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Ceilings Birmingham AL: Drop Ceiling vs Drywall for Finishing Your Basement

Birmingham Ceilings & Walls • August 30, 2019

So, you’re renovating your basement?


Renovating your basement not only helps you fix any moisture issues you may have, but it can also add functional square footage to your home.


Now to decide between drywall or drop ceilings...


It’s probably one of the more debatable questions when completing a new basement project.


The decision between drywall and drop ceilings always seems to be a choice of aesthetics; whichever is more visually appealing. Drywall ceilings are usually assumed to be the clear winner when it comes down to this.


A drop ceiling, on the other hand, can give you a more easier access to ducts and pipes. It also offers you more possibilities to personalize.

Drywall Ceiling

Drywall Ceilings Are More Difficult to Install

If the ductwork for the air conditioning or heating is just below the joists in your basement, you really have two options:


You can either do a dry walled ceiling throughout the entire basement or you can have a drop ceiling in the rest of the basement with the drywall simply to contain the low-set ductwork.


Drywall ceilings take more work to install as opposed to a drop ceiling.


The sheets for drywall are about 60 pounds each so it takes two abled-body people to lift them. Once the drywall is on, you still have more work to do covering the screws, sanding and painting and cleaning up.


Drywall ceilings are definitely not a DIY project. On the other hand, drop ceilings can easily be a DIY project because they are lighter and quicker to install.

Ceilings Birmingham AL:


Drop Ceilings Advantages and Disadvantages

Drop ceilings (which are also called suspended ceilings) have the potential to save tension caused by maintenance.


As mentioned in the beginning of this article, if you need access to pipes or ducts, you’ll only have to move a few tiles. If you want to hide wires, all you have to do is move a tile over and tuck them in behind the grid. Easy.


Drywall requires tearing out the drywall and then repairing once you’re done if you need access to anything above the ceiling.


Did you know that drop ceilings can also suppress sound? That’s why they’re called acoustical ceilings.


Do you want your basement to be potentially transformed into a music room? Or what about a theater? Drop ceilings can be a great way to create this space while also reducing any noise.


Drop ceilings are also resistant to mold, safe for the environment and, as discussed before, easy to install. Drop ceilings also don't require much clean up as compared to drywall ceilings.

Drop Ceiling Installation

Personalizing Your Drop Ceilings

Drop ceilings don't have the best reputation. People tend to imagine drop ceilings as basic white tiles with metal grids. However, it's important to note that this is most definitely not the only option they come in.


There are many options to personalize drop ceilings. Ceiling tiles can be customized to your liking. They can be given a look that is more suitable to your taste: contemporary, modern, sophisticated; whatever it may be.


You can even make the tiles appear as metal or wood. The aluminum strips can also be personalized and decorated as you wish.


Drop ceilings most definitely don't have to be boring.

Need help with your ceiling? Call Birmingham Ceilings and Walls!



We're known as the best in the industry for our niche. We’re highly rated, licensed and insured. Our Work is Guaranteed.

 

We specialize in acoustical drop ceilings for residential and commercial clients, as well as custom drywall ceiling installations. We also do wall repair, metal drywall stud framing, insulation and lighting installation! Get a FREE Quote


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