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Basement ceiling too low!

7 years ago

We are to the point of HVAC installation in our walk out ranch. Our house has 9ft ceilings throughout. There is a hallway in the basement that has supply and return ducts above it. I stopped by today and found that they were framing out the ceiling below these ducts with 2x6s which will result in a 7'-6" ceiling in the hallway. This hallway will be between a 9' family room and 9' bedrooms. The spans for this hallway are mostly 6-8' with one area that is about 11'. I've talked to the contractor about switching out the 2x6s for 2x4s. They are looking into if this will work for the longer span. The framing can't be strapped to the ceiling because it is under hollow core. Hopefully, I can tap the knowledge of GW for other options that could be used to frame the ceiling and increase the height. Are there metal options that would be much thinner? Would it be possible to switch out the HVAC ducts for something that is twice as wide and half the depth? Shouldn't this allow for the same air flow? Thank you for any insight.

Comments (3)

Brett Pedersen
7 years ago
You could consider a mini-split system
galore2112
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I used 4"x18" rectangular ducts as a solution to the same problem.
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Are the undersides of the joists clear - ie no plumbing or electrical suspended below them? If that is the case, I suggest sacrificing another 1/2", drywalling the ceiling and installing can lights. We have approximately 6' 7" (finished) below our heating ducts and have can lights installed at the center (between the hot and cold ducting). Photos of our basement are linked from "My Page" however the low ceiling for the ductwork described above isn't well depicted except in the final photo. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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The basement ceiling height of the house we lived in when our kids were teenagers wasn't much higher than yours. My husband sprayed the underside of the main level floor matte black, covering all pipes and ducts. If you DIY, be sure to use a good respirator mask. Our son was the same height as your husband (now slightly taller) and my husband was just a tad shorter. Neither one was bothered by feeling as if they were about to bump their heads. We had no issues with dust. As for noise in the basement, I think it was only noticeable when someone overhead wore high heels. I didn't find that the sound of video games or movies in the basement carried upstairs any more than in a later house with a drywall ceiling. My family liked the look and I was happy to put the money that would have been spent on a finished ceiling toward other things in the house.
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I should note this is only the basement and we need access to the main water shut off through the ceiling
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Exposed & painted joists & utilities is a fun look that helps ceiling height perception BUT a very difficult messy project, a lot of work to “tidy up” the wires, pipes, valves & ductwork into something presentable before spray painting it all. I wouldn’t go through all that in a house you intend to sell. Maybe the realtor can suggest this to potential buyers as a possible remedy they can do themselves and show them examples of other 7’ basement ceilings that have exposed joists. Pop out a couple of the drop ceiling panels in a good spot (somewhere without tangles of wires visible) and take a pic & measure the difference in height; paint a sample area of joists white, the realtor can show buyers that sample area and see if that might be an acceptable compromise.
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User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Refer to Table R802.4(1)

http://premiumaccess.iccsafe.org/document/code/272/4634063

If you don't know which species/grade of lumber they used, assume Hem-for #3 or southern pine #3, depending on what region you are in. The worst case shows 7'-2" on 24" centers for 2×4 lumber. There are plenty of options for 2×4 lumber with 11'+ spans, especially at 12" or 16" centers for the joists.

A drop/suspended ceiling should be able to be hung from the concrete.

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