On average, expect to pay between $9 and $13 per square foot for standard installation and materials. However, drop ceiling installation costs can range anywhere from $5 to $28 per square foot, and are highly dependent on the cost of the drop ceiling tiles you choose.
It's also referred to as T-bar ceiling, false ceiling, grid ceiling, drop-in ceiling, drop-out ceiling, or ceiling tiles. The national average cost for installing a drop ceiling is between $955 and $1,510, with most people paying around $1,494 for a 130 sq. ft.
Drywall materials are much cheaper but the labor is more. If the job is big enough to bring in professionals then drywall will be less costly.
Drop ceilings work well in hiding otherwise unsightly necessities such as pipes and mechanicals, but automatically give off a “cheap” feeling. If your ultimate goal is to increase the value of your home, drop ceilings are the last thing on the list.
Disadvantages of Drop Ceilings
Lack of headroom: These suspended ceilings lower the ceiling height and take up headroom. Durability: Tiles and panels are lightweight, and they're not particularly sturdy. They don't last as long as other ceiling types.
Drop ceilings offer sound absorption in large areas, making them a good choice to create a comfortable acoustic environment. Drywall ceilings also offer sound protection, but they're more effective in preventing sound from entering or exiting rather than absorbing sound.
Suspended ceilings are one of the most popular basement ceilings. Consisting of a simple grid and lightweight tiles or panels, a suspended ceiling covers exposed beams, ductwork, and electrical wiring, while allowing easy access for repairs or leaks.
The main purpose of a drop or suspended ceiling is to create a plenum, the space that houses the building's plumbing, HVAC and electrical infrastructure. With a drop ceiling, these building services can be hidden from view while they remain easily accessible.
Drywall is a great option for basement ceilings or any ceiling for that matter. Drywall has a nice, clean, finished, polished look.
Glue-On and Staple-On Ceilings
If you're looking for an affordable option that's low maintenance and easy to install, consider a glue-on or staple-on ceiling. They're available in basic textures and elaborate designs and attach directly to the existing ceiling or onto furring strips attached to the ceiling.
Modern dropped ceilings were initially created to hide the building infrastructure, including piping, wiring, and/or ductwork, by creating a plenum space above the dropped ceiling, while allowing access for repairs and inspections. Drop ceilings may also be used to hide problems, such as structural damage.
Replacing a drop ceiling with drywall costs $3 to $11 per square foot. Removing the drop ceiling grid and tiles makes up $1 to $7 per square foot of the replacement cost. A drop ceiling costs $4 to $20 per square foot installed, depending on the ceiling height and the tile type and material.
You can install a drop ceiling with 2-foot-square tiles by yourself in a medium-sized room. The project takes about a day or two and costs less than $1,000.
As you consider both options, you'll likely find that drywall tends to be less expensive to install than a drop ceiling due to the complexity of the grid system.
If decorative ceiling tiles aren't in your budget, but you want a visually interesting basement ceiling, you can create a similar effect for a fraction of the cost using adhesive ceiling tiles. The tiles are available in an endless number of shapes, sizes, and colors and go on with glue, so they're DIY friendly.
The primary advantage of a drop ceiling is accessibility! Simply pop a panel out to access wiring, mechanical, drain lines, and water lines. In the event of a water leak, a ceiling tile can be easily replaced while drywall must be cut, patched, sanded, primed, and painted.
At approximately 2 inches of depth, closed cell spray foam can create a vapor barrier, while open cell cannot, no matter how much of it is sprayed. The average basement does not need a vapor barrier in the ceiling, even if the basement remains unfinished.
Additionally, this material is not the most durable and will need to be replaced more frequently than other materials. Despite its popularity and durability, drywall is not immune to water damage. It is especially susceptible to water damage, as water can easily seep into the material and cause various problems.
One of the downsides to this ceiling option is that it does deteriorate much quicker than other types. In fact, if there is a leak in the roof, you will quickly notice that the ceiling tiles turn brown and the staining is near impossible to remove, which means the tiles need to be replaced.
As I may have mentioned, I don't typically suggest suspended or drop ceilings/ceiling tiles in basements and for many reasons. One good one is that you'll lose value to your home. Ask any realtor; they should tell you that buyers prefer drywall ceilings in the basement to match the upstairs!
The cost to install a drop ceiling typically ranges from $1,078 to $3,315, and the average price to install one of these aesthetically pleasing, highly functional features is around $2,188.
If you want to stick with a traditional look, choose an exposed basement ceiling white. It's clean, bright, and easy to match with other colors. Plus, it can make the space feel taller or more spacious.
What is the easiest ceiling to install? Surface-mount ceilings are the easiest to install. The grid for the system is much easier to install than the drop-ceiling grid, and the tiles attach directly to the grid.