Drop ceiling vs drywall

The design of your basement can be a very difficult decision to make. Many people are in-between when it comes to finishing the basement, but many homeowners want to do so in order to have more space in their house. There are various ways in which you can go about doing this, one being the drop ceiling cost vs drywall.
Deciding on these two options can be tricky and very costly. You will need to weigh your options carefully before deciding on either of them; they both come with their own benefits and drawbacks.
It is important for you, as a homeowner, to fully understand what each entails before making such a decision. This article seeks to break down their differences for better understanding:
What is drywall?
Drywall is a building material typically made of stiff paper. It is mostly used in making interior walls and ceilings. Drywall has several layers, including a face, a core, and a back sheet.
The different drywalls available include:
- Standard drywall – this type of building material comes with an embossed pattern on the surface to mimic the look of traditional plastering work.
- Greenboard – this type is water resistant and has been treated to reduce damage from mold growth. This can be important since most basements have high humidity levels that allow for mold growth which is why it’s recommended that you install them as soon as possible before mold sets in; especially if you like having wet rooms such as those with a shower or bathtub.
- Fire-resistant drywall – this is fire resistant and has a mineral core making it more fire proof than the general drywalls. This type of building material is great for basements with many electrical appliances that might cause a fire if ignited. It can also be useful in bathrooms, kitchens and even high traffic rooms since it helps in reducing soundproofing between two rooms by up to 50%.
Standard and green board drywalls are relatively easy to install when compared to fire-resistant or resilient drywall. They do carry the risk of damage from moisture, but they do cost way cheaper than other alternatives such as drop ceiling cost vs drywall.
Fire-resistant and resilient drywalls are more expensive than traditional drywalls, but they are stronger. They are also less prone to damage from moisture since they have been treated beforehand. However, they are heavier than the standard types of drywalls making them harder to install.
What is a drop ceiling?
A drop ceiling is a type of suspended ceiling that is often used in commercial buildings or homes with high ceilings. It consists of tiles that hang from metal hangers attached to wires or tracks on the roof structure. These tiles can be large or small depending on their function; the larger ones tend to be structural while smaller ones serve purely decorative purposes. Drop ceilings provide easy access to pipes, heating ducts, and other mechanical features of a building.
There are several types of drop ceiling panels:
- Fiberglass – this type does not support mold and mildew growth making it ideal for basements and bathrooms. The tiles tend to be very durable and can easily last for years without showing any sign of damage or deterioration; also, the material is fire-resistant making them safe in places with high heat conditions. On the flip side, they are less soundproofing than traditional drywall s which makes them not suitable for high traffic rooms or in areas where privacy is important.
- Tiles made from gypsum board – these are the most commonly used since they are cheap when compared to fiberglass alternatives. They do carry risk of damage from moisture and mold growth, but they are lightweight and require low maintenance.
- Acoustic tiles – this type is ideal in places where privacy or soundproofing is important such as in bedrooms and libraries. They come with a high level of sound absorption making them an ideal choice for areas that produce loud sounds often. On the flip side, acoustic tiles do not support mold growth making them less suitable for basements.
Price for these two types
The cost of these building materials varies depending on their size, texture, and installation method.
A drop ceiling is the cheaper of the two since it can be used multiple times and installed by anyone even if you don’t have prior experience. If installation takes too long, it also makes sense to get a professional for installation services since these tiles tend to break easily during replacement which means that you will require more drop ceiling cost vs drywall.
On the other hand, installing pre-made tiles takes time especially when working alone; ensure that whoever does this task knows what he/she is doing because a minor mistake might lead to bigger issues in the future. However, with proper instruction and some practice, most homeowners with no experience can handle this task without trouble though it will take them longer than a professional.
Drywall costs around $2 per square foot while ceiling tiles cost between $5 and $7 per square foot depending on the type you choose to install. It should be noted that drop ceiling tiles do not come with an embossed surface so they tend to look flatter than fiberglass panels; acoustic tiles are also better at absorbing sound compared to regular drywall panels.
What’re the pros and cons of using drywall?
Drywall comes with several benefits including:
- Fire resistance – most modern types of drywall have been treated to remain unaffected by the fire. This makes it a great option for homes located in neared areas since it will not catch fire easily
- Easy to install – drywall does not require any special installation making it easy to use by DIY enthusiasts. They are also lightweight for easier transportation and handling around the house or workplace.
- Low cost – they are relatively cheap when compared to other alternatives such as drop ceiling cost.
