What to do with a ceiling once the drop ceiling has been removed?
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I have a drop ceiling with flourescent lighting panels throughout my apartment. The owner has given me the ok to remove them and dismantle the lighting if I choose. What to do with the rafters etc that remain up there? I could paint the whole area white and it will cover what ever wiring is showing. There is no duct work, so once the panels etc are removed the surface left is a blank canvas. I do not want to go to the expense of drywall, but could do wood either reclaimed or something else. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you.
5 answers
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Painting the ceiling is a great idea, but I am not so sure about white. The issue is the wood framing that is reveled I assume is pretty old? The old wood will bleed through the finish making you use a LOT of paint to cover. I would choose to use a black or dark color with some tiny track lights looking down that will be sort of hidden by the dark color you paint it. You see this look a lot in many commercial restaurants and establishments. White will show up all cobwebs etc. fast. Its not like a flat ceiling your dealing with. With al those spaces from the beams, wires and holes, spiders will love you. Another thing you can do is again paint it black then using lattice like you find around outside decks, fasten that to the ceiling with those same small lights peeking through the openings. Paint the lattice and you have a great ceiling at little cost. What really determines what you do is the height of the ceiling and how handy you are.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jul 23, 2014
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Any chance of a photograph so we can visualise what you are describing? I like the idea of lattice as suggested by Woodbridge Environmental. As it is not your property, would the owner not cover the cost of installing a ceiling?
Valerie
on Jul 24, 2014
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Hi Debbie! Could you upload a photo of your ceiling? That will make it easier for other hometalkers and myself to give you better answers and ideas! You can add photos by clicking the upper right drop arrow and select "edit" (see screenshot). Hope this helps! :)
Hannah V
on Jul 24, 2014
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Yes I have uploaded 1 photo, where I removed the ceiling tiles. This is a flat roof building. The white in the photo below is part of the grid system of the ceiling tiles. The entire apartment has the ceiling tiles. The apartment is 1050 sq. ft. The owner of the building is my daughter. She said I can do what ever want to, but she is not helping monetarily. The rent I pay is already very, so I could not ask even ask her. I am very handy as I have done remodels myself before, but never with new ceilings, only floors, walls, and lighting and some plumbing. Thank you for everyone's quick replies, it is most appreciated.
Debbie Dykstra
on Jul 24, 2014
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Another post was just talking about ceilings. IN your case now that I am aware of the roof/ceiling combo you need to insulate the cavities first to help keep the heat and cool in during the respective seasons. So fill the spaces between each joist with insulation. Be sure to use a vapor barrier that faces the outside or up against the roof in your area, FL. or you could have condensation issues should the temp drop within the temp dew point. Keep the grid and install a product called CoroPlast. This product is cut with a sharp knife, comes in all sorts of colors and can be cut to fit in the existing grid that is installed. As far as lights, you can easily use many different types from round can lights, track lights or stick with the commercial looking florescent fixtures. Panels of 4 x 8 can be purchased as low as $10 each. So your looking around $400 for everything including shipping. he supplier I use is located in NJ, www.corrugatedplastics.net but I am sure there are suppliers in the area where you can purchase without having to pay the shipping costs from the NJ area.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jul 24, 2014
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