drywall lift for 16.5 foot ceiling?

[FowlShot76]

I've got a 30x40 shop and the ceiling is about 16.5 feet. I'm not seeing any lifts that go beyond 16 feet. I'm doing everything solo, and I'm striking out on how to finish the ceiling. I do have 2 sections of scaffolding that sit about 13 feet high. I'm not keen on building a platform or sitting the lift up on the scaffold, it just seems too unstable to be working alone at that height. I also need both sections of the scaffold since I don't have any ladders that tall. If I thought I could get it finished in a single weekend, I'd rent a scissor lift, but that's not likely working by myself. I'd like to find a drywall lift that's affordable and would reach. Keep in mind I've never used one before, but do they make extensions that would reach and you'd still be able to load?

Looking forward to hearing what others have done in this situation.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Rent (or buy) a manlift

 

[cgrutt]

Damn that's a tall ceiling. I've got a Panelift that goes to 11'. They sell a fairly inexpensive 4' extension that will bring that to 15'. Maybe you can buy two extensions and cut them to whatever length you need and have them welded together? Note if you extend overall length of extension to 5.5' you'll need to lift sheets another 1.5' at ground level to get them onto the lift. Also not sure what extending will due to overall stability of the lift when fully extended. You would also need to extend cable. Good luck.

 

[cgrutt]

Rent (or buy) a manlift

He's going to need one regardless to attach panels to ceiling but will require some sort of extension on the manlift that will get panels above his head to allow him to work if he was going to use it to get panels to ceiling. Then there is the whole issue of getting panels onto the manlift at ground level.

 

[FowlShot76]

I should be able to attach them and work from my scaffold if I had a lift tall enough to hold the panels in place.

 

[The Cobbler]

just getting the drywall on to a traditional lift with extensions to reach your ceiling would be a major task in itself. I also would be concerned about the stability .

 

[Boogerman]

Since you only need less than a foot extra, get a 16 foot lift and then either build a foot high platform (3/4" plywood and four 2x12's) for under the lift, or put a 12" thick styrofoam block on top of the lift to make up the difference. Platform like you have on your scaffold.

As the Cobbler said, getting the sheets onto the extended lift is problematic. I just did a 16 foot ceiling semi by myself. I can pick up a 12 foot sheet of 5/8 and put it on a standard 10 foot lift. Putting it up on the taller lift by myself was impossible, although I could have done so by making some sort of frame to put one end up on. Instead I just had my daughter or neighbor help me one sheet at a time to put it on the lift. Once on the lift, I could do the install myself. Stability of the sheets isn't a problem, just have to move slowly and carefully, and I do big moves with the lift all the way down, and then lift into place.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Before you get too carried away, let me ask this question.

Are those metal trusses rated to hold drywall ?

 

[FowlShot76]

It should should support it just fine as long as I'm not using it as a loft or for storage. We're only talking about addiing 1-2lbs/sqft.

 

[Adaylate]

Have you considered metal panels?

 

[Sumboodie]

16ft is a nice height. Mine is only 14 which ***** for an upstairs, as well as 13ft door is about it so anything big won't fit like a semi truck.

 

[LXCam]

Before you get too carried away, let me ask this question.

Are those metal trusses rated to hold drywall ?

I’m going a step further. Were the trusses engineered for the weight of the spray foam and what’s the center line, 4ft OC or 5ft OC? What type and thickness did you plan on hanging?

 

[FowlShot76]

Have you considered metal panels?

Too expensive.

 

[FowlShot76]

16ft is a nice height. Mine is only 14 which ***** for an upstairs, as well as 13ft door is about it so anything big won't fit like a semi truck.

I wanted a 14 ft door and to be able to maintain that clearance after adding lights and stuff. I've got a tower boat in mind somewhere down the road.

 

[kyrbz]

How about making a platform on wheels slightly larger than the base of the drywall lift that is about 18" tall. I'd remove the wheels from the lift and then fasten the lift to the platform. If you had a 16' lift this method would get you up around 17' and you could wheel it around like a normal lift. It's something I've previously thought about because I have a similar situation I have to deal with in the near future.

 

[finn]

Have you considered metal panels?

