Fabric draped basement ceiling?
Question:I have seen several questions on this topic, but none really address what I want to know.
Which is better, to staple fabric to the support beams in rows or to have all fabric pieces meet in the middle like a tent? How does one determine how much fabric to use? (And what is the best fabric to choose? I plan to spray it with flame retardant spray.)
If I chose the second, what do you hide the center pieces with?
I have the classic old basement ceiling - just a bunch of support beams with pipes hanging every which way. I thought covering the ceiling with fabric would be the easiest (and still offer easy access to pipes, if needed).
I'm also looking for the cheapest way to cover the ceiling. This house is my second house - and occupied by 4 college boys (whoops, I mean men)!
Thanks.
Answers:
I would first call the office of the State Fire Marshall for advice on your fabric and also see what they recommend for a do it yourself spray which has been tested and up to code.
I think for the application, once you find out the safest fabric, I would hang them in rows to follow the path of the pipes, so if you have a problem with a pipe, you are only dealing with that one strip. But, if they are going in both directions, it really doesn't matter. Fabric is 54" wide, so you would have to take your length and maybe you could get two strips from one length. A fabric store could help you with that. I want to say a cotton would be the best, but I really do not know. Fabric will smell musty and get moldy if you do not have and extremely dry basement.
I suggest that you have someone inspect the pipes to see if they predict any future problems and fix what needs to be fixed. Maybe a plumber.
If it were me, I would install a suspended ceiling. Maybe the men could pitch in with their friends to install it. Maybe, they could do some odd jobs to earn a little money for the supplies. I know you want the cheapest way and with four in college, your bills must be astronomical, but there is no price to replace a life.
I highly recommend calling the fire Marshall.
what are you using the room foor? a drop ceiling would increase the value of your home, plus wont get in the way of plumbing, and isn't very expensive.
in basements, fabric can have stains, or water markings, it can also be eaten by moths and other bugs, that you may get. it wont last long, unless you get a good thick fabric, and if you get water, even once in your basement, clothe will hold the smell longer, and will smell damp and dank..mounting thicker fabrics wont be easy, and cost will be very close to just getting a panel ceiling, that is fixable, and is in expensive.
but if you must go with fabric in the basement... go for a darker color, use decorative heavy duty push pins/tacts, rather than staples. use a rubber hammer to get them in.
bringing the clothe to the center will look more elegant, and less rigged up there. to cover the center pin, you can use a painted, post cap, like those on mail boxes, they sell at home depot. and have some strands of fabrinc coming down.
to just get a ceiling, a felt like fabric, just worked covering the ceiling, might be fine, but, seems, and other things will show up more, plus you'd have to take most of it down to do repairs, where as pulled to the center, it's easier to remove just one or two strands.
Fabric on the ceiling would be a dust catcher and insects would find it a perfect place to lay eggs, spin webs, and make cocoons. Need I say more?
Have you thought of a suspended ceiling? You may not have a noise problem in the basement but the panels would be sound proof and would not require laundering. It would be more expensive but certainly more attractive and something you would not have to replace for a long time. I am assuming you are renting this basement so figure the first month as an investment which will pay for itself . Good Luck
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