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There are a number of things to think about when devising a budget for a ceiling upgrade. With most home improvement projects, labor is the biggest expense. Other considerations include materials over the amount of area to be covered, the cost of special tools or other products needed, if a grid system will be used, and so on.
However, projects are considerably less expensive for the intrepid DIY’er. The following is a breakdown of DIY ceiling projects ranging from low, moderately low and moderate.
Paint – .12/sq. ft.
Paint costs vary depending on the brand of paint and the amount needed, including the possible need for primer or multiple coats. Other factors include materials for prep work, brushes and rollers, tape and cleanup. Still, at .12/sq. ft. on average, painting a ceiling is the least expensive DIY job of all ceiling projects.
Mineral Board – $2/sq.ft
Mineral board (or mineral fiber) tiles are quite affordable compared to some other ceiling products, at least initially. The costs increase, however, when they need to be replaced if damaged by water. In a residential setting, it is rare to see mineral board ceiling tiles used in rooms other than basements. However, the risk of water damage is increased in basements due to the plumbing housed above it.
Performance Vinyl -$3/sq. ft
Performance vinyl ceilings, which cost about $3 per sq. ft., differ from mineral board in that they provide special protection from mold or mildew, are washable and/or possess other high-performance characteristics.
Faux Tin – $4.80/sq. ft
At around $4.80 per sq. ft., faux tin ceiling panels are a bit more expensive than performance vinyl or mineral board, but come in a variety of designs and colors to coordinate with any décor scheme. Although they realistically mimic real tin, faux tin panels are made of durable vinyl for a cost-effective, easy-to-install option.
Tin – $5.23/sq. ft
Tin ceiling tiles are authentic recreations of historic tin ceilings and cost about $5.23 per square foot. Although they may look luxurious and expensive, they are a fairly economical way to completely transform a ceiling because they’re so DIY-friendly.
Barn Board – $6.42/sq. ft
Nothing adds unexpected interest to a ceiling like barn board. Made from reclaimed wood, with each piece as unique as its source, it costs around $6.42 per square foot. Although the cost is a bit more than other ceiling options, it is a completely unique option that truly makes a statement.
Paint
Painting is probably one of the easiest DIY tasks, the biggest challenge being navigating around trim. But one of the great things about painting is that when a mistake is made, it can easily be corrected —just paint over it.
Glue-Up
A glue-up project is fairly straightforward: simply apply construction adhesive to the back of your material and affix it to the existing drywall or plaster ceiling. You can use lightweight faux tin, real tin or vinyl products, but acoustic panels are not an option with glue-up installations.
Nail-Up
Nail-up projects are better for heavier materials such as real tin ceiling panels. An extra set of hands is also helpful to hold materials in place while using a hammer and nails.
Suspended
Suspended ceilings are probably the most difficult of the ceiling projects. Challenges include determining room layout, getting accurate measurements for material and hanging the wires. But like any DIY project, once the initial challenges are out of the way, you’ll find a rhythm and things should go smoothly.
Style
Whether your décor tastes run from the classic to contemporary, we’ve got a variety of ceiling products that will fit into any design scheme.
Traditional
Traditional ceiling product designs work well in a number of décor settings. They range from ornate and elaborate to simpler symmetrical lines and angles.
Modern
Modern design refers to pieces with clean straight lines and a “less is more” approach to décor. Other descriptions include “minimalist” with pops of color.
Industrial
Industrial design combines the best of two worlds: modern and sleek meets with old-world charm. Mixed metals, mixed materials, neutrals and monochromatic themes are all hallmarks of this design style.
Color
Do you like your décor to blend in or embolden? Whatever your goal, you’ll find the right color that works for you. Choose from a variety of hues, from warm to cool, and everything in between, to find your perfect look.
Black/White
Black and white are neutrals on the opposite ends of the color spectrum. They can contrast or coordinate with all the other colors and serve as good backdrops for any décor scheme.
Cool/Metallic
Calm and soothing are hallmarks of the cool colors (think of water or grass in nature). The metallic colors lean toward cool tones and replicate polished metal.
Warm/Earth Tone
Where the cool colors calm, warm colors excite (think fire or hot sun). Earth tones draw from a palette of browns and tans and resemble those colors found in nature.
