Suspended Ceiling

    Suspended ceilings aren't known for their beauty. The ugly grids and rice cake like tiles repulse most - even those who could care less about decorating. But for years they've been our only option in basements, unless you're willing to take the risk of putting up a beautiful drywall ceiling and having a pipe break a week or two later. You know, some people actually do take that risk because suspended ceiling are that ugly.
    But for those of us who can't afford to install a new drywall ceiling every time a pipe leaks, we're stuck with suspended ceilings. A few years back that might have lead to moans, but not anymore. Suspended ceilings have a whole new look.
    That's right. The rice cake tiles have been upgraded to beautiful versions that you might even consider using in your kitchen or bedroom. I know that's a bold statement, but after visiting Armstrong and seeing them for myself, I feel confident making it. The new suspended ceiling tiles are so attractive you won't need to learn how to love your basement ceiling anymore - it will just come natural.


Why Suspended Ceilings are Used in Basements

    While at Armstrong, I had the pleasure of spending the day with the company's Marketing Manager, Rich Wiley. He had promised to show me the updated suspended ceiling tiles. But before taking the product tour, I thought it was a good idea to refresh our memories on why we endured suspended ceilings for so long. So I asked Wiley to explain.
    "A suspended ceiling is a good option because it gives you access to the home systems above them that might be running through the joists, like electrical and plumbing," Wiley said. "In case you have a leak or something goes wrong, you can get easy access to those systems and you don't have to cut out through the drywall and then repaint the whole ceiling and potentially bring in a contractor to do that repair."
    Instead, if you use a suspended ceiling, you can pop out a tile, fix the problem, put in a new tile if needed and call it a day. That simple. Having a suspended ceiling, which is also known as a drop down ceiling, makes household problems easier to endure and cheaper to fix. So more than likely, we'll be stuck with suspended ceilings for much, much longer. Luckily, now they also look good.


Selecting Attractive Tiles

    While the selection for suspended ceiling tiles isn't as big as many would hope, it's a start and a good one at that. You can choose from different patterns ranging from simple raised panels to intricate designs. But the most exciting development is that you can also get them in tin. If you want to recreate the look of an old pub in your basement, there are now tin suspended ceiling tiles to complete the look.
    When picking a suspended ceiling tile the trick is to get one that camouflages the suspended grid the tiles sit in. Look for tiles that have a grid like pattern, and if possible, ask if you can see a sample grid with the tiles in it. That way you'll know exactly what you're getting.
    Another tip to consider when shopping for suspended ceiling tiles, is to stick with two feet by two feet tiles. The smaller size tiles are a more tolerable look, Wiley said.
If your current suspended ceiling has two feet by four feet tiles, you can purchase extra cross Ts to be able to create a grid that works for two feet by two feet tiles, according to Wiley.


Customizing Your Suspended Ceiling

    In addition to having decorative designs, many suspended ceiling tiles and grids can be painted.
"You can paint them any color you like," Wiley said. "Some people paint them black if they have a movie room or a theater in the basement and you just paint the grid and the tile."
    Before painting your suspended ceiling, consider purchasing an extra box of tiles for practice. That way you can test out different colors or faux finishing techniques. Once your test tiles dry, pop them in the grid and decide which one you like best.

Installing a Suspended Ceiling

    If you already have a suspended ceiling, you can just pop out your current tiles and pop in the new ones you like. But for those with unfinished basements, you're in for some work. Some may choose to pass the work off to the professionals, while others opt to do it on their own. After all, when I asked Wiley if it was a do-it-yourself job, he said absolutely.  
    "As long as you plan it out well first before you get started, it's very simple," Wiley said. "Leveling was usually the challenge, but now with laser levels available - you can rent them from any home improvement store - it makes leveling out the ceiling very easy."
    If you do decide to install a suspended ceiling, make sure you purchase a suspended ceiling system from a manufacturer with very good instructions. It's a good idea to look at the instructions online - if possible - before buying.
    When it comes to selecting tiles, always make sure the suspended ceiling tiles you purchase are intended for use in basements. If not, they may be susceptible to mold due to the increased humidity found in basements. Plus, it's always smart to get a few extra boxes of tiles in case you do have a pipe leak. That way you'll have a tile to replace the ruined one. After all, that's why we use suspended ceilings in the first place. They're so easy to fix - as long as you have extra tiles, that is.