Install Ceiling Planks
Wood planking is an attractive, sturdy alternative to plain plaster or soft tiles for your ceiling. Hanging ceiling planks is different from installing floor planks, in both materials and method. Ceiling planks come in light, soft wood that is long enough to span the whole ceiling instead of butting end to end. They can't be secured to the ceiling plaster, but must be nailed directly to the joists (the wood support beams behind the ceiling). They fit together with tongue-and-groove sides in the same manner as floor boards, however.
Instructions
1. Locate each ceiling joist with a stud finder. Mark their positions with a pencil and level, extending your lines across the whole ceiling.
2. Measure the ceiling along the starting wall, which must be perpendicular to the joists. Transfer the measurement to a ceiling plank. Cut the plank on your miter saw with the blade set at 90 degrees (a straight cut across the width).
3. Set the cut plank in place on the ceiling, against the starting wall. The grooved side should face the wall. Hold the plank 1/4 inch out from the wall, leaving a gap to allow the planks to expand with environmental changes.
4. Nail the plank in place with your nail gun, sinking two nails through the face at each point where the plank crosses a joist.
5. Measure and cut the next plank. Connect it to the first one by pushing its groove onto the previous board's tongue. Sink a nail through side of the board, just below the tongue and angled upward, at each joist.
6. Continue cutting and hanging plank until the whole ceiling is done. Cut the last piece lengthwise on a table saw to get it to fit against the wall, leaving the same 1/4 inch gap as at the starting wall.
7. Hang ceiling trim around the edges of the ceiling to cover the gaps.
Tags: starting wall, , Install Ceiling, Install Ceiling Planks, ,