Is there a cost-effective and simple solution to renovate our nightmare rec room with a problematic ceiling, given our limited DIY skills and budget constraints?
Asked by Henriette Sønderland 
3 months ago
Last Updated: August 13, 2024
We’ve got this nightmare rec room down in the basement that we’re hoping to fix up on a tight budget. The ceiling is our main problem. Neither my husband nor I are very handy, but we’re trying to figure it out. He’s talking about removing the glue spots from the ceiling tiles we took down and skim coating it, but I have my doubts. Any affordable and easy suggestions? I’m worried that skim coating such a large room won’t turn out well.
Just so you know, we’re using a heat gun and paint scraper to get the glue off. It’s a 500 sq foot room, so this might take forever. And don’t mind the Christmas tree in there – I tried painting it rose gold, but clearly that was a flop! 😂
I’m not sure about your budget or the cost difference, but it seems like the simplest option would be to replace the plywood or whatever material the tiles were attached to. Removing the glue and applying skim coats doesn’t sound like a fun or easy task.
I need to buy some 1/4 inch drywall for the project.
Skim coating something that big can be a real challenge if you’re not skilled at it haha (I’ve failed at it too before 😅). I’d recommend taking down the current material, putting up drywall, and then mudding and taping the seams. You could also try spraying a light texture to hide imperfections or watch some YouTube videos on drywall installation. Even if it’s not perfect, it’s just a basement, so it’s a good place to practice drywall skills. I’d suggest avoiding individually removing the glue spots as it’s a better use of your time to work with drywall.
Hey , I hear you. Removing the glue sounds like a lot of unnecessary work. Starting fresh might just be the way to go.
Hey there! If you’re dealing with a ceiling that needs work, no need to take everything down. Just locate the strapping beneath the current ceiling, mark it on both ends, and snap lines with a caulk line. After that, install new wood strapping in the opposite direction and secure it with 2″ drywall screws. Once that’s done, you can add 3/8″ drywall on top. This way, you can save time and money without having to remove anything!
And I both think that we shouldn’t take out the current material unless the ceiling is really low. Another choice is to put tiles on strapping. If we add more material, we’ll need to extend the electrical boxes.
I heard re-drywall is a good idea. In my area, 1/4 drywall costs around $0.55 per sq ft and it can save you a significant amount of time. Also, you’ll need a lot of drywall mud for skim coating, which can be a bit challenging to get a good finish. Opting for new drywall will provide the best finish.
Oh wow, , that’s such a great deal!
How do you go about hiding the screws when using quarter inch drywall? It seems like they might poke through the back each time.
I haven’t tried installing 1/4 inch drywall yet, but I assume using a drywall bit would help it sit flush just like with 1/2 inch drywall. Check out this link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Drywall-Screw-Setter-4-Pack-DW2014C4/202302391
Wow, that pine tree looks amazing!
Wow, I wish I could work on that room!! Such an exciting project!!
Mentioned that they thought it would be funny 🤣
Take it slow. Start by putting up new drywall on the ceiling and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint.
Sure thing, appreciate it!
Mentioning that it’s on a long pole. Another option is a cold chisel about the size of globs, a hammer could help break through.
Another benefit is reducing sound transfer between floors. If you placed furring strips perpendicular to the joists on top of the current ceiling with glue, leaving channels glue-free, then attached a 1/2″ drywall ceiling to the furring strips, you would minimize sound transmission. There are also clip systems that enhance this concept further, in addition to the homemade solution I mentioned, which are effective for improvising.
I totally understand your frustration. We faced a similar situation. Thankfully, no asbestos. We thought about different options like drywall, tiles, etc. Check out the next picture to see the final result with the shiplap we painted white.
Oh wow, this ceiling is exactly what I was looking for! The ship lap adds such a cool touch. I can’t wait to show my husband!
After removing the plaster with the glue, the project was finally finished. Such a great choice! Depending on the type of wood and paint used, you can achieve a more or less rustic look.
Wow, that is so lovely!
We opted to install polystyrene ceiling tiles. They required minimal preparation and were incredibly quick and easy to put up.
That was something I had my eye on. Thanks a lot!
By the way, your ceiling looks fantastic!
Thank you! I suggest spray painting them before installation. After you put them up, run a line of painters caulk between them.
I think it would be a good idea to start with a coat of bonding primer.
My mom actually chose to do this instead of dealing with popcorn ceiling, and she receives compliments regularly.
Hey, how are you doing today?
I really like Tongue and Groove ceilings because you can paint or stain them in any way you prefer.
