Drop ceilings come in different styles and colors at an affordable price. They are very lightweight and can be installed without going through much hassle.
The installment process is very quick and anyone can do it. They provide attractive visuals with the functionality of hiding things. They are also strong and durable.
Moreover, drop callings can be used as an extra storage area so it in a way saves your house space and bucks too.
Because of its easy installation and cheap price, many consider it to be the primary option for different parts of their home. It is wise to choose materials that will be durable.
However, if you are considering a drop ceiling for your garage, we will explore the feasibility and the options for materials here.
Putting a drop ceiling in a garage
Drop ceilings are considered a good option for garages. Because they are lightweight and easy to install. Besides, they can hide any unprotected wires and plumbing. But, they are more expensive than dry walls. They can enhance the beauty of the garage but cannot provide storage space.
A drop ceiling is a better alternative for your garage than dry walls. They can add on beauty and provide a hiding place for any exposed wires and plumbing.
Even you can easily access the wires or plumbing when you need them. You can remove the drop ceiling and do the needful.
Drop ceilings are easy to install. Most people can easily install them by themselves and it is a very quick process. But drywalls require at least two people to install. But, drop ceilings are expensive and cannot provide storage space.
To minimize the cost, you can use simple tiles in your garage as the garage does not require fancy looking.
However, follow the following steps to hang a drop ceiling on your garage.
Measurement:
First of all, you need to measure the length of each wall of your garage. Use a measurement tape and write down the length and width of each wall.
Then make a line between 4-6 inches down the top of the wall.
This space is required for putting fixtures and tiles. Then, you need to cut angles to the length of your wall. Wall angles are long L-shaped pieces and they are installed as a supporting element to the tiles.
Angles are usually found 8-12 ft in the market. But you can trip them as per your requirement. You can use tin snips to cut angles.
The next step is to screw the angles into the studs along with the lines previously drawn. Use 1.25-inches screws and a screwdriver to secure the wall angles.
Grid system:
For putting the grid system, you need to fit a runner to the length of your garage to support the ceiling weight. For the placement of the grid line, you first need to make lines every 4 ft. distance.
You can use chalk or strings for making the lines. Then screw eyelets into every third joist along the lines. Eyelets are used for hanging the main runner by a wire.
You will need an 8-10 inch piece of wire to run through the eyelets, and bend it with a pliers until it points down.
Hold one of your main runners up and align it with the angles attached to the wall. Make it perpendicular to the joist. Feed other wires through the slots of your runner and bend it up with pilers. For additional security, twist the wires at least 3 times.
Hang all the main runners following the previous step. Install the secondary runner’s perpendicular to the first ones and clip them tight with the mains. The minimum distance of the secondary runner should be 2 ft.
Tile installment:
Before installing tiles, make holes where you need for any lights or ductape work. Make sure the measurement is almost accurate, or your tiles would be a waste.
Besides, cut the edges of your tiles according to your garage structure. It’s obvious that at the corner or edge, the tile size will not fit properly and you will need some adjustment. So trim the edges using your utility knife.
The last but not the least, angle your tiles and lift through the grid and set them on the top of grids. Straighten the tiles enough to make it perfect. If the tiles are not leveled properly, you can adjust the runner.
Continue putting them until the whole ceiling is covered. You better start from the middle and move towards the edges.
Do you need to rivet drop ceiling in garage?
A rivet is an unthreaded shaft to join two or more parts together through a hole. Rivet basically ensures a strong connection between two or more parts. For the secure placement of any floating materials, rivets are mandatory.
You will need to rivet the drop ceiling in your garage. For installing a drop ceiling, you will need to put grids first of all just 4-6 inches below the top ceiling.
To secure the grids, the main runners are hanged parallel to the top ceiling. Runners are basically set on the angles with the help of a rivet. Besides, they are also hanged from the joist.
An eyelet is inserted into the joist to hang the runners. And on the angles, the runners are attached through rivets. As a result, the runner cannot move and the grid remains safe in your garage.
How much does it cost to put in a drop ceiling in a garage?
You may need to spend $5 to $28 per square foot of drop ceiling for both labor and materials. An additional $2 per square foot is required if you put insulating panels behind the tiles and $1 for decorative rail covers.
Expenses on tiles mainly depend on your choice and materials. Wood tiles are more expensive than fiberboard tiles.
The wood tiles cost up to $20 per square foot whereas fiberboard tiles cost $5 to $7 per square foot. On average, you can estimate $13 per square foot of tiles.
Along with material costs, you will need labor costs if you want to install the drop ceiling by professionals. Usually, the labor cost is $5 per square foot if you hire a ceiling tile installer. But if you want to save the labor cost, install the tile on your own.
What should I use for ceiling in garage?
People often avoid to minimize the cost while preparing their garage. But you can make your garage more functional and aesthetic with minimal adjustment for example use a garage ceiling as storage space as well as for other purposes.
The following materials can be used as your garage ceiling.
Dry Wall:
Drywalls are the most commonly used and accessible ceiling material nowadays. You can use drywall in your garage. They are basically ply boards with plaster on it.
It is so durable that often used on construction sites. It does not require much effort to work with and you can easily make it more attractive by painting or applying wallpapers to it.
Aluminum Soffit:
This material of ceiling is very much durable and attractive. They reflect lights and easily go with both modern and traditional interior designs.
Vinyl Breadboard Soffit:
If you want an attractive, easy-to-install material for your garage, you should go for Vinyl Breadboard Soffit. They are very long-lasting indoor materials. The appearance is almost similar to Aluminum Soffit.
Gypsum:
Gypsum is basically a sedimentary rock which is converted into ceiling panels. They are smaller and cheaper than dry walls.
So you can easily use them in your garage but make sure that there is no moisture. Keep it in mind that Gypsum cannot sustain outdoor.
Cork:
Cork is an eco-friendly material and looks very nice as the ceiling. You can use them in your garage and they are very easy to install. They come as both waxed and unwaxed. It depends on your mood and how you want your garage to look.
PVC Tiles:
They are a very good option for garage ceilings. They are within budget and have a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors. They come with a matte finish and are fire-resistant.
Oriented strand board:
OSB is basically used in the construction industry for its capability of load-bearing. They can be used as ceiling shelves to bear lighter suspended loads.
They are also affordable. You can paint them or cover them with wallpapers as per your requirement.
Final Thoughts
There are many alternatives available to use as a garage ceiling. The material choice mainly depends on budget and outlook. Any material that meets both the requirements can be used as the ceiling. Drop ceilings are more expensive than any other materials. But they are aesthetics in appearance.