best independent ceiling design

I'm not saying what it is, I'm asking what it is! John Sawyer showed this upside down ceiling solution which seems like a great one. Is it the best option for an independent ceiling or are there other ones out there? I will hang the ceiling onto the walls and thought of something like on this plan but like John's solution much better - simpler and looks more efficient. Thanks!

"Is it the best option for an independent ceiling or are there other ones out there?" It is the more difficult one to build. If you were to simply frame up walls and overhead ceiling then hang sheetrock on these framing members, it is a cut and dried solution. With an inside out type overhead your framed walls would have to be made temporarily rigid in order to lift the pre-built panels into the overhead placement area. Not only is it tricky, the panels can be cumbersome to get into place. When I see John's inside out construction it is mostly used were space is at a minimum so acoustic treatments and mass placement become issues.

xSpace wrote:

When I see John's inside out construction it is mostly used were space is at a minimum so acoustic treatments and mass placement become issues.

exactly - I reckon it's worth it with your standard 8' (2.4m) ceiling in the typical home and especially in the US basements where ceilings are as low as 7'.

Thanks for your inputs guys. John, I see your point - when space is at a premium it makes sense to optimise it. When space is not the most important parameter would this design below give even a bit more insulation (due to rockwool/air sandwich trapping sound in the gap) or would it be the same? Cheers!

In your design you have a greater air space so it would be better - but not all that much better ;) also you have less depth internally for your internal insulation.

John Sayers wrote:

exactly - I reckon it's worth it with your standard 8' (2.4m) ceiling in the typical home and especially in the US basements where ceilings are as low as 7'.

It was that kind of thinking outside of the box that made me want to spend time here at your forum to see what else you guys would come up with ;)

Thanks for your reply John, I'm in the process of polishing off the plans before going into build so am weighting the space vs. isolation balance, a hard choice to make! I have gone for something a bit hybrid as there are beams in the way, if you fancy a butcher it's HERE - and feel free to be give any ocmment you want I won't be hurt I promise :wink: