Insulation hazzard?

I'm in the process of finishing my basement and I'm looking for a creative ceiling idea. I want to avoid drywall because it's somewhat permanent and restricts access and I don't like the commercial look of a dropped ceiling. One thought I had was to hang lattice, or something along those lines, but there is un-kraft-faced insulation between the first floor joists. Should I be concerned about fiberglass dust or is this a safe solution?

 

gunny,

You're right about the drywall being a bad choice althought they do make nice flush access panels available at Home Depot if you're interested. Then you just have to deal with the heat duct and any piping issues.

Well you choices are minimum. If you don't like suspended ceiling which would be excellent in your situation, then you have to deal with the insulation fibers. Lattice sounds different but you would want to apply a vapor barrier or some type of material to avoid the fibers. Having these exposed would not be a good thing.

Are you sure you can't find something that you like in a suspended ceiling, you would have options then for ceiling lighting and neat apperance.

Hope this helps!

 

It's a battle between cost, functionality and visual preference. Drywall is the cheapest, but least practical. A drop ceiling is the most practical, but I have a rustic pine tongue and grove motif on the walls and I think the drop ceiling wouldn't be the right look. As far as piping goes I'm prepared to box in what's necessary. My concern is the majority of the unobstructed ceiling area. What about black garden mesh fabric as a barrier and then the lattice over that? I don't want to create a moisture trap with plastic sheeting.

Thanks for the advice!

gunny3

 

Go with drywall. I've used it in a past basement finishing project, and plan to use it again when I finish the basement in my new house. Use access panels when you need to reach valves or under the bathroom tub p-trap or other frequently accessed areas. Just don't cover up any electrical junction boxes, move them so they are flush with the drywall.

One trick I've used and will use again is to box-out a section of ceiling next to the central carrying beam with removable wood panels, so that you can run new wires, etc., if you need to. But it is better to run any mechanical systems upgrades BEFORE putting the ceiling up.

If you ever DO need to access anything in the ceiling, the stuff is easy enought to cut and to repair.

 

BrewBeer

When you say access panels do you simply mean a hole in the drywall with some kind of tasteful door or are you referring to a specific product that I'm not aware of?

 

gunny,

What Brewbeer and I are both suggesting are these;

http://www.accesspanelsolutions.com/home.html

http://www.calwalgypsumsupply.com/accesspanels.html

http://www.aecinfo.com/pdc/resourcef...58/mifab02.htm

http://www.ameraproducts.com/commerc...p?dept%5Fid=21

Home Depot or Lowes or a Drywall Retailer can provide.

Hope this helps!