RickWeb wrote:
Hi,

I have an idea for my basement ceiling and was wondering if anyone has
done something similar. I want access to the wires, pipes etc in the
basement ceiling and do not want to use the typical t-bar ceiling.

I was thinking about making ten I-Beams about 4 or 5 inches in height
out of wood and installing then to my floor joists. They would be
spaced about 24" apart. I then plan to rest a piece of drywall (about
26" wide) on the top edge of the bottom plate of each I-Beam. The
drywall would be suspended and easily removable. The bottom plate of
the I-Beam is then stained to match the fireplace mantle, wet bar, and
built in book shelfs. I will need about ten I-Beams at 12 feet in
length (think of these as Main-T's) and I will then place shorter
wooden I-Beams as cross T's.

Anyone see an issue with this method? My only concern is the sagging
of the drywall. If it is spaced no more than 24" apart, do you think
it will sag?

So...wooden I-beams like below with drywall resting on the lower plate
of each I-Beam. That's it.
__ __
_|_ _______________ _|_
drywall

Thanks,

In the basement of my last house I made T-bar out of oak then used
ceiling tiles. Looked very good. I'm sure my ex wife appreciates all
the work I did.

I wouldn't use drywall in place of tiles, looks cheap. You can buy a
1/2" low sag drywall made for ceilings if you insist. I used that
stuff in my new house, it works.

As for the guy that said he wouldn't worry about access to the
ceiling, I used to love the looks on peoples faces when I told them
the drywall ceiling's gotta go. I don't know what people are
thinking. There is know way of knowing what the future is hiding.
Sooner or later someone is going to want access into the ceiling.

LdB