Is there a more attractive alternative to a drop ceiling that allows easy access to the space above it?

Question

Are there any ways of installing a basement ceiling that is seamless and does not look like a drop ceiling, but which can still be somehow disassembled?

Alternatively, are there more subtle forms of drop ceiling technology available?

My subjective opinion is that drop ceilings look ugly. But as I need to access the area above in my basement, at least until all my re-wiring-the-house tasks are done, I don't want to put up drywall, unless I can rig up some panes that I can later remove (which is one option I am considering). I could also just put up drywall, and cut holes in it, and patch it later.

What would you do? Put up with a drop ceiling? Make holes later? Third alternative?

Answer 1

You may be able to hang birch- or maple-faced plywood. You can screw it to joists and then unscrew a panel when you need to get in to change stuff.

My neighbor used this as a floor, with a urethane coating, but you may be able to skip the finish.

I haven't tried this approach myself. YMMV.

Answer 2

The big question is -- what's ugly? the tracks, or the panels?

If it's the tracks, I'd go with Jay's answer.

If it's the panels, consider putting something other than your standard acoustic tile in. For instance, you could cut down luan into the necessary panel sizes (although I don't know if you'd need to do something to dampen sound with them), or Armstrong makes ceiling panels that have a more pressed-tin look to them.

...

The next question is what sort of wiring are you doing, and where?

If it's all low-voltage, and you're running it along basement walls I'd tack all of the cables up in the corners of the ceiling, and then put up crown molding large enough to cover it once you're done.