The Affordable and Stylish Way to Update Outdated Ceilings
When thinking about how to design a room, don’t overlook the “fifth wall” – the ceiling. Whether it’s low or tall, flat or vaulted, the ceiling serves as a major feature of every room and can draw just as much attention as any wall. Because ceilings either reflect or absorb a large amount of light, updating the color or design can have a dramatic effect on the look and feel of a room.
Granted, remodeling a ceiling can be a bit of a chore, so it can be tempting to skip over when updating a room. However, ignoring this important feature can leave you stuck with boring plain drywall, ugly water stains or outdated popcorn ceilings. On the other hand, covering a ceiling with the right materials can breathe new life into a room, even if you don’t remodel any of the other walls.
One of the most dramatic ways you can remodel a ceiling is with wood. Wood is a popular choice of material because of the warmth and richness it brings to an interior.
Interested in seeing how? Here are some ceiling design ideas and why faux wood ceiling panels are the affordable way to make it happen.
Wood Ceiling Design Ideas
Thanks to its array of styles and colors, wood is a versatile material that can provide you with many different design options. Choosing the right wood “look” for a ceiling can alter the dimensions of the space to look larger or smaller, change the mood of a room or strengthen a chosen theme or a style.
Dark natural colors with knots provide a sense of the outdoors reminiscent of a cozy cabin or rustic lodge.
Light toned woods keep a room bright and airy, fitting for either a cheerful farmhouse or a clean industrial-chic loft.
Wood with a warm, rich natural finish looks welcoming and comforting, making it a great fit for a living room or kitchen.
Dark grays give a weathered style that can evoke either western country or Downeast coastal – depending on how the rest of the room is designed.
Beadboard can be used for more than just wainscot. Covering your ceiling in this style provides a unique look and texture.
Installation Options for Your Wood Ceiling
If you’re interested in installing a wood ceiling, you have a few different options available for types of materials:
Reclaimed wood is an environmentally friendly way to achieve a classic look, though sourcing the materials can be expensive due to the work needed to process it.
Plywood is a more inexpensive option but requires additional work to finish correctly, otherwise it will look “cheap” and poor quality.
Tongue and groove wood panels are designed to provide a neat, tight fit and require less cutting and measuring than other wood options. Real wood still risks warping due to moisture, which can disrupt the fit of the panels.
Faux wood ceiling panels have a similar interlocking design to tongue and groove and are made to lighter and more durable than actual wood, without the risk of warping
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Things to consider before starting your design and installation:
- Where can you source the material?
Certain styles may not be available from local providers or may be prohibitively expensive. If you need to ship the materials, consider the shipping options and requirements. - How high is the ceiling?
Ceilings are a challenge due their height and the awkwardness of working on them. For DIY projects you’ll want to ensure that you have a sturdy ladder and observe all safety measures. Having assistance from a partner can help the project go faster and save you some extra work. - How heavy are the materials?
Heavier materials will be more cumbersome to work with and will require extra care when attaching to the ceiling. When direct applying or “surface mounting” your materials you’ll need to consider if you’re using screws, adhesive or both to guarantee a secure attachment. - How much material will you need?
To ensure that you get the right amount of material for your project, you should take a few measurements to determine the necessary square footage.
Pro Tip: Use our Material Needs Calculator to get an estimate of the number of panels you’ll need. Or contact one of our design specialists for assistance.
Determining Faux Ceiling Panel Costs
Our faux ceiling panels are 2’ x 4’ and can be easily cut to fit your ceiling. Below is a sample of our pricing:
- 1–24 panels = $89.95/per panel
- 25–149 panels = $85.95/per panel
For 150+ panels, please contact us for a custom quote.
Fast, Easy Installation
Our products are designed with DIY enthusiasts in mind, so there’s no need for professional installation or high-tech tools. Using tools found in nearly every household toolbox, you can finish your faux ceiling in a matter of hours. See how easy installation is.
Tips for Ceiling Installation:
- If replacing a drop ceiling, ensure that all materials are removed before attaching faux ceiling panels.
- For best, most secure results use both adhesive and screws to attach panels to ceiling.
- Use a stud finder to locate ceiling joists for the most secure screw attachments.
- If you can’t screw directly to joists, consider using toggle lock anchors to attach your screws to the ceiling.
Even More Texture Options for Your Ceiling Design
One of the advantages of choosing to use faux ceiling panels is that you have an even wider array of options for your ceiling design. Textures and materials that would be extremely difficult to use – such as brick or stone – can be installed as faux ceiling panels to provide a look that will be truly unique.
If you’re interested in exploring these other exciting looks, including even more exotic materials like bamboo and sheet metal, review the available options on our site.
If you’re interested in trying out some different looks, you’re welcome to order your free samples of our faux wall and ceiling panels.
Installing a new look for your ceiling can be a lot of work but is well worth the effort. If you have additional questions about how our faux wall panels can be a great fit for your new ceiling design, contact us.
