Sheetrock, also known as drywall or gypsum board, makes a suitable finishing material for basements. A drywall ceiling in the basement helps give the space a look that matches the rest of house. Although not the least expensive option, the attractiveness and durability of sheetrock ceilings provide good value for the money.
Installation
Professional installation of a sheetrock ceiling is probably the best option for the average homeowner, but if you have good home repair skills, installing sheetrock yourself can significantly reduce your costs. The main difficulty for a single individual putting up drywall is getting the sheetrock panel into position. One good method for doing this involves using a deadman, a wooden brace made from 2 by 4s. You support one side of the panel with a nailer, a board temporarily attached to the basement framing, and lift the other side into place with the deadman. You can also rent a mechanical panel lifter which allows you to use longer panels.
Thickness
The standard 1/2 thick drywall works best for basement ceilings. You have the option of using 3/8 inch thick drywall to obtain as much headroom as possible, but this option has various disadvantages. Because 3/8 inch drywall does not have the strength of the thicker type of sheetrock, you cannot hang it with the long side parallel to the framing. It also does not accept water-based paints well. Any additional headroom would be insignificant anyway, according to Tom Silva of the This Old House website.
Combination
Besides drywall, the other primary type of basement ceiling finishing system consists of panels suspended from the joists. Usually basements have either a drywall ceiling or a suspended ceiling, but a good option involves combining the two for easy access to wiring and plumbing components. Putting the suspended panels over areas where wires and plumbing parts intersect with the basement and drywall over the rest of the room gives you an attractive ceiling and allows you to perform necessary maintenance without tearing up any sheetrock.
Primer
Although sheetrock, in comparison with some other surfaces, does not require a lot of preparation before it is painted, your best option is to use a primer to prepare it for accepting the paint job, according to "Fine Homebuilding" magazine. The magazine recommends a particular type of primer, or primer-sealer, known as pva (polyvinyl acetate) primer, which mitigates drywall's natural porousness. Use the same brand of pva primer and ceiling paint to ensure that the two products are compatible.
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