How To Raise Your Ceiling Height | What You Need To Know!

Great DIY tutorial on how to raise your ceiling height when you have a flat or dropped ceiling. Many old homes have lowered ceilings that can be easily removed. Take your ceilings straight up to the rafters to add height, spaciousness & value to your home! Always consult a structural engineer before removing ceiling joists or beginning demolition.
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HOW TO VAULT A CEILING: • How To Vault a Ceiling...
Q. Should I raise my ceilings? Yes. If possible I always raise my ceiling height if my ceiling joists are not a part of the structure. I've raised ceilings by myself many times, it's simple and I love the results.
*Always check with a licensed structural engineer to confirm that your ceiling joists can be safely removed
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[@FreeSpiritAlways]

Glad I found this video. Hubby and I are starting the project of raising the 7 foot ceilings in our 1940 built home. My granddaddy built it. This helps a lot. Relieves some of my fear.

[@jon2o9]

Do you have an update mine are 7ft and im really considering raising my ceiling.

[@aromero9243]

Hen you said "those extra 10 inches matter" I had a Glenn Quagmire moment 😆

[@DaruDhillon]

I was talking like no one was watching 😂

[@philliptoone]

2:00 I would have cut them on each end to keep them a long a possible because I would have reused them somewhere.

[@DaruDhillon]

Phillip Toone If you can reuse old lumber all the better! Good point Phillip! Salvaged wood saves money, reduces waste and can look great as a feature wall, shelving etc.

[@1065Olivia]

Great tip on cutting an angle instead of straight! Will be removing dropped ceiling in 1906 house in upstairs hallway. Dropped ceiling squares that are hiding 6 transom windows.

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks 1065Olivia. Your home sounds amazing! It's great when you can uncover hidden treasures in a house. It will add lots of light and architectural detail. Would love to see a before and after pics. Good luck with your renovation.

[@Eshlaw]

Doing a house built in 1780 rn in Connecticut complete 2nd floor remodel what a cool place amazing how shut was done back in the day held up all this time

[@DaruDhillon]

Sound like you are working on a gem John! You have a lot of beautiful homes and architecture in that part of the country. Nice to hear that you are enjoying the remodel and giving the home new life. 👍

[@mattpolitzer2920]

Thanks Daru and Ryan. The demo trick of cutting the joists at an angle is invaluable. Keep them videos coming. Matt

[@DaruDhillon]

Great to hear Matt! It is a pretty awesome tip :)

[@ebonyjaney1603]

Matt Politzer cf

[@joannoliveira7945]

Great video! That tip about the cut is so clever and helpful. Do you have any advice on how to demo an existing ceiling? We live in the house. Not too comfortable with the idea of lifting a sledgehammer and shoving it into the ceiling. Which is what I imagine we need to do? Yikes!

[@DaruDhillon]

Great to hear from you JoAnn! You can use a lighter weight sledgehammer to smash holes in plaster or a drywall ceiling to get you started but my favorite way is to use a large demo hammer. They are lighter and have a hook on one end that can help you to pull down your ceiling with more control than a sledgehammer. If you have a lot extra space in your attic or ceiling I also sledge carefully from above, in between the ceiling joists from a ladder. This keeps you away from the falling debris and is very effective especially with a plaster ceiling. If you are working with a drywall/sheetrock ceiling you can score the perimeter with a blade before you begin. Hard hat and eye goggles are also a good idea. Good luck with your renovation! It's a dusty job but absolutely worth the effort!!

[@giulianacr2638]

Wow I'm impressed by your work and knowledge :)

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks Giuliana, hope to share more soon!

[@sinistersurfer9249]

Good job Ryan

[@jaxv94]

back when "2x4s" were actually 2x4s!

[@DaruDhillon]

***Always consult a structural engineer before starting any demolition on your home and for approval of what is non-structural on your home. . Thanks for watching! -->>subscribe + hit the bell notification for my next video!

[@kristenrobinson435]

What is the cost on this project? Or rather, what should one expect to pay a contractor to do this (assuming no major electrical or ductwork changes)?