We decided to do that project in our basement with the intention of painting it white, but ended up falling in love with the natural pine instead.
Go ahead and tear it all down and put up drywall instead (or consider the shiplap someone suggested if you’re into that style). This way, you can make any MEP changes while you’re at it.
My ceiling was covered in drop ceiling tiles
Just drywall at the moment.
Oh my goodness! It looks amazing!!! I’m crossing my fingers that mine turns out at least half as nice as yours!
Those tiles really resemble cardboard. Should we tear them down or simply cover them with drywall instead?
The best way to learn is by actually doing things. Even if your attempt is unsuccessful, you are gaining valuable knowledge that will help you improve in the future.
That’s so true! I’ll do my best to see them as learning opportunities instead of errors.
You might consider removing the pine wood from the walls and reusing it on the ceiling. If the walls are brick or cinder block —> paint.
Mentioned that her husband really likes the pine walls, but unfortunately, they will not be removed.
In our house, we’ve got blue pine ceilings all around and we absolutely adore them. 
The fastest solution would be to give it a coat of white spray paint… just to hold you over until you can make the changes you really want to make….????
😂 Back in the day I couldn’t stand it, but now I’m feeling nostalgic and obsessed with everything from the 70s and 80s. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a basement with retro paneling? 😊
Suggests doing it when he’s away from home. 🙂
In addition, I’d recommend installing 4″ or 6″ LED wafer lights all around the perimeter of the room, with some placed in a pattern in the center if you feel like you need more lighting. To brighten up the space, consider painting the ceiling white, choosing a light-colored floor, and if you decide to strip and refinish the pine to a lighter shade, think about painting a few of the pine walls to remove some of the darkness and leave one wall as a feature.
That pine looks amazing! If it were me, I’d probably either redo the drywall on the ceiling, hire a professional to skim coat everything, or opt for vintage style ceiling panels (such as tin ceiling)
We also used polystyrene tiles in a large room, spray painted them with rustoleum for a metallic finish, and attached them with liquid nails. This method was much easier than taping and mudding. No caulk was needed, following ‘ advice.
I heard that Wendy had ceiling tiles that were glued to the ceiling. The glue sounds like a nightmare to remove!
Oy vay, Sonnie!
I’d suggest letting him start attempting to remove it… he’ll realize it might be so difficult that it’s a better idea to either hire someone or put up some drywall. However, if you’re new to ceilings, they are challenging and drywalling ceilings is even tougher.
I’d just stick some 1/4 drywall on the ceiling and be done with it, a few seams to mud and you’re done flat ceiling, little to no work, 2 people and less than an hour to put the drywall up and get a coat of mud on it\taped…
Put up corrugated tin on the ceiling and add some vintage Coca-Cola signs and other old memorabilia like m&M’s. The walls are already fantastic as they are.
Imagine how cool a tin ceiling would look! It would be awesome.
I’d go with installing wood strapping first, then put up 3/8 drywall, tape and mud, sand, and paint.
I’d take down the entire ceiling. This way, you can add lights and rewire, giving you a better overall look in the end.
If you’re planning on installing drywall, consider renting a hydronic drywall lift from the hardware store. They are incredibly helpful! They have features like tipping and tilting, and once you position the drywall, they secure it to the ceiling while you screw it in place. ‘t rush the taping and mudding process, take your time. I recommend watching some YouTube videos for guidance. This way, you won’t have to worry about your ceiling ever again!
Skim coating a large space sounds good in theory, but as someone who has tackled drywall and mud projects, it’s not the best idea. Starting with a fresh canvas is always better. Consider hiring a professional for drywall and ceiling texture work to avoid seeing imperfections caused by lighting.
It appears so lovely.
Wow, that’s stunning! Do you think it would be suitable for ceilings that are not perfectly even? I’m just curious about how difficult it would be to remove the excess glue.
Everything. It’s best to begin with a fresh start.
Yeah, I believe it will do the trick. Make sure to apply the liquid nails away from the areas with glue, and I think it will stick just fine.
Oh, thank you very much!
An anonymous participant shared that her husband just pointed out a mistake. He believes that the glue spots should be chiseled off.
I recently had to deal with this too and decided to go with glue up ceiling tiles that I found on Amazon. They were affordable and the installation wasn’t too difficult.
I’m thinking about adding some decorative ceiling tiles.
