Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Apply Tongueandgroove Boards To A Ceiling

Installing a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling involves accurate measuring and cutting, but it can be accomplished by the average do-it-yourself homeowner. Choose high-grade lumber and make sure you use sharp blades for the circular saw and jigsaw.


Instructions


1. Determine the direction on the ceiling for the tongue-and-groove material and measure that length. The direction is usually perpendicular to the ceiling joists.


2. Measure and cut enough 1/2-inch plywood to cover the ceiling. Get exact measurements around existing light fixtures and cut these areas with a jigsaw.


3. Secure the 1/2-inch plywood to the ceiling with 1 1/2-inch drywall screws on 8-inch centers. Countersink the screw heads so they will not interfere with the tongue-and-groove material.


4. Measure out from the corner of the wall that is parallel to the tongue-and-groove material and make a mark at 4 inches. Repeat this in the corner where the rows of the tongue-and-groove material will end. Pop a chalk line from the first mark to the second on the plywood.


5. Measure the distance from the wall to the chalk line to determine the width of the first row (use the shortest width). This is where you may need to cut the first piece so that the rest of the material will be square with the room.


6. Drill pilot holes for the 6d finish nails along the edge of the tongue-and-groove material that fits next to the wall. Countersink the nail heads.








7. Cut different lengths of the material so that no two pieces end at the same place. Secure the second and next-to-last rows by driving the 6d finish nails at an angle toward the underside of the piece you are installing. The nail also needs to be low enough to allow the pieces to fit tightly. Repeat this process until you have covered the ceiling; install the last row as you did the first one.

Tags: tongue-and-groove material, 2-inch plywood, chalk line, finish nails, material that