I was going to suggest that he should start by ditching the idea of using drywall, and go with metal panels.

You beat me to it!

I bought an import lift with the extension that will handle 15’ or 15. 5’.

It’s a typical inexpensive lift that’s a little shaky, but it works.

I wonder if the commercial quality lifts from the rental places have a little more reach.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Are you hanging drywall on the metal trusses? Those trusses look like 48” on center or more. Drywall can’t span more the 24” normally.

 

[FowlShot76]

Are you hanging drywall on the metal trusses? Those trusses look like 48” on center or more. Drywall can’t span more the 24” normally.

I'll run 2x4 across the trusses 2 ft on center like I'm doing on the walls

 

[walta]

Rent something like this and extend the railings to hold the drywall over your head.

Walta

 

[racecougar]

I agree that that roof framing is likely not intended to support any additional load.

Also agreed that liner panel would add less load to the structure, and would be far less work to install.

As far as getting liner panel or drywall up to the ceiling, even if you had a drywall lift that reached, how would you occupy the same space with your scaffolding? I'll "third" or "fourth" the recommendation of renting a man lift and adding deadmen or rail extensions to either end to place the panel directly overhead, where you can easily screw it to the ceiling.

 

[Youngandfree]

In before the collapse. You're gambling trying to save a buck. Weight of spray foam may be pushing it. Now you're going to add 2×4's and sheet rock. Good luck.

 

[purplezr2]

have you priced out steel(which can span 4ft) vs add structure to do drywall.

Also factor in the weight of that wood and the labor to do the work, seems like metal would be good idea.

 

[CraigStu]

It's a ceiling that is 16ft up. I'd rent a lift and a spray gun and paint the foam and call it good.

 

[FowlShot76]

have you priced out steel(which can span 4ft) vs add structure to do drywall.

Also factor in the weight of that wood and the labor to do the work, seems like metal would be good idea.

I just found some 2nds on 3 foot metal for $2/running ft which makes the metal feasible. Weight would only be .59lbs/sqft. Foam and 2x4s 2ft. Oc are negligible. That's well within the dead load specs. I still have the original issue of getting it up there though.

 

[racecougar]

I still have the original issue of getting it up there though.

Rent a man lift and add deadmen or rail extensions to either end to place the panel directly overhead, where you can easily screw it to the ceiling.

 

[purplezr2]

I just found some 2nds on 3 foot metal for $2/running ft which makes the metal feasible. Weight would only be .59lbs/sqft. Foam and 2x4s 2ft. Oc are negligible. That's well within the dead load specs. I still have the original issue of getting it up there though.

Man lift, I have a 16' ceiling in my shop, I bought a man lift as I knew I would not be able to do my whole building in on crack due to working etc. I would say that is not feasible for everyone to buy one, but I would say renting may be an option.

 

[Snip]

I had 14' ceilings and used 16 and 18' long pieces. Also working alone, I had a 15' tall lift but it felt a little unstable all the way up. I made a plywood filler strip for my 4 post lift and put the lift on it. It gave me a very stable working platform and could run 3 sections before moving the lift. Granted, slower than just using the lift and a ladder but I felt more comfortable. Lift has castors for when lowered.

 

[Joemctag]

It's a ceiling that is 16ft up. I'd rent a lift and a spray gun and paint the foam and call it good.

Lots of people are doing that, say, with gloss white paint . If you’re trying for more insulation value, I don’t think itll be much. Think of all those joints to tape, too.

 

[pcmeiners]

If you still have a dream of Sheetrock you have never taped at the height or at angles off scaffolds, no less the weight factor..... it is >3x times the work. Use metal.
On the plus side you have a real scaffolding, not Lowes/HD wannabe units. If you get tired it is easy enough to walk off a raise scaffold ( have done it), you might think about a safety harness, anchored to the steel or beams, cheap on Ebay.
How about a drop ceiling? all materials are fairly light, easy to install the grid.

 

[BurtEggley]

just for the record, it looks great as it is. Having hung drywall, and knowing its weight - might want to talk with the folks who engineered the trusses first. Don't forget a small snow load. We lived near Elizabeth City and had a foot of snow one time.