A wood ceiling makes this room appear warm and inviting.
Decorative wood ceilings can create a beautiful, warm effect in a room. Wood ceiling planks are available in a variety of wood types and finishes, from smooth and classic to rough and rustic, and can mimic any color of stained wood. Installing a wood plank ceiling seems difficult at first, but with the right tools and instructions, you can transform your ceiling for the cost of the planks, nails and a few other inexpensive items.
Instructions
1. Open the plank boxes, and place the planks in the room you've selected for installation. The planks need at least 24 hours to expand and contract based on the temperature of the room. Installing planks before they have adjusted to the ambient temperature can lead to cracks in finished work.
2. Nail the furring strips to the ceiling joists. A furring strip is a piece of wood, usually around 2 inches wide, that is attached on the ceiling joists, perpendicular to the ceiling joists. Place the first furring strip against the wall, perpendicular to the ceiling joists, and nail it in place. A pneumatic nailer is the most efficient way to attach furring strips. Place the next furring strip 12 inches from the first and nail into place. Continue this process until you have installed furring strips on the entire ceiling. Install the final furring strip against the wall.
3. Level the furring strips. Use a carpenter's level to determine any dips in the furring strips. When dips occur, pull the furring strip slightly away from the ceiling joist until level, and place shims (thin strips of wood used for leveling) in between the furring strip and joist to keep the furring strip from dipping.
4. Measure the width of the wall, and divide that width by 6. Ceiling planks are 6 inches wide, so the calculation will tell you how many ceiling planks are needed to cover the width of the ceiling. If the number is not an even number, divide the remaining difference by 2 to get the exact width needed for the planks against the wall on each side. That way your planks will be symmetric.
5. Cut the planks for each side of the ceiling to the width determined in Step 4. A table saw is the most efficient way of achieving a clean, straight cut.
6. Install the first plank. Place the first plank in the right corner of the ceiling, perpendicular to the furring strips, and staple in place. Most planks are manufactured with a thin strip down one side called a plank flange that is used for stapling. Each plank must start and end on a furring strip for the ceiling to be secure.
7. Install the remainder of the planks. Cut the second plank one foot shorter than the first plank to achieve a staggered look to the ceiling. The planks are interlocking, so snap the second plank into the first plank and staple in place. Cut the third plank one foot shorter than the second plank. Snap the third plank into the and staple in place. Repeat the process for the remainder of the ceiling, alternating between the three different lengths of planks until the entire ceiling is in place.
8. Nail wall molding between the ceiling and the wall to complete the ceiling.
Tags: furring strip, furring strips, ceiling joists, first plank, second plank, against wall, ceiling planks