How much does it cost to install a drop ceiling per square foot?
Installing a drop ceiling costs $5 to $28 per square foot for labor and materials. Add $2 per square foot if you want insulating panels that go behind the ceiling tiles and up to $1 per linear foot for decorative rail covers. Labor typically costs up to $5 per square foot when hiring a ceiling tile installer near you.
How much should I charge to install a drop ceiling?
The cost to install a drop ceiling is around $5.50/sq. ft. when a contractor is hired to handle the installation, or about $2,750 for 500 square feet. DIY installation costs an average of $2.75 per square foot.
Is a drop ceiling expensive?
If you’re looking for a very simple and cheap ceiling option, drop ceilings are for you. The average drop ceiling cost ranges from $1/sf to $2/sf. Drop ceiling installations are easy and the labor cost should be less than a drywall ceiling. Drop ceilings are quite common in rooms with large ducts and HVAC piping.
Is drop ceiling hard to install?
Drop ceilings are cost-effective, easy to install on your own, and allow you to access ductwork and wires easily after it’s been installed. In order to put in a drop ceiling, you need to first install a grid system of runners to support your ceiling tiles.
How do you estimate a ceiling?
Multiply the length by the width for rectangular areas. For triangular areas, multiply the base of the triangle by the height, then multiply that number by one-half. Add together the square footage of each section to calculate the square footage for the entire ceiling.
What is the point of a drop ceiling?
Modern dropped ceilings were initially created to hide the building infrastructure, including piping, wiring, and/or ductwork, by creating a plenum space above the dropped ceiling, while allowing access for repairs and inspections. Drop ceilings may also be used to hide problems, such as structural damage.
How close can you install a drop ceiling?
Although most modern drop ceilings call for at least a 3-inch space, it is possible to install them with as little as a half-inch of space. One row of track can be installed at a time, with the ceiling tiles fitted into that track before the next row is installed.
Is it better to drywall or drop ceiling?
Many homeowners see deciding between drywall vs drop ceilings as a matter of choosing between aesthetics and accessibility. A drywall ceiling or hard ceiling is perceived as looking more finished and attractive. However, a drop ceiling offers easy access to your home’s important pipes and ducts.
How long does it take to install a drywall ceiling?
With drywall, it takes a fraction of the time. Two pros can typically cover a 12-by-16-foot room in about an hour. To work that fast takes practice and a few specialized tools. But hanging drywall is not just about speed.
