I just read through this entire thread for the first time. Some very interesting stuff here.
When we built our new home back in 1999, the builder suggested that we consider deepining the basement by another foot. I declined and to this day I have regretted that decision. Our basement measures 92" from the floor to the bottom of the ceiling joists. It could have been 104" deep. The basement remains unfinished and if I ever install a drop ceiling I worry that it will look like a cave. An 88" high ceiling is pretty low, and our basement is 2,000 square feet.
When we moved in, there were 7 bare bulb fixtures with pull chain on/off controls across the entire basement. It was depressing to even walk down there. When I built my first layout in 2004, I used up about 1/3 of the available space and added 11 fluorescent fixtures, each measuring 48" long around the layout. That, of course, was the brightest spot in the basement.
When I built my new layout, started in 2018, I began by installing 53 recessed can fixtures with LED floodlights inside the ceiling joists. But, I decided not to install a drop ceiling. Now, I wish I did.
I am intrigued with John's installation and what I find most interesting is the "tilt" feature of the framework to install and remove tiles. Living in the Chicago area, all of our wiring must be installed inside thin wall conduit. I actually like the conduit requirement because it is easy to access the wiring, if need be, as opposed to Romex.
But the use of conduit requires access to junction boxes that are mounted up against the ceiling joists. So, suspended ceilings require removable ceiling panels to gain access to ceiling mounted junction boxes. That "tilt" solution would be ideal to secure access.
I need to seriously consider the system that John has used. With my recessed can fixtures in place, it wouldn't be that difficult to install his system as opposed to a drop down ceiling that would lose even more space between the ceiling and the floor of the basement.
One last thought for anyone unfamiliar with conduit. It is easy to conceal conduit up between the ceiling joists when joining between recessed can lights, and flexible BX is permitted for 6' runs or less in length.
But the main runs of conduit that run across the basement ceiling from the service panel to reach the upper floors of the house must be secured to the underside of the ceiling joists. This poses a problem with drop ceilings or even with the "tilt" system.
What I mean by that is that the framework cannot be attached directly to the underside of the ceiling joists but must be attached to firring strips that encase the conduit. Problems, problems, problems.
Rich
