New Ceiling Costs by Style

Expect to pay an average of $1,650 to install a 150-square-foot ceiling in each room of your home. The price per square footfalls in the $1 to $30 range. The type of ceiling you want is the most important factor when it comes to the overall cost of installation.

Tray Ceiling Cost

Expect to pay $300 to $600, or $2 to $4 per square foot, for a decorative tray ceiling painted in a single hue or contrasting colors. Tray ceilings help make the space feel bigger while maintaining a rather minimalistic look. It has a recessed section at the center that sits about a foot higher than the surrounding ceiling surface.

Tongue and Groove Ceiling Cost

Tongue and groove ceilings are $300 to $750, or around $2 to $5 per square foot. This ceiling style features interlocking wood planks that are either stained or painted. They have a simple appeal that pairs well with most room designs and colors.

Drop Ceilings

Drop ceilings cost $1,775 on average or $5 to $28 per square foot. Materials make up most of the cost since labor is only $2 to $5 per square foot. This ceiling style not only looks fantastic, but can also help you hide wiring, pipes and ducts with ease. You can even conveniently handle maintenance and upgrades by lifting the tiles out of the way. For those reasons, you would use them in basements with tall ceilings.

Stretch Ceiling Cost

Expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $2,100 for stretch ceiling systems. Most installers charge $6 to $14 per square foot, which includes both labor and materials. The installation kit comes with a sturdy perimeter track that holds the decorative fabric membrane taut. They work well for covering popcorn ceilings without dealing with its costly and time-consuming removal.

Zip-Up Ceiling Price

Zip-up ceilings cost $1,050 to $2,250 for a 150-square-foot space. The installation kit and labor are around $7 to $15 per square foot. These panels work best for outdoor living rooms and underdeck areas. They look great and channel water away from the space to keep it clean, dry and comfortable.

Beam Ceilings

You'll pay $1,000 to $3,000 to fit each room with beam ceilings. Although the project usually prices them, you can use its $7 to $20 per square foot to compare costs to your other options. For this build, installers add timber to an existing room or expose the home's support beams. This style comes with a variety of personalization options, including the wood type and finish.

Coffered Ceilings

Coffered ceilings cost $3,000 to $4,500 plus the price of any extra accents you want, like tin tiles, medallions and recessed lights. Their square foot price falls in the $20 to $30 range. Providing both texture and architectural elements, this style features a series of attractive crossed beams and panels. It is easy to personalize the look with different wood types, finishes and paint colors.

Vaulted Ceilings

The price to raise your ceiling for a vaulted look is $7,500 to $11,250 for a 150-square-foot room. Expect to pay about $50 to $75 per square foot for a project of this scope. Although it's one of the priciest upgrades you can do, the effects are quite dramatic even when raising your ceiling up just two to four feet.

Cost of Cathedral Ceiling

A cathedral ceiling comes at a much higher price of $18,000 to $25,000 or $120 to $175 per square foot. With this style, the ceiling follows the slope of the roofline to create a much more dramatic look. This style adds both depth and light to the room and creates the illusion of extra space.

Ceiling Costs by Material

A basic flat ceiling costs $2 to $20 per square foot when made out of drywall or wood. The price includes materials and labor. Hanging a ceiling is more complicated than putting up drywall or installing a wood floor, but it takes about the same amount of time.

Cost to Install Drywall or Sheetrock Ceiling

Installing a drywall ceiling costs $300 to $400 for a 150-square-foot room. Expect to pay $2 to $3 per square foot for labor and materials. Standard, smooth drywall ceilings are the easiest and cheapest to install. They look great in any room, especially when painted the same color as the walls.

Wood Ceiling Cost

Wood ceilings are $2 to $20 per square foot, depending on the type of wood you want to use. Expect to pay anywhere from $750 to $3,000 for each 150-square-foot room.

Cost to Replace a Ceiling

Replacing a ceiling could reach $4,500 depending on the design and materials you pick. Expect to pay up to $1 per square foot for the cost of interior demo work as a part of that price. Your installer must remove the old ceiling materials and throw them out at the dump or recycling facility. After that, they can easily install your new ceiling using the materials and design you choose.

FAQs

How much does it cost to demo a ceiling?

Demoing a 150-square-foot ceiling is about $150 or $1 per square foot. If you want more height in the room, expect to pay around $9,000 to cover the cost of raising the ceiling.

What is the cheapest ceiling to install?

Drywall is the most inexpensive ceiling to install at $2 to $3 per square foot. Tray ceilings are equally affordable at $2 to $4 per square foot and so are tongue and groove designs. You also have poplar, pine and oak ceilings in the $3 to $4 range.

Are tray ceilings outdated?

Tray ceilings are not outdated. In fact, they can have an upscale, contemporary feel when designed correctly. Using mixed materials, like putting tongue and groove in the recessed area, makes the whole room look stylish and modern.