Studio in my Kitchen?!?!

Hey guys....my wife liked the work I did in my studio so much, she has "hired" me to do our Kitchen! :? Not a bad job really, just putting in a ceiling. Now I know this isn't a studio build (please don't shoot me here), but maybe someone would have to do this in a studio? Anyway, just a quick question. One part of my kitchen, a 12'x12' area needs to have the ceiling lowered. I want to go with a simple 1/2" gypsum skin here. No sound issues, etc. The beams from the floor above are 2 x 10's that span 12' long and are 16" on center. Here is my dilemma, I am wondering if any of you know the best way to drop the framing down and do the 1/2" gypsum. I was contemplating attaching 2x8 beams to the existing 2x10's. Not sure if this would be needed and I AM sure it would be heavy. Although these beams do look like they are strong enough to hold up a car. The other option is to do 2x4 framing. The ceiling only needs to drop 8" from the bottom of the existing beams. Anyone have any links or ideas on methods to do this? I will post a pic or two and a sketchup if further explanation is needed. Thanks for any ideas you have.

I would think you'd want to do 5/8" on the ceiling so it wouldn't sag or be wavy. How about using hat channel, spaced from the existing joists with two to four blocks of 2x4? You could run the hat channel perpendicular to the joists. That would be strong and relatively lightweight.

Thats what I was lookin for Sharman! Wait...I mean Sharward. Sounds too much like I am calling your toilet paper or something. YUCK! :lol: Anyway, I knew that you would have an idea. Thanks man!! I will let you know how it goes. Oh....sorry to everyone for the interuption in your Studio readings...now back to your regularly scheduled topic..

http://www.dietrichindustries.com/products/ Maybe something like this?

Unfortunately, Steve, the site you're pointing to is in frames and the specific product you were trying to highlight isn't highlighted at all. Follow the link and you'll see a menu of products. And you're quite welcome, Andy -- after all the work you did on that studio, I can't imagine you even have any brain cells left to come up with utterly awesome ideas like mine. ;-) :lol: --Keith :mrgreen:

Sorry, didn't notice; try this http://www.dietrichindustries.com/produ ... _40-41.pdf Shows steel framing systems/wire hangers for ceilings, might be an easier way to go... Steve

Got it Steve, thanks man. Great ideas all the way around. The build and "sculpting" of the gypsum would make it more difficult to use hat channel or the stuff that Steve posted. Both great ideas though and they both got the creative juices flowing for sure. I have decided to go with a steel plate reinforced 2 x 4 drop frame. I found that there where points to anchor to on the wall framing for addition strength. I will throw some pix up on my server when I get to building just so you can see what you inspired. As always, thanks guys!