Currently planning to paint the ceiling, remove the paneling from walls and put up drywall, and remove a layer of old hardwood flooring to put down a new subfloor for a new floor. I don't know which order it would be best to do this in. I assume it would be better to paint the ceiling first, so nothing gets on the new floor. In fact, I'd imagine that the floor would be done last, after the drywall goes up, but I also don't want the paneling coming down to scuff the ceiling up, as the paneling (I believe) goes above the ceiling tiles. Anyone have an idea for what the best order would be to complete the three projects I have?

Please explain how I can specify premium grades of sheet rock or drywall for my house-remodel project, specifically 1/2 inch material that approaches the strength and structural integrity of 1/2 inch fir plywood. Does each manufacturer have their own grading system, or are there industry standards? And what is the difference between "sheet rock" and "drywall"? I know very little about sheet rock or drywall, except that the stuff in my house seems to crumble every time I cut a hole in it for a light switch. The only time I actually developed a respect for the structural integrity of sheet rock: I cut a hole (for a ceiling fan) in the bathroom ceiling of a house built in 1950. After 50+ years in a high-humidity environment, it felt like my sabre saw was cutting through top-grade 1/2 inch fir plywood! So there must be a wide range of sheet rock grades. For example, when Microsoft created their technology campus, I assume that all building materials were specified for a 50-year design life. Thank you for considering my question!