Planning my workshop is driving me nuts!

[paulrussell]

Hopefully a good kinda nuts.

The room is aprx 16 x 20 walkout basement room with 3 doors (entry/outdoor/storage) and a window.

I've been hard at work wiring for power and now have 3 duplex outlets on each wall mounted "switch height" (43") and currently split between two circuits. I've wired so that I can split it into three circuits without reopening the walls. I've went back and forth in my mind about the walls, going from OSB to drywall and back again. I decided that should the day come when I want to use the room for anything else (unlikely as that may be) or sell the house (a bit more likely) that drywall will be a big plus, and doesn't have a major downside.

So, having decided on drywall, I need to think about the ceiling since it is best to mount ceiling drywall first. (When I was thinking OSB I was just going to paint the ceiling.)

So now I need to think lighting. I have eight foot ceilings, and currently have a single bare bulb in the center of the room.

Options I've considered - while retaining existing light:
1 - Put in four or six recessed lights (I noticed some can be aimed)
2 - Install recessed or surface mount permanent fluorescent.
3 - Install two switch-controlled quad outlet boxes in ceiling, then put in strip lights, fluorescent strips, or whatever else seems to meet the current need.

#3 seems most appealing to me, since resale-wise a new owner could keep the outlets, or cover them with blank plates, leaving the center lamp.

Any thoughts for or against?

Any tips for the first-timer on drywalling? I know 12' sheets are really popular these days, but I'm thinking of using 8' because they are lighter and easier to handle. And yes, I plan on renting a lift.

Much thanks...

[dusty]

Unless you have some experience hanging drywall OR have some experienced free help - hire a sheet rocker.

A qualified sheet rocker will likely finish your shop the same day he starts.

Someone not experienced might finish the same week.

Make sure all of the wiring is done before the rocker gets there!!!!

I can't give any good information about which lights to buy/install. But I can tell you that this is a very important decision. I also have the opinion that you cannot have too much light in your shop. My shop is grossly under lite and it gets worse as I get older. I am not kidding. I used to be able to see just fine in the shop. During these later years, I find it more and more necessary to have supplemental lighting.

[mrhart]

Hanging drywall overhead is "work" but not rocket science. Taping and texturing and have it look professional afterwards, is more the art. In my opinion, I would hang the rock and hire out the tape and tex.
Dust containment is a thought. DC while in that stage?

[JPG]

Hanging drywall overhead is "work" but not rocket science. Taping and texturing and have it look professional afterwards, is more the art. In my opinion, I would hang the rock and hire out the tape and tex.
Dust containment is a thought. DC while in that stage?

If you do not 'sand', there is no dust!

A damp sponge will remove 'small' high spots.

Trick is avoiding high spots to begin with.

I will never ever again use sandpaper.

Takes practice!!!!!!!!! Especially at butt(end) joints.

Also requires more than two 'passes' if 'perfection' be a goal. A 12" tool helps considerably.

P.S. Do tell us how simple hanging a ceiling with 12' is afterwards.

IIWM, I would not do the ceiling prior to its being a workshop. By leaving a suitably sized gap at the top of the walls allows adding ceiling for 'saleability'.