Need ideas to cover gap in ceiling

Question

We recently installed a new rectangular vent/fan in place of the square one that was there.  However, we now have a one inch gap  along one side since the shape was different.  Besides maybe installing a decorative moulding around it to cover the gap, I'm looking for other ideas.  Thanks in advance!!

Jonnie Hammon · Answer

Measure, and cut a thin salt of wood, about an inch than then hole. Screw it in, and dimple the screws. Cover with spackle. When it days, sand it, then paint the area. You can tape it, like they do sheet rock, if the dried spackle leaves a noticeable line, but you will have to spackle, and feather it out, to make it disappear. You can use sheet rock instead of wood, if you have any laying around.

Jonnie Hammon · Answer

Sorry, about an inch longer than the hole.

Ksi2360380 · Answer

Some tape to cover that you can spakle over cover the area smootly,let dry,sand then paint

Jennie Herrick · Answer

Since it sounds like you don't want to go the molding route (which would honestly be the simplest fix) you can always take the fan down and patch the drywall and then put the fan back up. If done properly you shouldn't be able to tell that you've had to patch the ceiling at all. Good luck!! 😊👍🏻

Kathy · Answer

Use a plain ceiling medalian ??

Joanie · Answer

I'm with Jennie Herrick, take the fan down and patch the dry wall. It pays to do it right the first time.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I had the same issue.I opted to spackle a,sand and repaint.Any thing else would stand out to much especially on a ceiling.

Pam Walker · Answer

A decorative picture frame from Hobby Lobby cut to fit the measurements of the installed fan & just screw it up around it. Hobby Lobby makes custom frames with a multitude of designs to accommodate any room's decor. :)

Diane Haslett · Answer

I like the picture frame idea.....also use a decorative frame around 'ugly' thermostats

Diane Haslett · Answer

I like the picture frame idea...you can also use a decorative picture frame around ugly heat thermostats

Lindy · Answer

Recommend taking cover of fan off use dry wall patch or similar, sand and touch up paint. At the size it seems the new fan is, a frame could prove problematic.

Tammy Robertson · Answer

You could just repair it with a piece drywall and then paint the repair so it doesn't show the gap anymore..

Tammy Robertson · Answer

You could just repair it with a piece drywall and then paint the repair so it doesn't show the gap anymore..

Patrice · Answer

You would have to buy a whole sheet of dry wall and that would be expensive I suggest you go to a contractor and see if he will sell you a small piece from one of his jobs.

Z · Answer

The absolute best way to fix this is to so a proper patch. Since you changed from a square to a rectangle you should have had to cut some of the drywall away to accommodate the length of the new fan. Hopefully you didn't toss this excess as it will be needed to fill the space left after the install. If you did, HoDe sells smaller pieces you'l need for your repair. 
You're going to need to remove the fan long enough to do this. I'm adding a visual tutorial video below.

Hilda · Answer

You could ues a piece of foam board or even a single large ceiling tile to cover the space. With either you could modge podge with a matching/contrasting fabric or paint to match the ceiling. Just be sure to center the fan unit with which ever you choose. Either would be quicker and easier than repairing with drywall and attempting to match the existing ceiling paint color.

KATHLEEN QUINLAN · Answer

It maybe easier like above, to buy one ceiling tile, use plaster paste in a tube that comes with a spatula tip to smooth, Dry then paint,,,

Val · Answer

Try a picture frame as an accent.

Anita Taylor Salter · Answer

Quarter round or any Molding to frame it

Lynn Curry · Answer

Home Depot sells fancy Medallions, they are plastic, and work great!

Nattie · Answer

If you're poor like me I'd find something that I had already like a ruler and paint it white then glue and wedge it in that space but that's me. I usually have to do with what I got .

Lori Johansen · Answer

Quarter round or small molding/trim.

Anna · Answer

Remove the vent cover. Cut the corner of a ziploc bag and drop a decorating tip into the hole. Put some drywall mud into the bag. Squeeze the mud into the hole. Level the mud out with your finger. DO NOT FILL THE WHOLE DEPTH OF THE CRACK AT ONCE. You will need to wait until the mud dries then put a second and a third layer, letting it dry after each layer. Only put enough mud into the bag for one layer. Remove and wash the tip after each use

Renata · Answer

Personally u should have cut a piece of sheet rock to fill the hole , then cut out what u needed the for the fan and attached the sheet rock to the ceiling. taped and textured to match then install fan. U can still do it by taking the fan down again. But molding would work too.

Cheryl Miller · Answer

You could look for a picture frame that would suit the size and paint to match the room decor. It may need a picture mat under it for a better fit. use your imagination and have fun. Thrift stores can have old pictures that you can repurpose.

Sue Sanders · Answer

I would fill gap with plaster. As it dries it will shrink in a little. After it dries trowel on some more plaster and cut plastering tape the size you need and press lightly over the plaster. Now apply more plaster over the plaster tape with a trowel and smooth out to blend with the ceiling sheet rock. Let dry for several days then sand smooth. Prime and then paint same color as rest of ceiling..

Christine P · Answer

The exact same thing happened to me. I went to Home Depot and bought a small piece of sheet rock, cut it to size, taped it using sheet rock tape, spackled it, sanded it, painted it, and called it a day,

Lisa B. · Answer

A sheet rock patch is the only thing that will give you seemless results. There are some really helpful videos on YouTube and a drywall contractor would be happy to give you a scrap piece of sheet rock.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Hello there,

Add a trim al around fitting. You can buy bendable with double sided tape attached.

Agnes Chrzanowska · Answer

You can use spackle or use drywall

Need ideas to cover gap in ceiling

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Need ideas to cover gap in ceiling

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