Walls and Ceilings - Ceiling Shadow Lines Where Trusses Exist?

Hello everyone, thanks again for the great posts and information.

I am in the process of finishing my basement and had someone come in and paint my knock down ceilings. (Sherwin Williams Extra White) He did a great job and once he finished, during the day (lookout basement with lots of light) it looked awesome. Unfortunately, when I walked down to the basement at night and flipped on the canned lights, I could see a "shadow" effect (don't know exactly what to call it) where my trusses run perpendicular across the ceiling. (I'm viewing it from one end of the room). Not, my butt joints were staggered so it wasn't where the butt joints all met together. Its hard to explain but it appears like there is a color difference, shadow, in the ceiling every 24 inches were my trusses run (6 to 10 inches wide) from one side of the room to the other. As I approach the canned lights, the shadow goes away. Tapered joints parallel with the room are fine and the guy who mudded my basement feathered everything out 12-24 inches.

Is this because my trusses are at different elevations and the lighting from the canned lights "skips" across the ceiling exaggerating the imperfections? Should I use a darker paint to hide or lessen the effects? Grrrrr. :)

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I hope I explained everything well enough.

Pat

I usually see this on the upper floor where the truss system is on 24" centers and 1/2" drywall is used. Basically there is a slight wave in the drywall creating the shadow. It would be unusual on floor truss/joist.

A darker paint on the ceiling would probably help to hide the shadows but.......... it will also make the room appear darker.

Another alternative would be to texture the ceiling. This will break up the light and hide the 'Swag' in the ceiling.

Thanks everyone. I will probably try to paint it a little darker "white" color first. I know each builder typically has an off-white they use that is darker. In the Twin Cities here, Rottlund White, Town and Country White, etc. Now I know why. :-) Covers things up........

The way you light makes a difference too. This is why you noticed it at night. More light shining up on the ceiling will chase away the shaddows. Cans are the worst!