Basement and Open Ceiling Spraying

Why open ceilings are sprayed

An open ceiling is a maze of joists, subfloor, ducts, pipes, wiring and hangers. A roller cannot reach between joists or around round ductwork, and brushing every surface by hand takes far longer and still leaves gaps. Airless spraying coats all of those surfaces evenly, including the hidden sides you only notice when they are missed. Painting everything a single color, often black, white or a dark gray, makes the clutter visually recede, which is why the look is common in finished basements, lofts and restaurants. It is also a practical way to brighten an unfinished basement or garage.

Masking and protection

Spraying puts fine paint mist in the air, so protection is as important as the spraying itself. Before any paint is applied, walls, floors, windows, light fixtures and anything that cannot be moved are covered with plastic sheeting and masking. Sprinkler heads, smoke detectors and electrical boxes are covered so they keep working as intended afterward. Ventilation is set up for the space, and occupants and pets stay out of the area while the work is underway. Once the coating is dry, the masking comes down and the space is cleaned before you move back in.

Choosing the right coating

Residential basement ceilings are usually sprayed with a flat ceiling paint that hides imperfections in the wood and keeps light from glaring. In commercial spaces with high ceilings, a dryfall coating is often the better choice, since overspray dries into dust before it reaches the floor, which makes cleanup easier in occupied buildings. Bare metal ductwork and galvanized pipe need a compatible primer so the paint does not peel. Before spraying, we check for moisture, mold or active leaks, which need to be dealt with first. The estimate lists the coating and color planned for your ceiling.