The pros and cons of drop ceiling tiles

According to the Lamp Source, the first use of dropped ceilings probably occurred in the 1950s in a commercial setting. The tiles were first made of gypsum, which is what is more commonly used in the manufacturing of drywall. The use of these ceilings quickly moved to residential use as well. But are they right for you? Here are the pros and cons of drop ceiling tiles.

Pros

Easy access If you need to access wires or ducting on the ceiling, this is easily done with dropped ceilings. All that you need to do is shift the position of the tile to access the ceiling beneath it.
Access for possible changes
By having a dropped ceiling, you provide the ability to have access to the ceiling beneath, should you need to add additional wiring, ducting, or other possible changes. Access for maintenance The dropped ceilings allows you to access leaky pipes, faulty wiring and so on, simply by lifting and removing the tiles of the ceiling and replacing them when you are finished. Ease of installation It is possible to install a dropped ceiling yourself, even if you are not a skilled carpenter. Multiple styles The range of tiles for dropped ceilings is quite broad. You can find plain ones, if that is what you desire, or even ones that look like pressed tin. Less costly to repair If the dropped ceiling becomes damaged, it will probably not be necessary to replace the entire ceiling - you can probably replace a few tiles.

Cons

Space requirements A dropped ceiling, by its very nature, takes up head space. This must be a consideration in a room or basement that does not have much head room to begin with. Space requirements for flooring When installing the dropped ceiling, you need to allow up to four inches of space between the floor joists and the ceiling tiles. This can affect the first space requirements above.
Space requirements for fixtures If you wish to install lights in the dropped ceilings, then the proper spacing must be given to them. For example, for lighting, you will need up to six inches between the joists and floor above and the light fixtures. Stigma and cost Dropped ceilings are not always attractive or made of good quality materials. In order to buy a dropped ceiling that is attractive as well as made of good quality materials, you may have to pay more.