HOME REMODELING 101

Author is a former builder and instructor of "Save Time and

Money in Home Remodeling" continuing education course

at Emory University.

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Visitors' Tips

Basement Ceiling

-Many home remodelers finishing off their basement wonder what to do with their basement ceiling.  There are drop-down pre-fab basement ceiling tile options, but I don't see them used too often.  I am guessing that this is because they have an office type of feel that doesn't fit the decor of most houses.

-The typical challenge is that there are plumbing pipes and hvac ducts that drop down here and there, making drywall a difficult solution.  When I built my personal home, I made the mistake of allowing the hvac ducts to be placed in almost random locations.  I wish I had an idea of what I wanted the basement ceiling to look like before the hvac system was installed.  Then, I could have made recommendations to the hvac contractor about where the ducts should go.  Live and learn!

-But I ended up with a great looking basement anyway.  I installed drywall ceilings with crown molding, and I worked around the pipes and ducts.  In one room of the basement, I had to take the ceiling down to 7'6".  I thought this would feel too low, but with the recessed can lighting, it worked out fine.  For other parts of the basement ceiling, I had the carpenter frame soffits around the air conditioning ducts.  I carried the soffit around the entire basement ceiling to make it look like I intended for it to be there.  I am pleased with the result, and I love the way our basement ceiling turned out.

-Another solution that I have heard is simply having no basement ceiling at all.  Instead, paint the basement ceiling all one color.  Perhaps off-white, black, or even red.  I have seen this done for basement ceilings in restaurants and cafe's to good effect.  I'm not sure I'd want that look for my personal basement ceiling, but it might be worth a try.  You could always close it up later.

-Whatever your final basement ceiling solution might be, I wish you good luck and happy renovating!

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