Does current residential code require drywall on ceilings in single family home without garage?
darnpotter
| Posted in Code Questions on
Remodeling 100 year old Victorian house. We pulled down all the moldy plaster and lathe ceilings, exposing strong joists in good but pretty warped condition. The floor assembly is 2×8 oak joists with perpendicular hardwood flooring planks (1″ thick – no subflooring). The house is modified balloon frame, so we’ll be doing a lot of fireblocking along the walls.
I would really prefer to put up a decorative suspended ceilings (ie, fancy tiles that look like tin or wood) rather than dealing with trying to put up drywall on curved joists. Is that allowed? Or is drywall absolutely required for fire protection between floors?
Thanks in advance for any information.
Replies
Don't know about the code.. but there's a FHB article on leveling ceilings here:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/leveling-an-old-ceiling
I like the option of using metal studs for this - they're half the price of 2x4's. That's probably the way to go since based on @UncleMike42 comment I'd have to insulate between floors and that would get costly quick. Thanks
There are alternate methods to block combustion gasses than a layer of drywall.
one inch floor boards do not seem to be thick enough on the list.
you might want to look into rock wool bats. (these would also reduce noise transmission)
I guess even if the 1" floor boards were thick enough, there are gaps between each plank so combustion gasses would be flowing freely. I didn't think about this. Thanks v. much
If you want the suspended ceiling, you could put drywall up against the floor, between the joists for a fire block. (If you think that will be more cost-effective than rock wool)
Half inch should be enough, and you could use 1 inch screws to secure it into the flooring from underneath. You could foam the edges or caulk. If you are doing a lot of fireblocking, you understand the process.
Fire block does not have to be pretty, but it should be complete.
You could also make a layer of subfloor above the fireblock. (but this probably only makes sense if the floor is in terrible shape)