Tools and Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Plank Ceiling?

A kitchen with a light brown faux wood plank ceiling and recessed and hanging lights.

The do-it-yourself plank ceiling installation detailed in this project is estimated to cost less than $1000, depending on the specific product you use.

However, there are factors that can raise or lower that cost. Here are a couple of major considerations that affect the cost of installing a plank ceiling.

DIY or Professional Installation: The cost of professional labor will increase the project cost. When considering a DIY project, think about the time it’ll take you to complete the project and how long the installation area may be unusable. You may enjoy doing the work yourself or you may find the extra cost a good investment for the time and effort you save.
Product Cost and Room Size: The cost will vary widely based on the price per square foot of the planks and the room size. Multiply the price per square foot by the square footage of the ceiling and then add 10% to account for waste and trimming. Add to this base cost the other materials (adhesive, grid track and clips, trim, paint, etc.) and any tools you’ll need to purchase. Keep in mind that material and tool cost can also vary by location.

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Does a Wood Plank Ceiling Make a Room Look Smaller?

A wood plank ceiling can make a room look and feel smaller, depending on the height of your ceilings and how you finish the planks.

A dark wood slat ceiling in a room with an 8-foot ceiling will make the room look a bit smaller and cozier. If you want to minimize this feeling, light-colored walls, furnishings and flooring can help. Choosing a lighter finish for the ceiling can help as well.

If you have a 9-foot ceiling, there’s less of a concern with the plank ceiling making the space feel small, but the same tips apply — keep the rest of the room light for a more open feel.

Can You Put Wood Flooring On the Ceiling?

It may be possible to install some types of lightweight wood flooring on a ceiling. However, it’s not recommended by the manufacturer in most cases. Keep in mind, since this isn’t the application the flooring is designed for, it will likely void the warranty.

You’ll need to plan for plank weight and installing the planks securely. You’ll also need to plan for moisture levels and the expansion and contraction of the wood. If you’re considering this project, contact the flooring manufacturer for specific considerations or suggestions.

As an alternative, consider installing faux wood ceiling panels as explained below. The products are designed for ceilings, so installation will be simpler and it’ll be easier to get manufacturer support if you have any questions or need help.

Installing a Plank Ceiling

To cover an existing ceiling, you can install a faux wood ceiling with tracks, or adhere the planks directly to the ceiling. A track system requires no ceiling prep work and is better for covering damaged ceilings. Using adhesive requires a sound, flat substrate. You may need to scrape off a heavy texture for the adhesive to work.

Tip

When purchasing ceiling tile planks, plan to purchase 10 percent more than the surface you’ll cover to allow for cuts and test pieces.

Preparing for a Track Installation

A person using a blue and black Kobalt drill to install ceiling track on a white popcorn ceiling.

Install the track following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you want to install planks parallel to the joists, install the track perpendicular to the direction of the joists. To make the planks run perpendicular to the joists, attach the track along the length of each joist.

For tracks that run across the joists, screw the first track to a joist 2 inches away from the wall. Install the remaining tracks spaced 12 inches apart and screwed to the ceiling each place it crosses a chalk line.

If you’re installing the track in the same direction as the joists, secure the track along the length of each joist.

Preparing for an Adhesive Installation

If the existing ceiling is flat and smooth, go to the next section. If you have an acoustical spray texture, sometimes called a popcorn ceiling texture, you may need to remove the majority of that texture for the adhesive to bond. If your home was built between 1950 and the early 1980s, have the surface tested for asbestos before proceeding.

Good to Know

To find an accredited testing lab, search online for the “National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program” or go to www.nist.gov/nvlap/ and search for an accredited lab. They can point you to an agency that is trained to test the surface properly.

Center the Pattern on the Ceiling

To center the pattern on the ceiling, trim planks to equal widths for the outside row. To do that, first drop the 13 from 13.667 leaving you 0.667 inch, then add 1 to get 1.667. Divide 1.667 by 2, which equals 0.833. Multiply the exposed plank width of 6 inches by .833 to get 5 inches. With a straight edge and a utility knife, cut the first row of planks to 5 inches wide, cutting off the tongue side of the plank.

Good to Know

When cutting the planks, lightly score them first with a sharp utility knife. Make a second pass slightly deeper, then make a third pass cutting most of the way through the plank. Now break the tile at the cut line.

Installing Planks on a Track System

For the final row, cut the planks 1/2 inch narrower than the remaining space. This row should be about the width of the first row of planks. Before installing the planks, add the clips to the tracks and press them against the wall.

Fit the plank into position and engage the edge tongue. Use a small pry bar to press the clips into the edges of the final row of plank. Clips only need to engage the plank about 1/8-inch.

Installing Planks Using Adhesive

A person using a caulk gun to apply adhesive to the back of a ceiling plank.

Using adhesive eliminates the need for tracks. For our project with 6-5/8 inch-wide planks, we needed seven tubes of adhesive for each box of planks. Each 10-oz tube of adhesive should be enough to install three of these planks, depending on the amount applied to each plank.

Cut the first row of planks to the determined width (5 inches) by trimming on the tongue side of each plank. Then cut off the tongue from the end that will go against the wall. Apply adhesive to the back of the trimmed plank in a wavy pattern — a 1/4-inch-diameter bead will be sufficient for lightly textured surfaces.

Good to Know

Increase the adhesive bead size for heavily textured surfaces. A 5/16-inch bead will require about 25 percent more adhesive and a 3/8-inch bead 50 percent more. As a test, apply a bead and install a plank. Immediately remove it. If there are even amounts of adhesive on both surfaces, the bead is sufficient. If not, apply a larger bead.

DIY Plank Ceiling Installation

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Plank Ceiling?

Does a Wood Plank Ceiling Make a Room Look Smaller?

Can You Put Wood Flooring On the Ceiling?

Installing a Plank Ceiling

Preparing for a Track Installation

Preparing for an Adhesive Installation

Center the Pattern on the Ceiling

Installing Planks on a Track System

Installing Planks Using Adhesive

Install Trim Around the Ceiling

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