Drywall Basement Ceiling

[TProGuy]

In the process of finishing my basement and decided that I like the idea of drywalling the ceiling as opposed to installing a false ceiling (fiberglass panels).

What is the best way to attach the drywall to the ceiling? Should I just screw it to the joists in the ceiling, or should I install some 1x3 or 1x4 pine strapping perpendicular to the joists to screw the drywall to?

[walleyeseeker]

There is no benefit to installing firring stips. Screw it directly to the floor joists.

[polarsusd81]

Like seeker said, directly to the floor joists is your best bet.

[JohnMickish]

I will agree that a drywall ceiling looks better but it pretty much cuts off any future remodels and/or repair work that needs to be done above it. Just make sure that you have your lights in the right place, for the next 50 years.

[Sandmannd]

Just to right to the joists. Like said above make sure you can still get to what you need to get too. If you have a lot of plumbing, gas or electric make sure you have access still. I did drywall for most of my reck room, but where piping and other stuff was I used a drop ceiling.

[Nutty Fisherman]

I used what looks like a drop ceiling but it screwed right to the floor joices. the cost was a little more but didn't loose any height to the room

[Sandmannd]

Nutty, I did that in my bathroom. It works great. Harder to get in there, but does look good and no hight loss like you mentioned.

[IFallsRon]

I'd advise adding some glass insulation, too, as a sound barrier.

[JAR JAR]

Save yourself some back strain and use a 1\2 sag resistant s/r for your ceiling instead of 5\8.It will cost you about the same as 5/8 but it is alot easier hang.''

Jar Jar

[TProGuy]

Thanks for the advice everyone...I will proceed with my original thought of just attaching it directly to the joists!

[captainstevo]

I would have to say that they above idea of half inch nosag would be a great suggestion. I hang sheetrock alot, part of the trade, and I would have to say the few things I would recomend to someone doing it themselves would be, Get at least one, prefferably 2 people to help you, borrow, buy, or weasel your way into getting a sheetrocking gun, they are worth saving a huge headache. I would also spend a little extra time preping the room(s) make sure nothing is going to be in the way when you have a sheet above your head, this can be very painful. and make sure you have something to screw to all the way around the edges so that you are not screwing a loose end to air and possibly swearing more.

I hope there is something here that can make your project a little easier

[Nutty Fisherman]

Be sure to check to see if the bottom of the floor joices are level. When I did my basement ceiling I had to strip some because they were not level as you would think they should be with the upper floor being level. Just run a string line along them to see.