Finishing your basement can increase the living space in your home, and can also hide ugly pipes and wiring along the ceiling. Homeowners can choose from suspended grid ceilings or those built from gypsum wall board, or drywall. Suspended grid ceilings are the easiest and most affordable option, but can take up several extra inches of ceiling space. Drywall ceilings take up less space and have a cleaner look, but are more expensive and time-consuming to install.
Instructions
Install a Grid Ceiling
1. Find the lowest point on your existing ceiling. If portions of pipes or ductwork are lower than the bottom of the joists, use these as your lowest point. Measure down 4 inches from this low point and mark a line on the wall as a benchmark.
2. Nail a single length of wall molding to the wall at the benchmark you found in Step 1. Set a laser level along this molding and use it to project a line around the perimeter of the room. Add wall molding on all four walls, using tin snips to cut the molding as needed.
3. Install the mains. These are the uninterrupted sections of grid that run the entire length of the room. They should be placed every 2 feet, and should be supported every 48 inches along their length using ceiling wires. Attach the wires to the joists using eye hooks, then thread the wire through the holes in the mains.
4. Attach the tees to the mains. These are shorter sections of grid that help to frame out the tiles. Place tees every 2 feet if you're using 2-by-2 tiles, or every 4 feet if you're using 2-by-4 tiles. The tees snap into the grid by hand, using integral connectors and pre-drilled holes.
5. Set your ceiling tiles. Tilt each tile at an angle to fit it up above the grid, then hold it flat and allow it to drop into place. Cut tiles using a utility knife as needed.
Install a Drywall Ceiling
6. Check to make sure all pipes and ducts are located higher than the bottom of the ceiling joists. If they are not, you will have to relocate them so they run between the joists. If you are unfamiliar with this type of work, hire a plumber or electrician to help.
7. Place a sheet of drywall on a drywall lift finish side down. You can rent these lifts at most home improvement stores. Crank the lift to raise the drywall to ceiling level so it is perpendicular to the joists.
8. Use drywall screws to secure the sheet of drywall to the joists. Place screws every 6 inches along each joist.
9. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to cover the entire ceiling with drywall. Each sheet should butt tightly together without overlapping. To cut the drywall, use a utility knife to score each sheet and then snap it along the score line.
10. Tape the seams between each sheet using drywall tape, then cover the tape with a layer of spackle or joint compound. Allow the joint compound to dry overnight, then sand it smooth so that the joint is flush with the rest of the surface. It may be necessary to repeat this step depending on the desired level of smoothness. Complete the project by cleaning away all sanding dust and painting the ceiling.
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