If you can find someone to help you cut it, many people cut 1/8″ plywood into strips and use it to create a shiplap look on their walls. It’s lightweight, so you can easily glue it on. Shiplap can also look fantastic on a ceiling! Simply remove the glue, prime and paint the wood strips, and then glue them in place. Here’s a link to a video that demonstrates how it’s done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_ABSY0aEng
You could definitely put up 3/8″ drywall over what’s already there, just be sure to hit the joists. It’s going to need a lot of taping or skim coating no matter what. If it were me, I’d opt for skim coating the entire surface, but I have a ton of experience with it.
I would recommend considering redoing the drywall on the ceiling. We decided to hire someone to redo one of our ceilings to make it easier for us, and it turned out to be quite affordable. I’m not sure about the room size, but it’s a good idea to gather some quotes and price out the drywall if you plan on doing it yourself. Some projects don’t save much money when done as DIY, and this was one of them for us. Then, consider painting the walls with a lighter color. Once that’s done, you can think about changing the flooring if needed. The space will look amazing once everything is finished.
I feel like the money you save should be on labor, and you should consider removing all the sheetrock and starting fresh. You can add some new lighting and have a flat ceiling by using 5/8″ thick drywall. It’s a bit heavier and more expensive, but it offers better fire protection. Personally, I think it’s better to remove all the glue rather than spending hours trying to clean it. It’s a time-consuming process, but it’s doable, and you still need to skim it. If you want to avoid recessed lighting and have less work, ‘s suggestion is very practical, although I’d recommend 1/2″ or 5/8″ drywall. Good luck with your project!
Tear down the ceiling and spray paint it brown or black
For an easier time, consider painting the walls white and installing different ceiling tiles. Take on smaller projects around the house to improve your skills. Once you finish, you’ll have a clean living space.
I could have sworn those were clamshells on the ceiling.
You could do something similar, but try using plywood and other trim boards to cover where the boards meet. You might want to burn the plywood first, then stain it, or just stain it. Drywall mud might not be the best option, unless you’re a pro at it.
I’m not sure if skim-coating a tiled ceiling will have long-lasting results. Personally, I would remove the old tiles and keep the strapping if it’s in good condition. Consider installing a drywall or shiplap ceiling instead. Just keep in mind that if you opt for a shiplapped ceiling, you’ll need to remove the wood-veneered wall as well.
I believe they took off the tiles and now they’re planning to get rid of the glue stains. 🤷
– Okay, got it. Cover it with a 1/4” of drywall.
Hey girl, don’t forget to prime before applying the gold paint!! 😂🤪
Have you tried using a heat gun and a sturdy putty knife?
For the time being, I’d suggest painting it black, similar to what restaurants do when they paint their walls white, until you’re able to take down the drop ceiling.
Using black on a ceiling can create a sense of lower height, you might want to consider white to give the room a larger feel especially with a dark floor 🙂
Could it be construction adhesive? I’ve had quite good outcomes using an oscillating tool with a scraper attachment.
The deadline for the project has been extended by a week.
I have a basement that is very similar to yours. The ceiling boards were nailed to asbestos adhesive. I decided to order three boxes of 3D ceiling/wall PVC panels, cut them to size, and glue them down. It looks seamless, honestly.
Remember to buy milk on your way home from work.
I can’t make it to the meeting tomorrow, I have a doctor’s appointment.
Wow, this looks amazing! Can’t wait to show my husband!
Place a drop ceiling directly above it.
If the adhesive isn’t too thick, I would recommend layering 1/4 inch drywall directly over it.
My husband is concerned that if we go that route, we might not be able to locate the studs for nailing and the wall could end up sagging. Is there a simpler way to ensure we know where the studs are without having to remove the old drywall?
I would honestly recommend removing the old drywall. It’s a simple task and will make your job much easier.
If not, you could give a stud finder a shot.
You could either remove the existing drywall and put up new ones or opt for a drop ceiling.
Consider using bead board or shiplap panels.
Drywall is inexpensive, so just cover it with 1/4 inch Sheetrock.
Prepare for the possibility of asbestos regardless of your decision. When I renovated my old split-level basement, we found it less frustrating and quicker to remove the drop ceiling and install new sheetrock. This also allowed us to check the wiring, move the electrical boxes for lights and outlets, and remove the wood paneling on the walls (which was just nailed onto the sheetrock). Renting an oscillating scraper tool and a sheetrock lift can be very helpful if you don’t plan on doing another project like this in the future. We rented ours from Home Depot and purchased other tools like a heavy-duty shop vac on sale from Harbor Freight. It took my husband and me, with occasional help from my in-laws, about two weeks to finish the project while taking care of three kids under 5. It was busy but not impossible. You can do it!
Hey , we got our entire house inspected. The only asbestos found was wrapped around a pipe in our water room.