Install a Tongue & Groove on a Porch Ceiling
Tongue and groove ceiling planks are a popular choice for porch ceilings because of their ease of installation, stability and looks. The lines in the ceiling break up the surface and give it a classic, slightly rustic appearance. In terms of installation, the concept is the same as with a tongue and groove floor, except the planks are much lighter and tend to be wider (since strength isn't an issue). Start with bare ceiling joists, which are the horizontal support beams running parallel across the ceiling span.
Instructions
1. Run your chalk snap line along the length of the ceiling, perpendicular to the joists, putting a line 1/4 inch out from the wall. The line should be visible on the edge of each joist. This will be your expansion gap (to allow for movement of the wood). Trim will later cover it.
2. Measure the width of the porch (in the direction of the joists) and divide by the width of a board, to make sure you don't end up with a space of less than 2 inches wide for the last course, which looks bad. If so, cut your first piece lengthwise on your table saw to split the difference. (Example: If your boards are 6 , and your measurement shows you're going to have a 2-inch space for the final course, slice 2 inches off your first course. Both your first and last courses will be 4 inches wide.
3. Measure the length of the ceiling from end to end, crossing the joists. Transfer the measurement to a ceiling plank. Cut the plank on your miter saw. Length-cut it on your table saw to the width determined in Step 2, if necessary.
4. Set the plank on the ceiling, along the line that you snapped earlier, with the grooved side facing the wall (or the cut sit, if you length-cut it). Secure the piece by sinking two nails with your trim nailer through the face of the board at each point where it crosses a joist.
5. Cut your next plank to size. Press the groove side of the plank against the exposed tongue side of the first board, locking them tightly together. At each point where the second board crosses a joist, shoot in a nail through the side, just above the tongue, at an angle.
6. Repeat the process for each of the boards, working your way across the ceiling. Cut the final piece lengthwise on saw, if necessary, to fit in the remaining space. Face-nail it as you did the first board.
7. Measure, cut and nail in ceiling trim to cover the perimeter of the planking.
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