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Kristen, Raising a flat ceiling is more affordable than raising a vaulted ceiling. If your ceiling is flat and your studs run straight up to your rafters (roof) it's just the cost of demo and a little extra drywall and labor (9ft or 10ft lengths, instead of standard 8ft). The most costly issue you may come across are interior walls, or studs that are not tied into the rafters which would require extra framing to reach your new ceiling height. In a smaller sized home prices can start around $2000. It's a lot cheaper if no carpentry is involved which happens in about half the older homes I've seen. Great question Kristen, thanks and good luck with your project!

[@ColtWorks100]

How about the piping between the boards you cut out and the floor joists? Can you run new piping through the floor joists?

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi breid45! The vent I removed was not in use and disconnected by a previous owner. I run plumbing and venting in joist cavities and never cut joists or rafters for waste stacks or vents as I don't want to undermine the structure. For smaller drains and water lines you can safely cut joists to run plumbing but be sure to check your local building code for guidelines. With older homes, on occasion, I will have no other option than to build soffits and try to incorporate them into the design of the room to hide plumbing runs. Hope this helps!

[@sujatasood1246]

Daru thanks for this super video. We are in the process of looking for contractors who are creative and the master of their crafts for our new home renovation. Are you and your team available to chat?

[@Mangoxmoon]

How would a project like this affect a home that has a swamp cooler?

[@lydialucas459]

My husband and I are thinking about buying a home built in 1860 in Massachusetts- He is 6 foot 3 and had to slouch while on the top floor. For comparison, do you remember when and/or where this house in the video was built? Thank you! Are there any visual hints at seeing if the home has dropped ceilings before cutting in? Thank you!

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Lydia, Thanks for the question! Most of the homes I've seen with dropped flat ceilings were build around 1900-1920. Without having access to the attic or an access panel it's tough to know for sure if you can raise your ceilings unless you cut an hole in the plaster which is what I did after after purchasing our home. I suggest talking to neighbors to find out more about the home you are interested in. Neighbor's homes are often built around the same time, in the same style and they may have renovation insight that could be helpful to you. Good luck with your house hunt Lydia, historic Massachusetts homes are beautiful!!

[@lydialucas459]

Thank you so much for the great advice!! :-)

[@amandalopez126]

Hi! I am looking at seeing if it’s possible to drop our ceiling in order to make the attic bigger since we are making it into bedrooms. This is an 1890s home we live in. Is this possible? If so, I’m hoping to contact someone who is licensed to help us with this :)

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Amanda, it’s best to call a structural engineer in your area to talk about what type of home you have especially the style of roof. Anything is possible but some renovations are out of reach due to cost. You can work directly with an engineer. I have always found them very helpful and able to explain everything in detail. It would require restructuring, permits and would be a more expensive renovation. Often dormers are used to add ceiling height if you have a pitched roof. Hope that helps!

[@gailfulcher9053]

Hi. This is a great video but what do you do after this to finish it?

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks Gail! For a flat ceiling like this it was really simple. I insulated and then drywalled as normal. In other parts of our house I had to extend the interior walls up a foot and a half so they tied into the new ceiling height. I attached a 2x4 to the newly revealed ceiling joists, plumb with the wall studs and installed my studs every 16”. Hope that helps, good luck with your project!

[@squeekhobby4571]

Great job

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks for watching Squeek Hobby.

[@healingtouch22]

Thank you so much for the informative video Daru! Do you see dropped ceilings in 3/4 underground basements as well? Trying to rent my home that was built in 1917 (Ogden, Utah) and basement ceiling is only 3" shy of city code, Uggghhh.

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks Sasang Doc! These types of dropped ceilings were only installed with flat roofs. Your home is the same vintage as the houses here. Sorry we can’t help you out. 3” clearance is so close! Uggghh is right. Hello to you in Utah! 👋🏽

[@healingtouch22]

@@DaruDhillon Wow! Thank you so much! Love your youtube videos!

[@DaruDhillon]

@@healingtouch22 Thanks! If you have any video suggestions for us let us know!

[@riffdex]

Hi Daru. Can I remove the ceiling ties in my shed if I install a structural LVL ridge beam?

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Dexter, thanks for the question! For beam sizing and restructuring your ceiling it’s best to bring in a structural engineer. They will be able to visit your site and give you specific instructions. Some ceiling joists are structural and require additional cross-ties to be installed if they are removed.

[@faraidoonrawf556]

Hi, can I raise my ceiling as I live in the UK and feel claustrophobic whenever I look at my living room. I intend to put indirect lightening. Is this is a DIY thing or not.

