New Darkroom - Acoustic Tiles ok for ceiling?

[brian_e]

Hi all, just finished framing out my new basement darkroom, and as I

sit here thinking debating about the type of ceiling to put in,

thought I'd ask for help/experiences.

 

I'm obviously concerned about dust, and so will be putting in some

sort of ceiling. I've got your standard 2 foot joists running across

the basement (house was built 3 years ago), with ductwork, pipes, and

wiring running in between the joists. I'd like to put in drywall for

the dust benefits, but I don't want to make access to the plumbing,

electrical, and HVAC require drywall destruction. I also need to

keep access to a natural gas shutoff valve in one corner, so I would

have to put an access panel in the ceiling anyway.

 

The darkroom will sit directly under the family room, so noise is an

issue, albeit not an overriding one.

 

So on the access to utilities, ease of installation, and sound

categories, ceiling tile wins, but I have these concerns about dust

that I'd love to have you all dispel (or confirm).

 

Thanks!

[michael_kravit]

Guy,

 

I have a 2'x2' ceiling grid with fissured acoustic ceiling tile (Armstrong I

believe). I have absolutely no problem with dust. The ceiling allows for easy

access to the interstitial space and has the added benefit of noise attenuation

due to it's fissured surface.

 

Mike

 

Michael J. Kravit, AIA

Architect

[al_kaplan1]

Shouldn't be a problem but you might consider going over them with a vacuum cleaner before installing them. A light coat of spray laquer like Krylon would trap any dust that may remain.

[michael_kravit]

BTW Guy,

 

I just thought of another possibility.

 

The major ceiling tile manufacturers make a plastic coated ceiling tile that is used in commercial kitchens. Probably overkill, but I thought you should know that it is available. They also make a ceiling tile rated for clean rooms, but I forget what it is coated with.

 

Mike

[andrew_tierney]

I've never been involved in building a darkroom, but I have worked in an existing one with a suspended ceiling.

 

Fibre based tiles are bad news - they are fine when in place, and fine if you don't need to move them. However, if you have to move the tiles, you will slightly damage them and make a lot of dust.

 

You could spray them with some laquer, but I don't think this would be good with respects to their fire retardent nature. Although not as bas a polystyrene tiles, they will still go up very quickly and I would advise against it unless the stuff is meant to do it.

 

The best stuff would be the laminated paper and foam board. It is wipe clean, very hard to damage, doesn't produce dust when it does break. If humidity is a worry, more resilient stuff can be bought which is often used in commercial kitchens. You can also get it backed with foil which increases heat retention.

 

It's more expensive, but you wouldn't have any problems with dust.

[toney_hall]

Guy, Just for background I have 20+ years exp in the const.

remodeling bus. and a growing wedding and portrait bus.And I

have done some of my own dev. and printing .The plastic coated

layin tiles are the way to go since the vibration from the floor

above will drop particles.Hope this helps. Toney