Ceiling thoughts wanted!

[AnthonyJ124]

We have a 75% finished space in our basement, and I've committed to finishing it out- at least enough for my wife to have a cool crafting room with space to work and store all her "stuff".

That said, I'm waffling on ceiling ideas. Initially I was just going to do a quick and dirty 2'x4' tile drop ceiling, then wanted to do something nicer with 2'x2' tiles with raised panels... Until I saw the cost of those. Then today I thought maybe finishing it off with drywall would be the right thing.

The space is 14'8" x 13'9". With a few issues. 1) There's a beam that is 12" in height on the one side of the room, with a door opening at the same elevation as the bottom of the beam about 18" away- with all the first floor plumbing in between the beam and the wall with the door. Next to the beam is 2) the dryer vent that hangs down about 6" from the bottom of the joists. On the opposite side, I have 3) a window that is about 5" from the bottom of the joists. Tough to explain all that.

Probably easier for you to just see the pictures and comment. As it is right now, I'm thinking about just doing the standard cheapo drop ceiling, boxing the beam in with pine and calling it a day. But there's probably a hundred other things I'm not thinking of. The stupidest hurdle is probably the dryer vent- I can't move it easily since it's a log home, drilling another hole and relocating isn't an easy option. So I'll can tuck it into the beam, or maybe move it around a little, but the outlet stays the same. Regardless having access to the dryer vent and the plumbing hidden behind the beam is probably appropriate.

Any and all ideas/thoughts are appreciated!

 

[dewalt378g]

Just before the dryer vent I would make a soffit that would enclose it and the beam. To have access to the mechanicals the bottom of the soffit would be drop ceiling tile or make your own panels. You don't want to tuck away that dryer vent. You want access to it so you can clean/service it. Also, less bends the better. Finish the rest of the room with drywall to give you the most height.

 

[bradweingartner]

There is also a 'drop ceiling' type product that instead screws the rails directly into the floor joists to maximum clearance - but allows you to use the standard 2x2 or 2x4 removable tiles. While I've never used it, I feel this is one of the better compromises in basement finishing if you have any other utilities above this room you'd ever like to have future access to.

Otherwise, I agree with drywall as the best choice with exception of the soffit area.

 

[brass89]

ditto on the soffit idea.. will give it a finished look, won't interfere with the door, will take care of the beam and pipe in one shot. if there's any way to do those ceilings with the frame and panel, at least under the soffit so there's an easy way to get to the pipe for repairs if needed. just lift the panel(s) up and slide them over or out to gain access.

 

[rsanter]

If it was me......
I would loot at either framing in the beam and leave a soffit area for running the dryer vent.
Or
I would be tempted to create a sotffit area over by the dryer vent and leave the rest of the beam and post exposed and then paint them. Make them an architectural feature if you like that type of thing.

For the rest of the ceiling....you could use the colored sheet metal panels line used in steel buildings and like some people here use in their shops. It would look interesting and can be removed to service things

Bob

 

[Silver Heels]

If it were me...I'd be tempted to keep the beam exposed- but painted flat black, I'd also run rigid dryer vent tube with elbows, also painted flat black. I would then cover the ceiling with wood boards. It would have a nice industrial feel. (though not your typical "craft room" you could sell your wife on the idea by telling her the beam is the perfect place to display he nicknacks)

 

[AnthonyJ124]

All great ideas. I think ultimately I'd probably happier if I did pine tongue and groove. Maybe if I brought the joists down with a 2x4 grid then tacked the t&g to that, I'd get around some of the smaller obstacles (forced water piping) and I'd have a nice level plane to work from. I do like the hard piped dryer vent and black beam idea. Food for thought!

 

[Justanoldguy]

Box in the beam and drywall the lot.
Doesn't need to be a showpiece.

 

[AnthonyJ124]

Update on this. Went with tongue and groove. Got it all hung last week. Some final bits and trim to iron out, then it's on to the door and window trim. Went very smooth. For my first time using T&G boards, it went way faster than I anticipated.

 

[GDPossehl]

That turned out really nice. Props

 

[Gixx]

That looks great. I should have done that in my basement room. I'm currently sanding the drywall (which *****). That looks clean and sharp. Nice work !

 

[Modern Jess]

Looks awesome. Great work!