Drywalls do carry disadvantages which include:
- Static properties – many types of drywall materials tend to accumulate static electricity that causes them to attract dust. This makes it necessary to clean, vacuum and sprinkle the powder on them at regular intervals; especially in areas where there is a lot of traffic.
- Moist damage – most modern types do not carry the risk of damage from moisture, but older types do. If you experience sagging or buckling in your drywall, it’s best to get them replaced before mold growth sets in.
- Sound insulation – while this is a great benefit for places that need privacy, it can be a drawback for areas that require soundproofings such as recording studios and churches. If your room does not already have a high level of soundproofing via carpets, furniture, and windows; using drywall may not be the best idea since they are known to reduce noise by 30%.
What’re the pros and cons of using drop ceiling?
Advantages of a drop ceiling.
- The biggest advantage of using drop ceilings is that they do not require any special installation. This means that you won’t have to hire a professional plumber and electrician for their installation which can save quite a lot on project costs. Drop ceiling cost vs drywall They come in small tiles that are easy to handle and transport around your building even when working alone.
- Another benefit of using drop ceilings is the fact that they fit perfectly over several types of existing ceilings without requiring any removal or modifications; this can save quite a lot of headache especially if you don’t want additional holes found in your walls later on.
Disadvantages of this type of ceiling.
One downside which makes people consider drywall instead is the fact that they offer less sound insulation making them unsuitable in places where soundproofing is required. They are however perfect for places where occupants need a little bit of privacy such as a library, basement, and garages.
What’s the difference between these two?
Well, both offer great benefits but when you place them side by side; using drop ceilings tends to be cheaper in the long run since they can be used multiple times, unlike drywall that must be replaced often. However, that also means that it costs more upfront when compared to drywall since they don’t come cheap.
Drop ceiling cost vs drywall Pre-made tiles made from gypsum board do not require special installation which makes them ideal for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners who like working on their own. Once you buy the tiles you will require nothing but a drill, installation accessories, and your selected tiles to create an attractive ceiling. Drywall requires special tools for nailing, cutting, shaping, and other tasks associated with its installation which are expensive to acquire.
The cost of installing each varies depending on where they are being installed as well as the thickness required by your space since thicker tiles tend to be more costly than thinner ones that offer less sound insulation. They both come in several shapes and sizes to suit almost any application around your home or workplace making them great for DIY enthusiasts who like customizing their spaces according to their unique needs.
Difference in installment methods
Drop ceilings are installed by simply mounting them on the substructure of your ceiling while drywalls require you to first cut into the wall around it, then apply insulation and finally install the panels. Depending on where your walls are located; this may involve cutting into doors, windows, or even plumbing which can be costly depending on what is required to access your space since there is no guarantee that you will not need to replace these when finished with the installation.
While pre-made tiles might require a bit of practice before you master them completely; drop ceilings come pre-cut into small tiles that can be handled easily by just about anyone even when working alone. Once you decide on the number of tiles required for your space, simply open the box and begin installation immediately after purchasing them. All you need is an installation kit available at any hardware store near you.
Drywalls are very easy to install although depending on where they are located; this might involve cutting into doors or windows which can be challenging especially if you don’t have the experience required for this task.
As long as there are no special requirements, drywall remains cheaper than drop ceiling cost vs drywall in the long run since you only need to cut through your walls and do some insulation before installation can begin. One major downside however is that it requires experience for proper installation; ensure that whoever does the work knows what he/she is doing because if not done properly, you will require fixing the damage plus having someone else to correct their mistakes.
I want to install it myself – what’s my next move?
Well, apart from determining whether your desired space is better suited for one over the other; both of these ceilings come with accessories that allow DIY enthusiasts like yourself to install them without professional help. Once you decide on your choice and purchase the required supplies; you’ll need to prepare your space for installation and create a plan that outlines how you’re going to accomplish everything by yourself. This is all it takes; follow the instructions carefully and soon enough; you will be enjoying a wonderful new ceiling in no time!
What should I use for my garage?
Garages are probably one of the best areas to use drop ceilings since they readily absorb noise and require little maintenance over their lifetime. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way of making your garage look more attractive and presentable at minimal costs, then go with drop ceiling cost vs drywall drop ceilings which will provide great benefits without breaking your bank account.
What should I use for my basement?
Basements require insulation and soundproofing which makes them a great application for drywalls. Using a drop ceiling would be an ineffective choice because they cannot provide the necessary noise insulation and security against water seeping through your foundation; this can make you incur more repair costs later on due to leakage around your basement walls.