I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

What is done during normal construction may not be the best during a
remodel. If the ceiling is done first, removing the rock later would be
easier, but do what works best for you.

"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

The only valid compelling reasons to do the ceiling first a
that minor gaps at the wall area are hidden and filled when the walls are
installed
that makes finishing just a bit easier.
You don't damage your walls as you struggle with the ceiling boards.
Just make darn sure you have any needed scabs in place before you build any
walls. You something to screw the ceiling boards to.

I have three walls finished in my basement and no ceilings hung yet. If I
ever decide finish the job there won't be any problems.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

Mikepier wrote the following:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?


Ceiling panels are put up first because the ceiling panels are supported
at the wall edges where the joists run parallel to that wall.
There may be nothing there to nail the ceiling panels to that wall edge.
You can do it the opposite way as long as you provide nailers along the
ceiling along that wall.
It's early. I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet. Is the above
understandable?


--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Ed Pawlowski wrote:

"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

What is done during normal construction may not be the best during a
remodel. If the ceiling is done first, removing the rock later would be
easier, but do what works best for you.

And you may have to be a little more careful so as not to mar your new
walls, but as Ed said, this is not new construction.

On Oct 3, 9:24*am, Mikepier wrote:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Usually it's tougher to get to the walls than the ceiling. What's
blocking access to the ceiling?

You can, of course, do the drywall in either order, but you are less
likely to get cracks at the wall/ceiling junction if the ceiling
boards are supported by the wall boards. Doing the walls first pretty
much guarantees bigger gaps and doesn't allow much leeway for out of
square conditions.

I'm not sure how big of an area, or how complicated the layout, you
are talking about, but it only takes a few hours to drywall a
ceiling. Taping can be done at a later time when the walls are done.

R

Mikepier wrote:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Unless this area of the basement doesn't have any plumbing, wiring, or
other stuff in it (which is fairly rare at best), I'd suggest
reconsidering the idea of sheetrock anyway and stick w/ the removable
ceiling -- altho I realize that 1-ft ceiling tiles may be the old
staple-up thingies, not removable.

Either way, I'd surely be thinking about whether really good idea or not.

If it it determined to be "sheetrock it is", depending on the area and
if there's some reason not otherwise, what about doing the perimeter and
filing in later? Then could have sorta' the best of both--get the
exterior edges on top of the walls and leave the bulk for later...

$0.02, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

On Oct 3, 10:51*am, dpb wrote:
Mikepier wrote:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Unless this area of the basement doesn't have any plumbing, wiring, or
other stuff in it (which is fairly rare at best), I'd suggest
reconsidering the idea of sheetrock anyway and stick w/ the removable
ceiling -- altho I realize that 1-ft ceiling tiles may be the old
staple-up thingies, not removable.

Either way, I'd surely be thinking about whether really good idea or not.

People often mention this aspect when the topic of a drywall ceiling
in a basement comes up. The existing wiring is a non-issue...it's no
different than having wiring concealed in a wall or in the second
floor. Plumbing is a bit more of a concern, but usually not a big
one. In such situations I build in chases with easily removed covers
and route all wiring through the chases. It protects the wiring,
makes it a snap to add lines and the chase can be built below the
ceiling level around the perimeter so there's no drilling of joists
and such. Plumbing might require an access door.

In any event, all wiring and plumbing should be brought up to snuff,
or even beyond snuff, before any contemplation of a drywall ceiling in
a basement. Mike's not exactly a noob, so I'm sure he's thought of
that stuff.

If it it determined to be "sheetrock it is", depending on the area and
if there's some reason not otherwise, what about doing the perimeter and
filing in later? *Then could have sorta' the best of both--get the
exterior edges on top of the walls and leave the bulk for later...

Doing the perimeter first is a possibility, but it's also problematic
for out of square conditions, and the layout may require a lot more
cutting and fitting. I'm kind of lazy/efficient about such things and
don't make a lot more work for myself later just to save myself some
effort now.

R

I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say
sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?


I live in earthquake country, so I want everything possible holding up
the ceiling. So I do the ceiling first.

dpb wrote the following:
Mikepier wrote:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Unless this area of the basement doesn't have any plumbing, wiring, or
other stuff in it (which is fairly rare at best), I'd suggest
reconsidering the idea of sheetrock anyway and stick w/ the removable
ceiling -- altho I realize that 1-ft ceiling tiles may be the old
staple-up thingies, not removable.

