How To Build Coffered Ceiling Beams

While there are several different ways to build coffered ceilings the easiest is to build a length of boxes at the same time.

How to build coffered ceiling beams.

Install the other main beam the same way. Get started with nailers. One myth about coffered ceilings is that the network of beams that create them has to be attached to a continuous solid frame bolted to the joists. We have 9 ceilings on the main floor and the recesses area in this ceiling extends above that 9 so we had a lot to work with here.

The grid can either start along the perimeter wall or be inset from the perimeter wall as shown in the ceiling plan on the left. Contributor chris beidel owner of pernt a handmade furniture company in brooklyn new york walks you through this ceiling beautification project. Each recessed square area in the coffered ceiling grid should be the same dimension. The bigger the room and the higher the ceiling the wider and deeper the beams.

By adding a coffered or box beam ceiling made of softwood lumber you can make an often overlooked area the focal point of your room. Use shims to make the joints flush as needed nailing through them and into the ceiling at every joist. How to build a coffered ceiling with box beams built of plywood and mdf these beams go up quickly resist movement take paint well and even level a wavy ceiling. Open areas might be nice but they can seem cavernous without a way to differentiate the space.

Attach one of the beams lengthwise across the ceiling flush against the wall. This room had a coffered ceiling that i had to work with. In rooms with 8 or 9 foot ceilings beams that are about 5 inches wide and 3 inches or so deep are typical. Scribe and cut the main beams the same way you did for the perimeter crossbeams in steps 6 and 7.

The width and depth of decorative beams should be proportional to the size of the room. This is the same technique used on all three of my box beam ceilings if you remember the kitchen and living room updates too. Cut widths of beam according to your measurements to build the other sides of the boxes. Given this construction coffered ceilings work best in rooms with high.

Make a ceiling plan and layout the coffer grid. The width and height of the box beams also has to be uniform. Instead of spending days building an elaborate grid of framing i attach the beams faux beams actually to u shaped supports glued and nailed strategically and intermittently to the ceiling plane as shown in the drawing.