Garage ceiling finishing - need ideas

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I'm 5 years into a 10-year plan to finish the inside of my 24x36 workshop. Nothing fancy but the eventual goal is to have no exposed wood showing, everything bright, and keep it an extremely functional shop. I have been insulating the walls with R-13 (shop has a big window AC and IR heaters) and sheathing the walls in white pegboard, top to bottom. Complete airtight not needed as the HVAC is only used occasionally.

Now I'm undecided about what to do with the ceiling. Looking for ideas.

Some basics: Garage is 36' long with gables at the front and rear. Center section is vaulted with scissor trusses (lift headspace). 2' OC trusses.

My preferences: (1) I hate, hate, hate painting. (2) I hate sanding even more, (3) I'd prefer something I can do myself, over time, section by section until complete rather than hiring out. (4) Something noise/acoustic blocking would be nice. (5) I hate insulating (see a trend?

) but I'll do it if needed, obviously something with built-in insulation value would be best.

I was about to get pricing for insulation and sheetrock installed, sanded, and painted, but I heard something about ceiling tiles and been doing some research.

Ideas or opinions? Duh, I'm on a pretty tight budget too so super fancy-shmancy stuff is out of my price range.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:46 pm

I'd suspend a drop-in ceiling (I suppose those are acoustic tiles).

Chris Brown · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:47 pm

scottjohnson wrote:

I'd suspend a drop-in ceiling (I suppose those are acoustic tiles).

x2 - that's exactly what i was thinking

you don't care about insulating and you don't want to paint, so why not just hang it.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

scottjohnson wrote:

I'd suspend a drop-in ceiling (I suppose those are acoustic tiles).

I'm definitely thinking about that. I have 10'4" ceilings at either end and a huge vaulted space in the middle (18'), so it's not like I need the headspace. Only problem is that I have a fair amount of stuff bolted to the ceiling now -- bikes, garage doors, etc.

Initially I was worried about relocating all the outlets for the fluorescent lights too, but I guess those can just stay on the rafters above the tiles. Hmmm.

Anyone with experience installing drop ceilings?

Chris Brown · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:49 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

Anyone with experience installing drop ceilings?

Adam does...this is what we did at his old shop. of course, we cut and stained the panels, but you don't have to do that.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Well I guess I'm going with drop ceiling tiles! I just scored one of the best deals of my life, 1500 sqft of new-in-box Armstrong acoustic humidity-resistant 2x2' ceiling tiles for EIGHTY BUCKS. Guy retired from the business and had these leftover. Craigslist rules.

I'll have plenty left over if anyone is looking for some. Might be a while until I finish the project though.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Going up. Slowly. Looks amazing though!

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:39 pm

1. Working over your head sucks.
1a. Anything beats doing drywall.
2. You're gonna love the result.

--Donnie

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:30 pm

"guy retired from the business" i love that line.

looks good Mike.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Donnie Barnes wrote:

1. Working over your head sucks.

Especially at 16 1/2 feet with nothing solid to hang onto. The little grab-handle board I added to the 12' stepladder works wonders to reach that last foot comfortably -- I find that if my hip is touching something solid I'm rock stable. If all I can manage is my leg for stability, I get wobbly looking up a long time.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:57 am

Mike,

It looks great!

Oh, there are many solutions to those up high and hard to reach places...

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:59 am

Sorry for the hijack...

Here is a link with some great dangerous ladder moments...

http://fresh99.com/ladders.htm

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Richard Casto wrote:

Sorry for the hijack...

Here is a link with some great dangerous ladder moments...

http://fresh99.com/ladders.htm

WOW. Now I don't feel as stupid. About anything dumb I've ever done.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

That looks really good, Mike. And I'm glad you didn't fall and shatter your hip or crack your head open. Anyway, now that you have that nice blank canvas, I think you should rent some paintball guns and throw a party this weekend.

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Garage ceiling finishing - need ideas

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