pieces.

I wouldn't personally do it that way, but I suppose it's possible.

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Jim P.

mdshunk

They make little clips that click on the back of the grid to hold the tiles that are installed vertical. Royal PITA to take apart if you need to get in there to do work. No idea who makes those clips, though.

AtlanticWBConst

FWIW- We used to deal with issues like this until we found a great company to install our dropped ceilings (instead of us).
They bang them out and do it at a reasonable price with all materials included in the quote....

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mdshunk

Right I'm often working on the job at the same time when the ceiling mechanics are doing the grid. They make it look so easy, have cool tools, and it's darned quick. I know what they've charged on some jobs, and I can't imagine the typical remodeling contractor being able to do it any cheaper or with better results.

AtlanticWBConst

Tho...now we have a couple of rotating lazer levels that are too kewl to get rid of...

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mdshunk

I saw this one tool that must be special for ceiling guys. It shot ceiling anchor pins into the concrete deck above, and twisted the tie wire on in a second operation. The tool was about 12' long. Operated it from the ground. BAM! goes the anchor pin, and ZIP! the tie wire gets twisted on. No ladders or stilts required. Super slick tool.

AtlanticWBConst

Yep...I'm sure worth it's 'weight in gold' for ceiling contractors....

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Greg Di

MDshunk is right. There is no reason for a residential remodeling contractor to even think about installing their own grid ceiling when there are so many dedicated outfits that do it perfectly, fast, and cheaper than you can imagine.

If I remember, I think my guy charges me under $10 per sf including the materials!

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woodmagman

Our guys either white screw or rivit the main T's to the cross T's when they start to angle or go vertical. Most just rivit around here. Personally why not make the lower floor of the home look like the main. You would never put T bar on the main floor of you house to get at all the plumbing, heating, electrical wires and all that other crap your grandpa told you that you will have to get at when you develop you basement. I hate T bar basements, can you tell......? to 1970,s
It is like owning a real nice truck with crappy bumper stickers on it.

Greg Di

Amen. I always reccomend drywall. I've only had to deal with a drop ceiling twice because of the HO.

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AtlanticWBConst

I also prefer to recommend D/W - for ceilings, to avoid the 'sub-level' feeling.
Once in a great while, tho, there is just too much crap (wiring/pipes/ductwork) up there to properly install a decent looking D/W ceiling ....

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woodmagman

Hang your metal stud channel same as T bar,drywall and tape it. suspended drywall. Done all the time......

AtlanticWBConst

Woodmagman...

True, very true. Now that you mention this, we have actually done that, in other remodels. I actually have not considered it in a basement, because of the usual 'head room issues', but, never-the-less, it is a viable option not regularly looked at...

FWIW - We have had jobs in the past, where the property owner asked us to 'rip' out the ugly, old, stained 2x4 dropped ceilings and frame and replace with a new 'dropped drywall ceiling'...

Here's a more recent pic of a job where we demo-ed and then installed a 'dropped' drywall ceiling:






BTW- Ripped out old dropped ceiling, re-framed and dry-walled the ceiling.... Walls were hideous crumbling horse hair plaster & peeling old wallpaper. We did the walls over with 3/8" sheetrock ... Added any needed trim work and also - recessed lighting = 9 of them , and center light fixture.
Also, new laminate flooring. (Wish we took some 'before' pics - so you could really see the how ugly it was)

Also: This is a rental unit (old Triple 'Dekkah' ... in Boston) , so the point was to 'improve it'...not make it into a palace....

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