im dropping my living room ceiling to 8 feet...the room is 12x15...im wanting to use 2x6 for the 12 foot span...im going to be using 4x12 1/2 sheet rock...does anyone see 2x6s not being enough strrenght to carry the load of the sheet rock...thanks

 

What is the height of the ceilng now and why are you lowering it?

Is this new framing or an existing house?

Just asking because there's a lot of options you have other than lowering the whole ceiling like making a Tray ceiling starting at 8' and going up to whatever your height is now or coming out 2' level at 8' and then starting a Tray ceiling. Just curious.

Joe Carola

 

thanks for the reply joe...
the original ceiling was 10 feet...previous owner lowered ceiling to 8 feet,and used 2x4x12 to attach the new sheet rock too.. ..i already had one 2x4 crack and come through ceiling...repaired that and looked at the rest of the ceiling and noticed all the 2x4 bowing...so now i have to take down the ceiling and install a new one using the right lumber,hopefully 2x6 will hold the 12 foot span....i was thinking of just attaching the sheet rock right over the original 10 foot high plaster ceiling and piecing in a 2 foot strip on sheet rock on the wall,but there is some new electical lines running in between old and new lower ceiling...once i ripped down the poorly frammed ceiling i can determine if the electical can but run up in the attic without too much trouble,but if not i want to have plan b set,which would be leave the 8 foot height and just frame in with the right lumber....thanks for your help joe

 

just pushing it up for more respones...thanks

 

if there are joists above this can't you block down from them every 4' or so to stabilize the ceiling?