Ask Dave your basement remodeling questions
Asked By: Jannine H. Last Updated on: 04 January 2010
Question:
We were originally thinking about spray painting our basement ceiling and are now thinking about drywalling it. The problem is the air ducts and plumbing takes up about half the space in the ceiling so it would be too much to build a soffit. We were thinking about just dropping the ceiling down so it would be even straight across. The ceiling height is 14 feet so that is not a concern. Our concern is trying to figure out how to basically build a new ceiling to add drywall to. We have one wall that is completely poured cement and the widest width is 20 feet. How do we secure new 2x4's that far apart from the walls and attach to the cement?
Dave Answers:
Background:
I wrote to Jannine asking for some photos to see what it is she has.
Originally I thought maybe it would be possible to move the ductwork over to the side and build a soffit. But from the 2nd (lower) photo its fairly clear to see that scenario wouldn't work as the stairwell wall is in the way.
I would build a box around the perimeter and drop the ceiling underneath the round duct as suggested. 2X4's should be just fine. Run your lower ceiling joists parallel and directly underneath the main floor joists. Then at approximately 4 - 6' intervals run another 2X4 perpendicular to your new grid and attach it directly to the main floor joists above. I recommend you use joist hangers at either end to really make it strong. I made a graphic to show you what I have in mind. As for the big concrete wall which you're contemplating leaving as is, I'd use Tapcons to attach the outer box of the new 2X4 ceiling grid to the wall to make it very secure. The other side you can simply nail into the outer wall at every vertical stud.
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