Large Scale Central

The Shed

Indoor and Micro
#81

I started working up a materials list. I want to bundle most everything into one order to qualify for 2 years of free financing at the Depot. When I got to pricing the suspended ceiling I had major sticker shock. It’s a little over 300 square feet. By the time I put together the insulation, numerous easy-hang grid kits and enough tile to cover it all I ended up well over $2K for just the ceiling. That’s not going to get past the budget committee so now I’m looking at alternatives.

Armstrong makes a plank tile system that attaches directly to studs. It’s less, but still pricey, so I went back to Cliffs thread to see what he did: Plywood.

I’m going to have more than enough 4x8’s of 3/8 ply that is coming off the walls. It will need mold treatment and white paint, but by having the material on hand it reduces the cost significantly. My issue then is labor to add enough joists to support it and handling the 4x8’s over my head. The jury is still out on this one.

For the near term I might just end up with Kraft faced insulation stapled to the joists.

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#82

A T post or two helps and you can rent a panel hanger to hold the sheets up

#83

Home-Made T-Posts are what I used gluing up 1/8" panels in my old travel trailer. A panel hanger was something I thought of too. Not sure where I have to go to rent one out here in the sticks. There is a ladder and contractor supply place not far in Mount Union that I will drive by tomorrow. I’ll check them out.

#84

I used t posts years ago to hang sheet rock. plywood is a breeze. i hear your sentiments on suspended ceiling materials, you used to be able to but individual sheets for repair purposes, now you have to buy a full box.

AL P.

#85

FWIW when I renovated my ancient garage, somewhat like yours, cheap construction from the 50’s with a second floor, I insulated then used plywood and it worked out very nicely, also storage for train boxes, half wife fabric room and half train room.
Jerry

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#86

Thanks. Yep, I’ve pretty much abandoned hope of any type of standard interior ceiling. Even the 12x12 clip up system that has no grid, just rails screwed to joists is as expensive as suspended and makes access above and or repair a nightmare.

Rather than clean, paint and hang the 3/8 I have, I’m considering 1/8" painted eucalyptus hardboard. My concern is that it will sag between 16" joists. It’s definitely cheap enough. $150 for enough to do the job Vs $800 for either type of tile system. My $2K number above included a major math error and $400 of insulation. The real number for insulated suspended is just over $1200. The 1/8 board would be half that.

#87

I considered the hardboard sheet, but then went with 3/8" plywood to hopefully reduce sagging.

However, I think cheap battens can be ripped from 2x2 or whatever, and run beneath the hardboard sheets to cover seams and hopefully reduce sagging.

Y’all’s talk of T-posts makes too much sense… It would have worked a lot better than my I-posts and a ladder…

#88

Jon,
Have you considered underlayment used under vinyl and laminate flooring?
I don’t know bout there but here it is usually 1/4 inch plywood panel of good quality, it can’t have interior voids, and fairly inexpensive. and would certainly help with any sag issues.

#89

1/4 inch Luan is flimsy They make the Sign grade HDF panels that Jon knows of that will work but they need support strips to help against sag

#90

There are several factors that point me toward treating and using the 3/8 plywood from the walls. One is that I can skip a few joists. As built there is one on the South end wall, two in the center and one the door is hung from and that’s it. Any I add will enhance the roofs snow loading capability.

I need to get a good inventory of what is there and draw up a layout. Several of the sheets on the walls are not full width.

#91

FWIW I ended up with 1/4" ply; took awhile to remember. I’d used 3/8" on the walls. It’s not sagging.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/SANDEPLY-5-2mm-Sandeply-Plywood-1-4-in-Category-Common-1-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-205-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-479023/203414042

#92

3/8 osb is really all you need for practicality

#93

what about key and slot boards?

are they too expensive?
i do prefer that for ceilings, because easier to handle, than panels.

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#94

Called tongue and groove here Korm and higher cost for the extra step

#95

Jon,

If you have Home Depot credit card (they’re free, you just have to request one), they are currently offering your choice of 10% off on any single purchase or 24 months of interest-free financing on any order of $299 or more. The offer is good till 9/6, but they offer these often.

Bob

#96

Hi Bob - Good to hear from you. I do have a card and I used to get the offers in the mail until I moved. I’ve updated my address with them so they will start arriving soon. I think they offer 24 months all the time on over $2999 which I will easily accumulate if I order everything at once.

I did my inventory. I’ll need at least 5 more full sheets to cover the area. Even buying CD sanded is significant savings over any type of tile. I’ll consider all new material so I can save the labor of treating the mold.

#97

True, but I’m very impractical :slight_smile: I’ve got Caviar tastes on a Tuna Fish budget!

#98

I’m in State College, so we are practically neighbors!
I did quote the card incorrectly, so I read it carefully. The 10% off was correct, but the the interest-free financing is:
12 months for $299-$998
18 months for $999-$1,998
24 months for $1,999 or more

#99

Looks like you’ve made the call already Jon but I’ll second/third/fourth the call to use cheap ply.

I lined the walls & ceilings of our shed with 12mm. Mainly as I had 2’+ spacing on the framing. I did splash out on a drywall lifter as I had 30 odd sheets on the ceiling. If I convert to USD I can get one locally for a touch over $200 today.

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It was absolutely worth it, and you’re welcome to borrow it if you can pick up. :grin:

Cheers
N

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#100

I’d love to, but I think I can buy one for a lot less than the round trip fare!

They are $220+tax here at Harbor Freight. I could probably sell it on Marketplace for $100+ when done. Might be worth it.

I’ve pretty much decided on the 3/8 ply but I will pre-paint it. I also think I will just buy new rather than trying to salvage the moldy stuff. My big decision on the moment is a flat and low (7ft) ceiling, or a angled side ceiling at about 7’ 9". The advantage to the lower height is I can get R-30 insulation between the ceiling and the joists making the roof truss. This allows storage above the roof joists.

Or, better yet, there is a slightly used one on Marketplace for $100 not too far away.

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