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Faraidoon, This type of easy raising is only achieved with homes with flat roof that were built a century ago or older. It’s best to consult a structural engineer before starting any work on your ceiling or roof. You can always drill a small hole in your ceiling to see if it was lowered or talk to your neighbours if they have a similarly constructed home. Thanks for the question! I would only recommend this as a DIY depending on what your engineer says.

[@sherezrenee3638]

Hi! I am a new follower here and on KZbin! Do you have any advice on how to know if something is a drop ceiling or not (without opening any walls haha). We recently moved to a rust belt city and noticed that the homes have such low ceilings on the second floor that the second flr is basically considered a "half floor"! (ceiling height around 6-7 ft)

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Sherez, thanks for the follow. What year was your home built? Generally, homes built after WW2 have lower ceilings than those built before. I wish I could see through ceilings but to check I’d use a small hole saw attached to a drill or use drywall saw to cut a small hole. Reach in with your camera phone and take a quick video. It just needs to be big enough to shoot a video. That should give you a better idea what you have. Thanks for the question and congratulations on your home!

[@sherezrenee3638]

@@DaruDhillon thank you! Excited to be following a female contractor! Love the videos so far!!

[@DaruDhillon]

Great to hear! If you have any video ideas or questions I’m happy to help!

[@alexmedina6742]

Hello my question is could I raise my basement ceiling without digging in the ground

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Alex, raising ceilings with this method is done on the upper level of your house. For basements, you have the option of digging out your basement and securing your foundations with benching (cheaper option) or underpinning. Thanks for your question!

[@shannonthomas5510]

Hello, my husband is wondering where you put the duct work?

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Shannon, the upstairs existing duct work terminates at the floor (floor registers) for all rooms upstairs so additional duct work wasn’t needed. If a run is needed I would try to hide it adjacent to a closet or in the least visible way possible keeping in mind the heating requirements of the rooms.

[@smalltownplaya712]

Why are the joists they took out so big if they are just for attaching drywall? Maybe they just overbuilt it cause they could? I bought an 1890 cottage and have yet to see how they did it on that, should start working on it this spring. Good video tho, interesting and the host is hot.

[@DaruDhillon]

The joists were 2x4s which are pretty standard in a 100 year old home. They were used to hold up original plaster and lathe and later drywall. Congratulations on your cottage.

[@smalltownplaya712]

@@DaruDhillon Ah ok, they looked like timbers in the video, old school lumber. Thanks.

[@great567]

How you know if it's that's possible before breaking into the ceiling ?

[@DaruDhillon]

Great question David! Dropped ceilings like this are sometimes found in homes built around the turn of the century or earlier, century homes or Victorians. If your home was built later than this it would most likely not be possible. The only way to know for sure is to make a small hole in your ceiling when renovating or ask a neighbor if they have a similar style home. Hope that helps!

[@AndiFromTheAndes]

Is this applicable for a basement ceiling?

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Andrea, this video isn’t applicable to basements, I wouldn’t want you to cut through a floor joist. Thanks for the question!

[@momme5301]

Do you have after pictures or videos?

[@DaruDhillon]

I have photos of vaulted ceilings on IG and Facebook but not of a flat ceiling like this one. Sorry Dad dd. I'll have to do that next time. I didn't think to take before photos as it was a nice unexpected surprise to gain the extra ceiling height. Thanks for watching. instagram.com/darudhillon/ and Facebook : facebook.com/DaruDhillon/

[@Kozette88]

Where did you go? 😢Great videos

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks for the support Kozette! I will be doing weekly videos soon!

[@tristanpastor8129]

she looks good to renovate! wow

[@chrismoore9997]

I hope you will make some new videos.

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Chris, I have a new one coming out next week. Hope you're subscribed so you'll be notified. hanks for supporting my channel!

[@umangatang]

10 inches in a small space.. followed by a cheeky smile. wow

[@kestans]

why did my house lean to the side... ? someone removed ceiling joists...

[@DaruDhillon]

These ceiling joists are not structural so they were removed. No reinforcement needed. You should always consult with a structural engineer first. Our structural engineer confirmed that the joists could be removed before starting our demolition.

[@himanshunegi3365]

Hey , awesome work. I need a help, will you help me. How can I contact you.

