Coffered ceilings make a room look luxurious.
Creating the look of a coffered ceiling has never been easier. Manufacturers are producing a wide range of products using lightweight materials that visually replicate the elaborate trim and designs of the traditional ceiling style. These ceiling types range from pressed plastic and metal panels to dimensional foam pieces. Some require the installation of faux beams to enhance the coffered look, while others achieve the look of beams using a snap-on trim. Look for the product that best meets your particular needs and budget.
Instructions
1. Measure the room where you want to install the ceiling. Draw the dimensions of the ceiling on 1/4-inch graph paper. Divide your length in half and mark. Then divide the width in half and mark. Find the intersection of your two marks for the approximate center of your ceiling. Move a stud finder along the ceiling and mark the location of each ceiling joist.
2. Note the exact locations of ceiling fixtures and joists on your plan. If you intend to maintain those fixtures, you may need to adjust their fit or position to look good on your new ceiling. If you have only a single center ceiling fixture, make that fixture the center of your ceiling and decide if it will also be the center of a panel or if it will be at the intersection of false beams surrounding your panels.
3. Draw in your center panel or beam decision on the graph paper. With some panel systems, the center portion of the panels glue to the ceiling and are additionally nailed or screwed into the ceiling joist. Some systems are made up entirely of panels; some use panels and false beams. Usually the beams are designed to fit together around the perimeter of the tiles.
4. Draw the exact layout of the ceiling on the graph paper. When you reach the edges of the ceiling, you are likely to need partial panels or beams. With beam style, many designers run a beam around the ceiling tight to the walls, as this provides a more finished look. Transfer the details of your layout to the ceiling using a tape measure, straightedge, pencil and chalk line. To use a chalk line make two marks spaced equally. Draw the chalk-covered string out of the box. Hold the string over the two marks and snap. The bouncing string will leave a straight line over the two marks.
5. Turn off your room electricity and disconnect your central light fixture. Remove the caps on your recessed can lights at the same time. Cut a hole in your central panel using heavy shears or the cutting tool recommended by the manufacturer.
6. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the panel. Align the panel with the lines on the ceiling. Press the panel to the ceiling.
7. Find your joist line. Nail or screw two or three fasteners through the panel into the joist. Use small head fasteners, which are like finish nails that you can hide later with wood fill. Some manufacturers have specific techniques to hide fasteners.
8. Add the false beams around your central panel. With some systems, the false beam is actually a clip that slides over the adjacent sides of two panels, helping to hold the panels together while providing the appearance of a beam.
9. Press the clip over the edges of the two adjacent sections of panel. These clip sections are precut and easy to install following the manufacturer's directions. Some are mounted over cleats which are attached to the ceiling before you install your panels. Follow the directions for your particular product.
Tags: false beams, graph paper, your ceiling, , ceiling joist, center panel, center your