Sometimes it is better to box in ducts and beams, and maximize the ceiling height elsewhere. To me, that is preferable to having a low ceiling everywhere. I am 6" tall and 7" is just too low to feel comfortable.

I don't know the average height of basement ceilings. Mine before ceiling was installed was about 7'11. After ceiling grid was installed, it is around 7'10". I used a celing grid system called ceiling link. (www.kensa.com) it's just like a suspended ceiling except that the grid attaches directly to the celing joists, so you only lose about an inch, as comapred to 6 or more inches with a typical suspended ceiling.

Home depot sells a similar product, but it's a lot more expensive. I installed the ceiling myself, and its pretty easy, although a little time consuming.

This is the reason why I didn't do a drop ceiling. 7' is too low for the entire ceiling. Box-in the duct work for max ceiling height.

I boxed in the ducts, which made that part of the ceiling 7'2". The rest is suspended and sits right at 8' with plenty of room for can lights.

Bill

Wandawoman:
yes, boxed-in duct work is usually framed and drywalled over.

If you prefer a drop ceiling, and don't mind it being so low. Then, theres no need to box-in the duct work.

Goodluck
-jasper

Wandawoman:
I re-read your post and did some internet searching.
Is this the finish you're trying to achieve?...

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Jasper - thanks for the info and the picture. This is very helpful.

Wandawoman

This is what I plan on doing.

Here is a link that might be useful: boxed in

My ducts are boxed-in and drywalled. The rest of the ceiling is 2'x2' panels in a traditional suspended grid 4" below the joists. The boxed-in part is 7' off the floor and the rest of the ceiling is 7'8". I put recessed lighting in between the joists.

Here are some pictures:


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P.S. I think 4" is the absolute minimum you have to drop a traditional suspended ceiling and even then I felt like I was doing the world's most boring puzzle, trying to fit in some of the panels. Plus that's the minimum clearance needed to fit in my couple of fluorescent lights.

Also, I had a couple of things running below the joists in places, so I couldn't attach drywall or one of those new panel systems directly to the joists--I would have had to drop them a couple of inches anyway with furring strips I guess. So in the end the traditional suspended ceiling only cost me 1-2" over other options.

I was viewing the pictures of the finished basement for they are helpful but we just had a heat ventilation system put in this past winter,,the ducts are hanging near the window and not sure how I would box those in without interfering with being able to open the window. I want to post a picture on here but not sure how to do that,,can someone please tell me how to ad a picture to my post so someone can look at my duct work? Thanks

Tracy

does anyone know the maximium width a soffit can be? We have a cold air return and supply running side by side and need to soffit both. i know that we need to have a mimum height of 6'6" from floor to bottom of soffit. it also says "spaced not less than 4 feet on center." I guess that means not less than 4 feet apart. but how wide can a single soffit be?

Hello I have a finish basement I'm looking for the long plastic light cover the florescence light. I want something fancy not like the ones sold at lowes/home depot. I'm looking for the plastic one with a design on them,maybe like frosted with a clear patter.Can you tell me where I can shop in Detroit michigan or on the internet...Thanks

tracyg65 said: I want to post a picture on here but not sure how to do that

Go to Photobucket, set up an account and follow the simple directions from there.

Here are photos of two of four living areas in our basement.

I always try to maximize headroom by boxing.

Check out these ceiling calculators. They helped me a bit, then i was rebuilding my apartment.
http://www.ceilingworld.com/addon/

Here is a link that might be useful: Ceiling calculators

It's worth mentioning that you don't have to use drywall to create the vertical face(s) of the box when stepping from one ceiling height to the next. This can be done using the suspended ceiling tiles themselves. Read 'tip 17' in the attached link from the Armstrong website. If the link doesn't work, just google,'armstrong tips for professional ceiling installers'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tips for Professional Ceiling Installers