Has anyone ever installed ceiling panels or planks on their ceiling???

Question

I want to do this to encapsulate my painted popcorn texture ceiling (YUK!), which due to the age of my home (1928) more than likely has asbestos. I don't want to drop down or suspend the ceiling too much as I don't want to lose much height. Has anyone done this? I love the look of white tiles that look like pressed tin or white laminate which looks like hardwood planks, or beadboard - they would all go well in my bungalow. Do I need to attach furring strips to the ceiling first? It seems like the joists would be hard to find with a stud finder due to the popcorn. I'm extremely handy and know I could do this myself if I get a few questions answered first.

Answer 1

I wish I knew how to put the picture of the ceiling I just put up on my new cook porch. Being in the vinyl siding business, I had alot of white vinyl bead board left over. Normally I used it on porch ceilings for my customers. I liked it so much, I used it for my project.

The vinyl bead board comes in 12 foot lengths so to avoid seams, the span must not exceed that distance. On one job, the ceiling was an arch which the vinyl bead board was great for. as it is flexible and followed the arch.

Vinyl bead board does come in several colors, but can be painted with a good latex paint. If you do decide to use it and want to paint it, I suggest you paint it before you install it. Getting the paint in all of those beadded slots is tough.

In my kitchen, which has a 10 foot by 14 foot ceiling, I want to use that stamped tin effect Lowes is selling. However, they cost $35.00 per 2' x 4' panel. That will cost me over $600.00

Just one other thing. The popcorn ceiling might be a lath and plaster ceiling. In that case, the vinyl could be screwed up into the lath and be very secure. Please remember not to hammer on the ceiling or you will get a shower of plaster.

Edit: The proper name of the beaded board is Beaded Soffit and is available at any vinyl siding supply.

Answer 2

I did this with my place. I had a terrible looking jagged plaster effect on the ceiling and covered it with drywall. For me I installed 1x4 strips, but as the stucco looked like stalacites I had to scrape it off where the strips went. It was plaster and lathe so I used PL Premium and screws to hold it up and just re-drywalled. If you have the blown on stucco c**p that is loose then you should be good to just s***w and glue the furring strips. You really should try and find the 2x4's as it is your ceiling and you don't want it falling on someones head. If you see drywall seams then make sure someone else did'nt already drywall over the plaster (as it is an old  house) as you will need much longer screws and also you are adding even more weight to the ceiling.

Answer 3

try T&G 1x6 x 3/8...lowes carries it.....or i would just rock over the old stuff and slick coat for paint....

lic. gen. contractor