Long, room-width wood boards create a peaceful, orderly, and calming feeling.
you might install shiplap on your own with the help of an assistant and some carpentry tools.
Shiplap boards can be ordered from your local home center or lumberyard if not in stock already.
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Warning
Installing shiplap is a two-person job.
Why Install a Shiplap Ceiling?
Shiplapis wood paneling ordinarily used for house exteriors and sheds to give walls or ceilings a rustic look.
Each panel has stair-like cupping seams called rabbets that overlap with the next board.
Shiplap is often used on interior wallsfor decorative purposes.
Aesthetics are also the primary reason for installing shiplap on the ceiling.
Shiplap can cover uppopcornor othertextured ceilingsor ceilings that are stained or chipping.
This decision is typically determined by the condition of the ceiling and by personal preference.
This method requires the shiplap to be oriented perpendicular to the ceiling joists.
Severely distorted joists cannot be covered with shiplap, even if you use furring strips.
Types of Shiplap
This project uses shiplap boards, also called square-edge shiplap or nickel gap shiplap.
However, tongue-and-groove or v-groove boards are other alternatives that give your walls a shiplap appearance.
If your ceiling hascrown molding, remove the molding.
Run thestud finderalong the ceiling, from one side to the adjacent side.
Mark the center of each joist with a pencil mark.
Go to the opposite end (lengthwise) of the ceiling and mark joists on that end.
Repeat for the entire ceiling.
Start the first furring strip at one wall (with a 1/8-inch expansion gap).
End the last strip at the opposite wall, also with a 1/8-inch gap.
Transfer the measurement to the first board.
Be sure to nail into the joists or furring strips, not the hollow drywall between the joists.
Attach this first board with the open end of the rabbet facing toward you.
First, lay the board in place and mark the board.
Remove the board and cut it, then install it.
Measure and Cut Last Shiplap Board
The last board will likely not be the exact width.
So, rip the board down its length to the needed width.
Remember to allow for a 1/8-inch expansion gap.
Attach Last Shiplap Board
Face-nail the last shiplap board in place.
For reference, one 5-inch by 8-feet panel runs about $10 to $12.
A carpenter orgeneral contractorcan help you with installing shiplap on the ceiling.
