Cheapest option is drywall.
Another affordable choice is installing beadboard or thin plywood panels directly onto the textured surface. If you're up for it, you could also explore wallpaper or ceiling tiles, though they might be a tad pricier.
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.
Yes, you can replace a portion of your ceiling by carefully removing the damaged part, ensuring a clean cut around it. Install a new section that matches the existing ceiling in thickness and texture. Finish by taping, mudding, and blending it into the surrounding area to make the repair inconspicuous.
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.
With patience, the right tools and a friend to help you, hanging drywall is not very difficult. Once you've learned how to hang drywall, learn how to tape and finish the installed drywall for professional-quality results. The joint work is really easier than it seems and provides very satisfying results.
Plywood is cost-effective and easy to work with. MDF is cheap but less sturdy. Cement board costs more but lasts longer in damp areas. Beadboard and veneer plaster are stylish options.
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.
For the smoothest ceiling, sand the ceiling first with 100-grit drywall sanding paper. If you're painting a textured ceiling, there's no need to sand. You'll use both a brush (for cutting in corners) and a roller (for the ceiling). When selecting paint, choose a paint formulated for ceilings.
Covering Existing Ceilings
No need to fret about tearing down the existing ceiling, just use a surface mount installation system. Other ceilings, like metal tiles pressed with unique designs, can be nailed to drywall or plaster ceilings using coordinating cone head nails.
Its tensile strength is high enough to withstand impact damage. Plywood also has high resistance against water and chemical damage, albeit not as high as natural wood. All of these traits make plywood an excellent sheathing for your ceiling.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
Ceiling paint
If you're looking for a quick solution to an ugly ceiling, then painting is one of the most cost-effective permanent ones. Lighter paint colours give the illusion of expanded space, while dark colours create a snug, warm environment.
Hang Ceiling Drywall First
When hanging drywall, always hang the ceiling first. This is the hardest drywall to hang, so get a partner and go slow.
In terms of drop ceiling versus drywall costs, drywall costs less overall. On average, drywall installation costs between $1.50 and $3.00 per square foot, while a drop ceiling costs $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot. Prices can vary based on factors like location, complexity of installation, and materials used.
The concept was simplicity itself. Using wires, brackets and removable panels, a finished ceiling could be hung, dropped, or suspended below the structural ceiling, concealing all the necessary mess but providing ready access to it when needed.
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.
Gypsum board is the cheapest ceiling material, and the ceiling style can be achieved. More, the decoration is very powerful. Gypsum board ceiling materials are divided into light steel keel gypsum board ceiling and wood keel gypsum board ceiling.