A basement is a floor or several stories of a building, which is completely or partially below the ground floor. All buildings do not necessarily have basements. Houses with basements have their water heater, air conditioning system and furnace located here. Basements improve land utilization and energy consumption. They also serve to provide more functional space. The ceiling of the basement needs to be constructed keeping certain specifications in mind.

Construction of Basement Ceiling

The basement ceiling construction is generally framed to allow space for electrical wires, water pipes and ducting. One can choose to use drywall to cover the ceiling of the basement. A suspended ceiling can also be made. The drywall is a better option as they offer a warmer look than the commercial looking suspended ceilings and due to the low cost of the material used. This also provides space to install a wooden frame. Installing the drywall vertically makes the pieces smaller, lighter and easier to work with. A solid backing for the ceiling requires good furring and framed boxes. Another feasible option is acoustic ceiling tiles, which are easy to cut, small and easy to handle. They can be installed by stapling them to the furring strips. It is possible to install the drywall and suspended ceilings individually with no professional help.

Decoration Options

One can decorate the basement ceiling to add aesthetic sense to the basement. People with tropical or cottage styled houses can hang bamboo from the beams to extend the motifs. The bamboo can be painted for a livelier look. It is also possible to cover the basement ceiling with fabric to give it a shirred look. It could be gathered around the center of the basement ceiling or hung from one side of the room to the other. In case of a long and thin basement, it is recommended that the fabric be gathered along the width of the basement. This serves to expand the room visually. One can achieve a very modern and industrial look by painting the ducts and water pipes.
One can experiment with different paints and wallpaper motifs to make the basement-ceiling look good. There are various do-it-yourself guides available for basement remodeling and decoration.

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