possible to replace ceiling tiles?

[toni]

I have a rather low ceiling, with hideous ceiling tiles, in my family room. Behind the tile is the floor boards from the above floor. Is is possible to remove the tiles and sheetrock it? I have't been abl eto find any info anywhere. Thanks

[HayZee518]

The ceiling and floor above is constructed of large joists extending from a wall to a wall - usually the shorter distance of a room. The floor above has boards or sheathing attached to the upper side of the joists. The bottom as you describe is also boards. Then the tile is attached. Usually tiles are attached to furring strips running a foot apart and tacked to the ceiling or joists directly.
You'll need to remove the tiles and furring strips to get an idea of how the ceiling runs. Sags, valleys etc. should be dealt with before you apply the sheetrock. Once you get it reasonably level then put up the rock. Check with your building codes and see which minimum thickness you can put up - 1/2 inch nominally - It is more common for a homeowner to buy 4X8 sheets but if you have the help and a sheetrock jack 4X10 or 4X12 sheets are available. The jack is indespensable in doing ceiling work. Fasten with suitable length screws, twelve inches on center across the whole sheet, not just at the edges. Then mud your joints with tape and compound and make it as thin as possible. Makes drying time less and less to sand. Build the compound up at the joints. You'll notice a slight depression where the sheets join together. This allows you to feather the joints so the compound makes a smooth surface.

[PlumBob]

Toni...

I had a similar problem - tiles from the 50's, glued to the furring strips. I just put 1/4 inch sheetrock up, over the tiles, w/o trying to take them down at all. I put up the sheetrock myself, and had a pro come in and do the taping. Looks great now.

I used 4x8 sheets, as HayZee518 suggests.

PlumBob