How Do You Replace A Drop Ceiling With Drywall?
Drop ceilings, made from a grid and removable panels, are common in basements where plumbing and wiring exist in the space above the panels. A drop ceiling is lower than a traditional drywall ceiling, however, and if the homeowner wants more head room, he may replace the grid with a drywall ceiling. Remove the drop ceiling. The panels slip out by pushing up on one end of a panel and grabbing the side to remove it through the grid. Use a drill with a screwdriver bit to remove the screws holding the metal grid in place. Reroute any electrical wires, plumbing or ducts that run in the space above the drop ceiling. Depending upon your local building codes, you may have to hire a professional for one or more of these tasks. Replace the current ceiling light with a recessed light box. Since the drop ceiling was lower than the drywall ceiling will be, you must move the light box higher. Attach the new light box to a ceiling joist. Install the drywall panels, positioning them perpendicular to t