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Himanshu, thanks! You can DM me on Instagram @DaruDhillon

[@himanshunegi3365]

@@DaruDhillon ok, thanks dear

[@CM-xi1nh]

you do the talking like the expert, yeah

[@priscillabajandi1991]

Wow you’re so strong like female Hercules!💪❤️👌

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks Priscilla! ❤

[@shawnalexander4928]

Wait ceiling joist are structural

[@DaruDhillon]

You should check with a structural engineer to determine whether your ceiling joists are structural. I have a couple vides featuring homes over 100 years old where they are not but you have to consult an engineer to be certain.

[@RellMonroe]

I saw what she did there with the “Inches matter” statement

[@DaruDhillon]

I’m a woman talking about measurement. It’s almost 2021.

[@RellMonroe]

@@DaruDhillon you’re right I was just kidding. My apologies if I offended you.

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks Rell, I get these comments fairly often and I get tired of them.

[@DaruDhillon]

It’s now 2021. It’s official. Women and men can talk about measurement.

[@AdroitRoger]

Which city are you in ?

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Roger, I’m in Toronto. How about you? 👋🏽

[@AdroitRoger]

@@DaruDhillon oh great, I am in Oakville and have a town home and think the ceiling is very low in our lives room.

[@TomKaren94]

Why not cut them near the end rather than in the middle? You can easily control the single larger piece as you remove it, and you have longer pieces of salvage material. And no one wears that much makeup on any of my job sites.

[@DaruDhillon]

TomKaren94 cutting the ceiling joists near the end works just as well. Thanks for the makeup tips Tom!

[@lostintime8651]

always wear gloves people.

[@DaruDhillon]

lostintime86 Gloves are great especially for demo and dealing with sharp objects. However, when using saws I prefer not to wear gloves because I feel like I have better control without. On the plus side, gloves do hide my man hands :)

[@arazmohammaddavaji-zy5kl]

I love you

[@DaruDhillon]

Back at you!

[@richardrawlings4325]

You are the cutest thing I've ever seen! Good lord. Great vids too. Thanks

[@user-pg9yc9nm9x]

You can choose for one of the above gifts

[@DaruDhillon]

Must be my lucky day :)

[@rennatsnikwah2935]

Why th Ryan got on a harness😂

[@JLaceRap]

You’re right 10” is a lot 🤣

[@chrismoore9997]

Why did you stop making videos? It takes some time to build up a following. You just need to keep plugging away at it.

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks for the encouragement Chris! I appreciate everyone who has watched my videos and subscribed to my channel. Because of everyone's support I will be putting out new videos my goal is to release new videos every week, starting this fall. I hope you will let me know how I'm doing and what type of videos you would find helpful.

[@johnellisonarmadilloconstr7966]

People you all can not do this!! This is a special case. Most houses are framed where ceiling joists are a structural part. Don’t go pulling out ceiling joists!!

[@DaruDhillon]

You should always check with a structural engineer before removing ceiling joists. This house is over 100 years old and won’t apply to everyone. Thanks for the reminder John. 👍🏽

[@L110508]

This is so impossible to DIY unless you are Macgyver's dad.

[@DaruDhillon]

Or Macgyver’s mom…You’ll be surprised what you can achieve.

[@achristianson4059]

"Holding up the drywall? "

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Aaron, are you a sheetrock guy? Drywall...it's a regional thing!

[@louuuuuu5]

@@DaruDhillon Didn't see any drywall that it's holding up there..

[@DaruDhillon]

Hi Lewis, I removed the plaster and lath plus drywall so that we'd be able to see in between the ceiling joists when shooting.

[@rayvb5712]

$0 costs?? Ryan works for free? Or you're paying him with other currency?!? Let us know!!!! And also..... are you hiring?

[@DaruDhillon]

I’ve done this in other houses myself for free and definitely a DIYer can do it too. Ryan was paid so I see your point. 👍🏽

[@amjorgy1]

Dang she's hot!

[@sarahowe4747]

Is he single? 😍

[@DaruDhillon]

He’s an amazing guy!

[@HRMapuan]

you should be wearing a hard hat

[@DaruDhillon]

Thanks for the safety tip!

[@slipagent6]

Nobody is cutting up lumber in 2021!

[@DaruDhillon]

Absolutely! Spot on! 👍🏽

[@codycast]

0:35 I got an extra 10 inches for ya