Many years ago, I walled off a section of my basement for a small scale
model shop and put a sheetrock ceiling above it. The room also contained
the electrical panel, cable tv, and telephone wires entrance, the well
pump pressure tank, and a water softener, but all that was in the corner
and I just built a 3' x 6' closet around it with no ceiling or interior
sheetrock.
I finished off the rest of the basement sometime later and installed the
easily removed dropped ceiling metal grid and panels. The whole basement
was finished with studded and sheetrocked walls.
What a mistake it was to put that sheetrock ceiling in that small room.
Any additions for wiring or water supply throughout the house had to
come from that room.
I had to blindly fish wires and pipes through a small gap between the
top of the studded wall and the sill plate to get into the part of the
basement with the dropped ceiling. From there is was a lot easier to
snake the pipes and wires across the room by just removing panels along
the route to the final destination.
I often look at that sheetrocked ceiling hoping to get up the energy to
remove it but there is too much delicate stuff in the room to move out.



Either way, I'd surely be thinking about whether really good idea or not.

If it it determined to be "sheetrock it is", depending on the area and
if there's some reason not otherwise, what about doing the perimeter
and filing in later? Then could have sorta' the best of both--get the
exterior edges on top of the walls and leave the bulk for later...

$0.02, etc., etc., etc., ...

--


--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On 10/3/2010 9:24 AM, Mikepier wrote:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Mudding the joints is easier if ceiling is done first, since you have
the factory edge on the wall against the surface of the ceiling. You
also don't scuff up the walls getting the ceiling panels up there,
especially if you are working alone. But if you can live with that, it
shouldn't cause any real problems.

I know some on here that say sheetrock is so easy and cheap, no reason
to NOT use it on a basement ceiling, because it is easy to patch if you
ever need to get to pipes and stuff. Being drywall-mud challenged, I do
not concur. I would look real hard at the alternatives. If you don't
like the cliche of a grid ceiling, they sell some other snap-together
systems that fit as tight against the joists as drywall, almost, but are
still easy to open up when needed. They cost more, but go up a lot
easier, and are easier to shim if needed if the ceiling is not perfectly
flat. If you heart is set on drywall, put access panels at all the
obvious places. And make sure to snake power, TV, LAN, etc, everyplace
you think you may EVER want it in basement AND on first floor, before
you seal it all up.

Oh, yeah- unless your basement has ALWAYS been bone-dry, you probably
want to use the non-paper drywall on the walls, below grade like that.
You don't have to have a flood- just a damp basement can make drywall
get funky. It could still look fine, but get soft, and have that
basement smell to it that never goes away, like a house that sat empty
for a couple years.

--
aem sends...

On Oct 3, 9:24*am, Mikepier wrote:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

do the cieling in something easily removable like tile etc.

basement cieling access is a necessary part of life and if there are
ANY electric outlets, work boxes or other electric devices up there
they must be accessible.
you see a funky spoot on cieling after job is complete. its nice to be
able to just take down a couple tiles to find out whats up.

On Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:11:37 -0400, willshak
wrote:

Mikepier wrote the following:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?


Ceiling panels are put up first because the ceiling panels are supported
at the wall edges where the joists run parallel to that wall.
There may be nothing there to nail the ceiling panels to that wall edge.
You can do it the opposite way as long as you provide nailers along the
ceiling along that wall.
It's early. I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet. Is the above
understandable?

Ceilings are 'rocked first to provide a full, uninterupted fire
barrier between the occupied basement space and the rest of the house.

In some areas it is a "code" requirement. Usually only applicable if
the basement is a "separate living area" such as an appartment.
In some areas, it is required if the basement includes "sleeping
areas"

Oh, yeah- unless your basement has ALWAYS been bone-dry, you probably
want to use the non-paper drywall on the walls, below grade like that.
You don't have to have a flood- just a damp basement can make drywall
get funky. It could still look fine, but get soft, and have that
basement smell to it that never goes away, like a house that sat empty
for a couple years.

--
aem sends...

Who sells paperless sheetrock? Last time I looked, Lowes or HD does
not carry them umless something changed since then.

On Oct 3, 7:15*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:11:37 -0400, willshak
wrote:



Mikepier wrote the following:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Ceiling panels are put up first because the ceiling panels are supported
at the wall edges where the joists run parallel to that wall.
There may be nothing there to nail the ceiling panels to that wall edge.
You can do it the opposite way as long as you provide nailers along the
ceiling along that wall.
It's early. I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet. Is the above
understandable?

Ceilings are 'rocked first to provide a full, uninterupted fire
barrier between the occupied basement space and the rest of the house.

We're talking a residential, single family house. There's no
requirement for any ceiling cover at all in a basement, except over
the heating equipment.

*In some areas it is a "code" requirement. Usually only applicable if
the basement is a "separate living area" such as an apartment.
In some areas, it is required if the basement includes "sleeping
areas"

What's with the quote marks?

