Going to be ready to finish Ceiling next week...Drywall alone?

[vartz04]

I am guessing this can be done in a reasonable amount of time working solo in the garage with a drywall lift?

I have been going back and forth 10,000 times but I think this is the way to go. It is cheapest, yet the hardest to install (mud/tape plus the weight of it). I don't care if its pretty though so it will probably just stay mudded/taped for a while.

I need 22 sheets of 4x8 drywall to complete my "tray" ceiling that I built into my hip roof. That will cost $115ish + $32 for the drywall lift for the day + 50 for misc drywall mud/tape/supplies = $197

OSB - 22 sheets - $176 to do it, no tape/mud but would have to paint right away as its too dark compared to bare drywall. I have the paint sitting at home

Foil Faced Foam Board (Fire rated) - $219 to finish + another $20 for foil tape and its done for $239 no extra work painting, mudding, ect.

Vinyl Soffit - $500+ Not really in my budget.

What would you guys do, the OSB, Drywall, And foil foam are all pretty close in price.

 

[jkeyser14]

My preference is drywall just due to the fire rating. Where are you getting your drywall from for that cheap? I just paid $300 for 33 sheets of 5/8" 4x8, I went with the 8' instead of the 12' because the 8' was $200 cheaper.

Yes, it's hard to do yourself because of the weight, but it's possible. I would highly recommend asking a neighbor or friend for help, all they have to do is help you lift a sheet onto the drywall lift once every 10 min. Each sheet weighs about 70 and is awkward for a one person lift.

 

[Mush07071]

The jack is a good idea, I did a ceiling myself once all alone, no problem at all. I was surprised how easy it went..

 

[vartz04]

I'm getting 1/2" I have 16 oc. Its 5.19 a sheet

 

[green.bubbly]

4x8 sheets of 1/2" is fairly easy to handle. You factored in one day rental of the lift, do you think you can hang that many sheets by yourself in one day? I am doing my entire house and a drywall lift can be purchased for about $120.00 which is what I did. Of course I plan on using it for many days. Too many days unfortunately. It might take longer to hang and screw that many sheets than you may think.

I purchased one of these and it makes lugging those sheets around SOOOO much easier.




.

 

[Makman]

Two heads and four hands are always faster and safer. But, you do what you gotta do. With a tray ceiling, you'll have more room to manuever around all sides of the lift. We normally hang the slopes first then **** ceiling into them. You may want to start with the flat first then slopes since you're using a lift.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I hung my ceiling solo, absolutely not problem - but hanging 22 sheets in one day is pretty ambitious! I would buy a lift and take your time to do it right. Here is the lift I bought with a coupon: http://www.harborfreight.com/drywall-panel-hoist-69377.html -sell when your done on craigslist.

I would add adhesive to that budget as well, with either drywall or OSB.

Since it is still open you might also consider running some utilities up there before it is covered. I put outlets, lighting, compressed air drops, and speakers up there before I sheathed mine.

Good luck with the project! Oh and take a few before pics. I always forget that step!

 

[vartz04]

I have 6 ceiling duplex outlets that are not switched and 6 that are switched, speakers are in the walls, and compressed air is run exposed in there with rubber hose.

I did run a run of 10/3 to the one corner where I would add a heater should I decide to use electric.

I will have an attic hatch so I will still be able to access it. I think I could hang the 38"x8' pieces on the "tray" part by hand so it would only be like 14 sheets on the ceiling.

I may reconsider for the time being and just put the foam board, I can always drywall over it later and it will add R value and be easier to install.

 

[shoobear]

Buy the lift...they are not much. No rush to finish it in one day.
You can do upper walls with the lift also.

1/2 " drywall will be fine for a ceiling. If you have 24"centers you can use "drywall -1/2" ceiling board" It is stiffer for the 24" centers and will not sag between attachment points.

5/8 is heavier on the body. If you have a living space above 5/8 should be used for the extra fire rating it has.

Post some photos!!!

 

[racingtadpole]

From personal experience, you wont hang 22 sheets in a day on your own. On your own that will be at least 2 maybe spilling into a 3rd depending on height, proximity of stock to work location, and how many screws you put in etc... Then theres at least as long again to flush out the joints (longer if youve never done it before). And you will hurt at the end of it.

If you have the paint, I think I'd go with the OSB. It'll take you same amount of time to hang, timber is more forgiving if you drop it or bang a corner (and you will toward the end of the day), and theres no flushing. Painting a ceiling is easier than flushing joints. And dont forget to factor in the price of the lifter, you can lift OSB with it same as you can plasterboard. You'll still hurt but not as much.

My 2c worth, hope it helps

 

[CodeRedZ]

I'm going to do mine here soon, and I remember my Dad doing a basement when I was a kid and he made a T out of some 2x4s and it would hold the Drywall up against the ceiling. You still need a 2nd person but makes life easier.

 

[camarotoolman]

This subject has been hit hard a while back, search. A scew gun makes it alot easier and faster. Sell it when your done. If you value your time and back, imo 'd hire a crew and be done with it. Persoally I like sheet metal in a garage, easy to put up, no painting, easy to keep clean. Dry wall in a shop or porch has to be painted often to keep nice. Paint ain't cheap eighter.

 

[Motofixxer]

How about the ole steel siding...it's sooo much easier in the end. And easily accessible later. I'm glad I did mine and looks good.

 

[Kevin54]

4x8 sheets of 1/2" is fairly easy to handle. You factored in one day rental of the lift, do you think you can hang that many sheets by yourself in one day? I am doing my entire house and a drywall lift can be purchased for about $120.00 which is what I did. Of course I plan on using it for many days. Too many days unfortunately. It might take longer to hang and screw that many sheets than you may think.

I purchased one of these and it makes lugging those sheets around SOOOO much easier.




.

I purchased two of those at HF for something like $3.00 each. Makes it way easier for one person or even two people to carry plywood or whatever. They also have the contraption that sits on the floor with the pivot in the middle so you can step on it and raise the sheets up and I forgot to get one. It was only a few bucks also.

 

[Kevin54]

I'm going to do mine here soon, and I remember my Dad doing a basement when I was a kid and he made a T out of some 2x4s and it would hold the Drywall up against the ceiling. You still need a 2nd person but makes life easier.

Those "T"'s are the cheap way out. For the money, you can't go wrong with a drywall lift. Either buy one or rent one. No way would I want to hang a ceiling with a deadman anymore.

 

[9GUY9]

I hung 12' sheets of 5/8" on my garage ceiling using a lift. I started out with my wife helping lift the sheets on to the lift. But I soon found it easier to do it all my self. Having a second (not all that strong) person help lift the sheets was more of a pain than it was worth. I found I could lift a sheet in the center and flop it onto the lift doing it solo much faster.


It was a lot of work and I was very sore the following week, but I would do it the same way again.

 

[camarotoolman]

Work over time @ your regular job, use the extra money you make doing what you know best to pay a crew to do what they know best. The taping and finishing takes alot of time, and some skill to get a good job too .imo Screw guns are alot faster and do a better job.