Top 10 Wood Ceiling Mistakes
Top 10 Wood Ceiling Mistakes
In this post, we are going to talk about the Top 10 Wood Ceiling Mistakes, and how to avoid them.
1) No Expansion Joints
Long ceilings require expansion joints. Without gaps between the walls and ceiling, the planks could buckle on hot humid days.
This gap allows the ceiling to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. After installation, these expansion joints can easily be hidden with trim.
2) Laying Wood Planks the Wrong Way Down
As wood ages, the grain has a tendency to flatten out. If the wood planks are installed with the bark side facing out, the plank edges will be free to rise.
When installing wood ceilings, the outer wood grain (The Bark Side) should be set to lay against the stringers. Doing this avoids unsightly cupping and gaping. You would be surprised how many professionals don’t know this!
3) Not Using Stringers
Not using stringers has many pitfalls. Here are just a few;
- Need to find and hit hidden studs when fastening planking
- Fasteners may not penetrate deep enough through thick plaster or drywall
- You can only run planks perpendicular to the ceiling joists
- If your ceiling joists are not perfectly in-line (Few are) your wood ceiling will be wavy
All of these problems can be avoided by using stringers on your wood ceiling projects. Stringers are plainly visible, making installation easier. When attaching stringers, use shims for a nice level surface.
4) Not Allowing Ceiling Plank Material Time to Adjust
Wood takes a long time to react to the surrounding temperature and humidity. Failing to wait could result in unwanted gaps between planks.
Immediately store our Enhanced Ceiling Products© (ECP©) in the room they will be installed in. Allow about a week for materials to adjust to room temperature and humidity.
5) Painting/Staining Wood Ceiling After Installation
We do NOT recommend painting or staining your new wood ceiling after installation. Unfinished sections of the planks could be exposed during normal seasonal contraction.
Additionally, unfinished areas will make the planks more susceptible to shrinking, and warping.
Besides, it is much easier to finish wood ceiling planks on the ground, and with less mess.
6) Using the Wrong Type of Wood
Using a type of wood that over-reacts to Southwest Florida’s temperature and humidity extremes is a bad idea. Excessive expansion, and flexing could produce unsightly gaping and buckling issues.
Cypress is our wood ceiling material of choice for Southwest Florida. Its ability to stand up to the high temperatures and humidity make Cypress a smart choice.
We can help you make the best decision when choosing your new tongue and groove ceiling. Call now!
7) No Gap Around Light Fixtures
Failing to cut a gap around light fixtures could result in the light fixture becoming dislodged. A gap allows for expansion and contraction in the wood ceiling planks.
When cutting in holes for light fixtures, it is best to leave a ½ inch gap around them. The light fixture’s trim ring should cover this gap with no extra trim work required.
8) Buying Wood Ceiling Planks from a Hardware Store
Defective planks, shipping damage, mismatched inventory, and inferior materials await the home warehouse shopper. Multiple trips to exchange these materials create project delays and frustration.
National chain stores carry products coming in from all over the globe. The likelihood of these products being well suited to our unique weather conditions is a gamble at best.
9) Not Using End-Matched Planks
Not using end match planks makes the use of additional joints, face nailing, or the use of joints on framing necessary. This can add time and expense to your wood ceiling project.
Using end-matched planks protects against shrinkage, cupping, humidity, and other harsh weather effects. The end result is a perfectly flush ceiling on all four side of each plank.
10) Not Buying Your Tongue and Groove Wood Ceiling from Us!
Buying your wood ceiling materials from “the other guys” could lead to future hardships. No one wants their new wood ceiling to be a source of embarrassment!
By following this guide, and using the ECP© Wood Ceiling material will eliminate all of the most common problems.
Let’s Get Started Today!
Quickly improve your home’s value and beauty. Call us today to learn more about our Enhanced Ceiling Products© and Customer Financing.