R

On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 03:37:43 -0700 (PDT), Mikepier
wrote:

Oh, yeah- unless your basement has ALWAYS been bone-dry, you probably
want to use the non-paper drywall on the walls, below grade like that.
You don't have to have a flood- just a damp basement can make drywall
get funky. It could still look fine, but get soft, and have that
basement smell to it that never goes away, like a house that sat empty
for a couple years.

--
aem sends...

Who sells paperless sheetrock? Last time I looked, Lowes or HD does
not carry them umless something changed since then.
A REAL building supply store.

On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 04:07:57 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour
wrote:

On Oct 3, 7:15Â*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:11:37 -0400, willshak
wrote:



Mikepier wrote the following:
I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Ceiling panels are put up first because the ceiling panels are supported
at the wall edges where the joists run parallel to that wall.
There may be nothing there to nail the ceiling panels to that wall edge.
You can do it the opposite way as long as you provide nailers along the
ceiling along that wall.
It's early. I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet. Is the above
understandable?

Ceilings are 'rocked first to provide a full, uninterupted fire
barrier between the occupied basement space and the rest of the house.

We're talking a residential, single family house. There's no
requirement for any ceiling cover at all in a basement, except over
the heating equipment.

Â*In some areas it is a "code" requirement. Usually only applicable if
the basement is a "separate living area" such as an apartment.
In some areas, it is required if the basement includes "sleeping
areas"

What's with the quote marks?

R
"code" as in local code, not national building code - "separate
living area" as quote from reqirement, same as "sleeping areas".

In some instances referred to as "occupied area"

On Oct 4, 4:18*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 04:07:57 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour wrote:
On Oct 3, 7:15*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:11:37 -0400, willshak wrote:
Mikepier wrote the following:

I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Ceiling panels are put up first because the ceiling panels are supported
at the wall edges where the joists run parallel to that wall.
There may be nothing there to nail the ceiling panels to that wall edge.
You can do it the opposite way as long as you provide nailers along the
ceiling along that wall.
It's early. I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet. Is the above
understandable?

Ceilings are 'rocked first to provide a full, uninterupted fire
barrier between the occupied basement space and the rest of the house.

We're talking a residential, single family house. *There's no
requirement for any ceiling cover at all in a basement, except over
the heating equipment.

*In some areas it is a "code" requirement. Usually only applicable if
the basement is a "separate living area" such as an apartment.
In some areas, it is required if the basement includes "sleeping
areas"

What's with the quote marks?

*"code" as in local code, not national building code - "separate
living area" as quote from reqirement, same as "sleeping areas".

In some instances referred to as "occupied area"

Code always refers to applicable code.
Separate living area is exactly identical in meaning to "separate
living area", as is sleeping areas identical to "sleeping areas".

You're going to wear out your " key.

R

On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 14:21:51 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour
wrote:

On Oct 4, 4:18Â*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 04:07:57 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour wrote:
On Oct 3, 7:15Â*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:11:37 -0400, willshak wrote:
Mikepier wrote the following:

I am working to re-finish my basement. It is presently finished but it
is dated with old paneling and 1x1 ceiling tiles.
I would like to work in stages rather than disrupt the whole basement
so I can work at my own pace and still have the kids, family use the
rest of the basement.
I want to do the walls first,frame around some ductwork, then
sheetrock the ceiling later when I'm ready. I know they say sheetrock
the ceiling first, but is there any problem if I do it after I
sheetrock the walls?

Ceiling panels are put up first because the ceiling panels are supported
at the wall edges where the joists run parallel to that wall.
There may be nothing there to nail the ceiling panels to that wall edge.
You can do it the opposite way as long as you provide nailers along the
ceiling along that wall.
It's early. I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet. Is the above
understandable?

Ceilings are 'rocked first to provide a full, uninterupted fire
barrier between the occupied basement space and the rest of the house.

We're talking a residential, single family house. Â*There's no
requirement for any ceiling cover at all in a basement, except over
the heating equipment.

Â*In some areas it is a "code" requirement. Usually only applicable if
the basement is a "separate living area" such as an apartment.
In some areas, it is required if the basement includes "sleeping
areas"

What's with the quote marks?

Â*"code" as in local code, not national building code - "separate
living area" as quote from reqirement, same as "sleeping areas".

In some instances referred to as "occupied area"

Code always refers to applicable code.
Separate living area is exactly identical in meaning to "separate
living area", as is sleeping areas identical to "sleeping areas".

You're going to wear out your " key.

R
If I do I have a pile of spare ones. (keys and keyboards)

On Oct 4, 9:13*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 14:21:51 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour wrote:

You're going to wear out your " key.

If I do I have a pile of spare ones. (keys and keyboards)

Okay, but if you wear out my monitor, you're buying me some new
pixels.

R