Paneling on ceiling

Diane
by Diane
We are adding onto our home and doing all the work ourselves. (My hubby is a contractor, but we don't want to pay someone to come in and do something that we are capable of doing ourselves.) Has anyone ever used wall paneling as a ceiling covering? If so, what advice do you have? I'd love to see your pics!!!
  16 answers
  • Holly Prim Holly Prim on Nov 19, 2015
    I added beadboard to my basement ceiling. Pulled out the acoustic ceiling tiles and basically made my own tiles with the beadboard that are still removable. I love it. I'll find a pic for you if you are interested in seeing it.
  • Holly Prim Holly Prim on Nov 19, 2015
    Ok sorry, I found a picture of the ceiling in the bedroom, each time I did it a little different. This one is the most "finished" still have finishing work to do on the closet and living room.
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    • Holly Prim Holly Prim on Nov 20, 2015
      Hey gal, I'm in Alabama too and got most of materials from an overstock place. Loading Dock South The 1x4 & 1x6 I got from Lowes and some from Home Depot. It's totally doable if he's handy which it sounds like he is. 😊 Hope you will keep us posted.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 19, 2015
    You may find these sites helpful for ideas. www.wood-paneling.com or www.armstrong.com
  • JoAnn Dibeler JoAnn Dibeler on Nov 20, 2015
    My bedroom/office/sitting room has been unfinished for 3 years now because the friend who was building it for/with me had become permanently disabled. He left me with no electrical wiring and that's one thing I'm just incapable of doing, or learning from internet DIY sites due to not understanding what they are talking about. But I am constantly trying to decide what to do about the ceiling. Wires are already run across it, through rafters; I just don't know what to do since I cannot work with heavy drywall. I don't know if I can hang the frame for suspended ceiling, either. So I'd like to find out if I can put beadboard on the rafters, without drywall first. Or can I install Solarboard (R-Matte Plus-3) first? I'm going to check out Janet's websites.
  • Diane Diane on Nov 20, 2015
    I understand how you feel. From what I understand, you can put paneling or bead board up without an underlayment under it. Ours is the same.....we have the rafters and insulation up. I want to do paneling or bead board because I think it would be more manageable but the hubby doesn't think it will look good.
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Nov 20, 2015
    Paint it and nobody will know. I used cedar once on my up stairs redo. Wasn't to bad in price since we got it all on sale. But each board was like 3" wide and we staggered them.
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    • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Nov 24, 2015
      @Diane I was thinking of the paneling to use and if you don't like paint it. Sorry I didn't make that clear.
  • Ceiling Tiles By Us Ceiling Tiles By Us on Nov 20, 2015
    Hi Diane, you can definitely use wall paneling as a ceiling cover! It actually looks quite beautiful. If you would like, please take a look on our website, we have many photos of customers who used either pvc ceiling tiles, pvc wall covering, or tin metal ceiling tiles as their ceiling décor. Also, we have lightweight Styrofoam ceiling tiles as well as flexible crown molding. These are all very affordable, easy and DIY. The website store is http://www.ceilingtilesbyus.com/store/ . We are also running a black Friday, cyber Monday special. Take 10% off your entire order with code BLKFRI or CYBMON. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email ceilingtilesbyus@bellsouth.net or call 1-800-349-5799. Please also see our gallery of photos sent in from our customers via our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CeilingTilesByUs/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums . Hope this helps and good luck!
  • Dawn Dawn on Nov 20, 2015
    I wish I had pictures to share! My sister lives in a 1950's farm house! They put bead board paneling on top of the rafters, therefore the rafters can be seen. Anyway, she painted it all white, including the rafters that show and it is absolutely gorgeous!
  • JOHNNY JOHNNY on Nov 20, 2015
    Yes, but not traditional paneling. used veneer and made false beams on ceilings. I must ask, why do you want to put paneling on the ceiling, vs' just finishing the drywall, and texturing it. Again, I assume you are placing the paneling over drywall as per code.
    • JoAnn Dibeler JoAnn Dibeler on Nov 22, 2015
      @JOHNNY In my case, I am 70 years old and my husband is 80. Even working together we cannot handle heavy drywall, especially overhead. Nobody to help us, either.
  • Diane Diane on Nov 20, 2015
    I do not have drywall or anything up at this point. At this point, as I stated earlier, it is just rafters and insulation. My hubby is a contractor and we are doing all of the work ourselves. Drywall is unmanageable and I really love the look of putting paneling up. Is "code" the same in all 50 states??
  • BSP2786530 BSP2786530 on Nov 21, 2015
    I've seen pallet wood and beaded board panelling done. Google it to see pictures. The beaded board give a coastal cottage look that is pretty cool. Obviously, pallet wood would be a more rustic look.
  • Change of Art Change of Art on Nov 21, 2015
    Yes, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! In the addition, I used Douglas Fir for a very warm, rosy look. I was really picky about the final appearance – so, I bought way more boards than the job called for. Then, I used up the not-as-pretty boards on the basement walls in place of drywall. Painted a creamy white, it's a timeless look – still looking good after 15+ years. Not sure why, but I swear it makes the room look larger... Also used wood tongue and groove in the master bedroom (painted white). Much more interesting than plain old drywall!
  • Change of Art Change of Art on Nov 21, 2015
    P.S. I get tired of things pretty quickly (lost count of the number of times I've painted the kitchen), but I've loved these ceilings since day one. They look as fresh as the day they were completed........I'm moving soon, and I plan to do it again in my new little place.
  • Jennifer Crompton Jennifer Crompton on Nov 22, 2015
    Headboard paneling painted white would look great
  • JOHNNY JOHNNY on Nov 22, 2015
    1/2" drywall weighs about 50-60 lbs / sheet, if the 2 of you can lift it up, they do rent a machine that lifts the drywall up and holds it to the ceiling, approx. cost $50/wk. so you can screw it up, other wise it sounds like you will need to get some help from ? ( church, a couple of youngsters in the neighborhood, son-in laws, hell 2 of those people w/ sign that say they will work for food) hanging drywall is not easy on the ceiling even for the young. But you do need to have it for building code, and fire ordinance, plus insurance, insulation & sound. Considerations depending on your area, my guess a contractor will charge $10/ sheet, plus screws, done in one day.
  • CK CK on Nov 24, 2015
    I've not done it myself but am considering using it in our laundry room to give it a more "old world" look....and frankly to avoid the drywall dust ;-) I think using wall paneling will look fine. Depending on the look you're going for, you could always paint it just like you'd do if you were using drywall :-)