remove entire celing, or just patch it?

15 years ago

My kitchen has this weird set of flourescent light fixtures that we want to take out and replace with recessed lights. Here's an image:

{{!gwi}}

You can see that there's a frame encasing the actual flourescent light figures (3 fixtures within that frame). There is finished ceiling on the 'inside' of the frame. If we removed the frame, and the fixtures there'd be a hole where the frame was, as well as holes where the flourescent fixtures were located. Additionally, the entire kitchen ceiling is covered with a very fine, light sand texture, in no particular pattern. Here's what I'm debating:

1. Would you take out the ENTIRE kitchen ceiling, then have the recessed lights installed, then have the drywall replaced?

2. OR would you have the recessed lights installed, then have the drywall holes patched, and then retexture just the new drywall?

3. OR would you install the recessed lights, then patch the drywall holes, then retexture the whole ceiling?

Are there any that you would steer clear of entirely?

Which do you think would be cheapest overall?

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Comments (9)

pcjs
15 years ago
Personally I don't like textured ceilings so it is a personal choice - if you do, then it depends if you are DIY - if you are DIY, depends on your skills and how comfortable you are with each of the tasks. We are DIY, but either way, and nothing personal, but that thing is really ugly and I don't like texture, so I'd pull the ceiling down, put in recessed, and then drywall. But, if you are hiring an electrician, talk to them first.
kitchenredo08
15 years ago
We had a similar situation - entire ceiling was textured and had 3 decorative beams in the FR. We opted to take down the entire ceiling, replaced the drywall and installed the recessed cans. It was a lot of work (all DIY) but well worth it in the end.
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stretchad
Original Author
15 years ago
pcjs - we won't be DIY'ing this one. Not enough time and no skill! And yes, that light is d@mn ugly :-)
ci_lantro
15 years ago
Attic space above kitchen or second floor?

Either way, the one thing I would not do is to remove the entire ceiling. Even if you need new drywall, it can go up directly over the old after any voids from light install are filled. The extra layer will give you extra fire-proofing, save a bunch of labor, be less of a mess (esp. if you have attic space & insulation above) & save on disposal fees.
stretchad
Original Author
15 years ago
ci_lantro - there is a bathroom and bedroom above the kitchen.

Would putting another layer of drywall on the ceiling possible, given the fact that we've got soffits already in place? Won't space for the trim on the recessed lights be too short? I have never heard of putting drywall over the top of old...
abbycat9990
15 years ago
We had some funky ceiling tiles in our guest house--along with ancient fluorescent light fixtures. On the advice of pour GC, we drywalled over the whole shebang (after removing light fixtures...) and then the electrician came through and drilled through to install the cans. And this is in a building with ceilings that are a little over 7' high. SOOOO worth it.
Buehl
15 years ago
We removed our entire Kitchen & DR ceilings (which, btw, were textured). It made it much easier to run the hood ducting and install our recessed lights & ceiling speakers. It was then re-drywalled...without the texture. So, right now our DR & Kitchen have smooth ceilings and the rest of our house has textured ceilings.

We're thinking about what to do to the rest of the house...remove the texture or re-do all ceilings...no decision on this yet!
ci_lantro
15 years ago
Would putting another layer of drywall on the ceiling possible, given the fact that we've got soffits already in place?

Sure.

I have never heard of putting drywall over the top of old...

It used to be, probably still is, not unusual for a really well-built home. Or installations needing extra fire proofing.

Won't space for the trim on the recessed lights be too short?

Shouldn't be. The cans are adjustable for different ceiling thicknesses.
djlandkpl
15 years ago
It may be cheaper to drop the ceiling rather than have the electrician fish the wires for the new lights. You could also take the opportunity to add sound insulation since you have a bathroom above. When we did our reno, I had the ceiling insulated as there are 2 bathrooms over the kitchen. None of the bathroom sounds (water or otherwise) make it to the kitchen.

remove entire celing, or just patch it?

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pcjs

kitchenredo08

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remove entire celing, or just patch it?

Comments (9)

pcjs

kitchenredo08

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