With their waffled look, coffered ceilings add to the depth and style of any room. While they can be difficult to install, if you take your time and follow the directions, you can construct them yourself.
Tools and Materials
- Frame beams (in the chosen length and depth)
- Saw
- Nails
- Shadow line beams (in the chosen length and depth)
- Wood glue
- Crown molding
Step 1 - Sizing Beams
The general rule is, the larger the room, the bigger the beams. Generally speaking, the beams that look the best will be between 5 and 6 inches deep and 5 and 6 inches wide. When deciding the size of the beams you will use, also take into consideration any crown molding and the height of the ceiling.
Step 2 - Layout Grid
When constructing your coffered ceilings, you will be dealing with a lot of wood and several different measurements. In order to keep them all straight, make a layout grid and choose one spot to make note of all of the different measurements you will be using. When planning out your coffered ceilings, keep in mind that they will need to be attached to the ceiling joists for extra strength and support.
Step 3 - Frame the Boxes
While there are several different ways to build coffered ceilings, the easiest way is by ldquo;buildingrdquo; a length of boxes at the same time. Place and attach one of the beams lengthwise across the ceiling, flush against the wall. Next, cut widths of beam according to your measurements to make the other sides of the boxes.
These widths, often referred to as cripple studs, will look like railway ties. Once cut, nail the cripple studs to the side of the length beam according to your measurements. Next, attach another length beam to the cripple studs. Once done, this should give you your first set of boxes. Continue until you reach the opposite wall. Once done, you will have the basis for your coffered ceiling.
Step 4 - Shadow Lines
If you want to spruce up the look of your ceiling, then you can add a shadow line to each box that you have created. A shadow line adds an illusion of further depth to your ceiling, accentuating the coffered ceiling. These shadow lines will be applied directly on the boxes you have created in step 3. 1 x 1 shadow lines create a nice look, but you may want to go with a slightly larger width, depending on the size of the beams you used.
Cut four pieces of 1 X 1, two the same length as one of the boxes, and two the same width as one of the boxes.nbsp;Attach the shadow lines directly to the box with wood glue, forming a rectangle. Repeat for each of the boxes on the ceiling.
Step 5 - Crown Molding
Measure the inside of one of your ceiling boxes. Use these measurements as a guide to cut out the crown molding for each box. While you can put the crown molding piece by piece directly on the ceiling, it is easier to assemble each crown molding box before installation. Using wood glue, assemble your first crown molding box. Set it into the coffered ceiling box, making sure that it is the right size. If it is, use as a model for the rest of the boxes. Secure each of the crown molding boxes with finish nails in each corner.nbsp;
