I am remodeling my basement, and I really didn‘t want to do anything to the ceiling at all, but I realized that would just leave open top sheet rock at the tops of walls. I really don‘t want to do a sheet rock ceiling in case I need to open it back up to repair pipes or wiring, and I really hate drop ceilings. Suggestions? I‘ve heard everything from cargo nets to orange construction fence. (really?)
How about a ceiling grid like you would use for a dropped ceiling, but instead of acoustical tile use 1/2 inch thick drywall. I've seen it done and it looks very finished, yet everything is accessible above it since you can remove and replace the 2 foot x 4 foot pieces of drywall if you need to. Finish the drywall pieces with the paint of your choosing after you cut them but before you install them in the grid. You'll have to attach the ceiling grid securely to the joists above because drywall is a lot heavier than the tiles that are normally used.
The sheetrock on the walls are nailed to the walls and the top plate. You cannot get your fingers behind it. so why not just stop at the rafters or floor joists and leave it. Most people look out where they step more than they look up at the ceiling. I can close mine up but I got so much stuff stored up there skiis, ski boots, Xmas tree, ceiling speakers, neon lightbulbs and a bunch of other long stuff that would have to sit on the floor(or worse, I would have to build a shelf for it). I seen stores and restaurants that just spray paint it black along with the heating pipes and eveything so the ceiling is not even noticed. Mine is brown. Natural fir. Pipes are silver and copper and wiring shows. But I don't look that high as the beer is on the table.
