New construction ceiling advise
I have a new home with a designated listening room in the basement. I have 2x4 studs on 8” center with double 1/2” drywall. The floor will be covered in carpet. The room is 30’ 4” x 16’. I originally planned to use high grade USG ceiling tile but that would only provide a 9’ or less ceiling. My question is this: What if I use nothing overhead? I would be at 11’ to the subfloor above. Sound isolation in this room is not an issue. TIA
OT, but perhaps pertinent... Check local tax codes as to property taxes VS finished basement. I some areas leaving the ceiling open and/or not applying flooring (other than plywood) lessens the tax burden as it is not taxed a a "living space". If leaving the ceiling open (duct work and all) it can be sprayed white/black or whatever you choose to make it less obvious.
DeKay
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@noromance I agree with everything you said. @dekay Thanks for the tip on leaving rafters open...since we are rebuilding I am giving consideration to this idea. Could use a break on taxes for sure. My taxes went up 37% in one year. OUCH! So I will definitely be checking the tax code |
I would caution on leaving the rafters open. While the extra height is great, the rafters would most likely would not act as diffusers, but rather create some nasty reflections and timing bounces similar to what happens in room corners. (Proper diffusers are a bit more complicated than what most people think.) I'm currently designing a dedicated listening room in my house which already has a finished <8' ceiling (drywall screwed to the trusses). I'm needing to open up the ceiling to handling power, A/C, lighting, etc. and was looking at these new low profile ceiling grids (link below). https://www.homedepot.com/p/CEILINGMAX-100-sq-ft-Ceiling-Grid-Kit-White-18200/100521670 ...just my 2 cents... - Jeff
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@livinon2wheels - I feel for you on the increase in taxes. I'm in Roanoke and got hit with the same increases... I just love how they say they didn't raise the tax rate, but rather raised the value of the property to a rediculous amount way over what I could ever sell the house for. |
@jeffbij In my opinion we need a DOGE for local government and hold them accountable for granting themselves raises and promotions at the taxpayer expense. When government employees have more income and perks than the average Joe, then its time to put that government on a fiscal diet. I would happily be one of those who holds the fat cats accountable for their greed and avarice. A sense of fair play is an expected and reasonable attitude to expect from government and when you don't get that, its time to put that government on notice. I am not one to normally promote civil disobedience, but given what I have witnessed and experienced at the hands of Bedford County, somebody needs to jerk their chain hard. |
On the rafters introducing unwanted reflections...I would imagine some sprayed in insulation would help a lot with that. If this a 'home theater' area or just a listening room, using a rattle can or two of flat black paint on the applied insulation would make the look uniform and avoid reflections from the Video display in the room. Lets think of good ways to do a nice listening environment on the cheap. Once the tariffs have their way with us, and the IRS has their way with us, and inflation has its way with us, figuring out ways to pursue this expensive addictive hobby with clever low cost improvements is going to be key to moving forward. |
@jeffbij Amen on raising the assessed value...right now they have a house I cannot live in assessed at over 250000 dollars. Its not even sealed up against the weather and has no electricity, plumbing, water, or insulation. And I am paying taxes on a property I cannot live in. How is this even close to fair? |
I don’t think the tax system was designed to be fair. In my state, you’re assessed separately for the land and "improvements." So yea, you can be paying very high property tax (because of the value of your land) while your house is barely livable. |
