Why and How to install a Wooden Ceiling

Home interiors have received a lot of attention during the Covid pandemic as many of us had to stay in lockdown, or at best limiting our movements out of home. Hence, many refurbished their interiors and the ceiling didn’t get forgotten. 

But why wood? And what materials are to be used and how to install such a ceiling? We give you a few pointers


Hotel Titik Dua, with Kaltimber reclaimed wood ceiling

Wooden false ceiling: the warmest!

The wooden ceiling is a natural and healthy ceiling that can be personalized.

The wooden false ceiling gives the room a comfortable, soft and warm atmosphere: nothing can replace the natural warmth of wooden paneling.

The wooden ceiling can be declined in a wide variety of colors and possible essences: fir, oak, exotic woods...

All finishes are possible: waxed, oiled, varnished, painted, stained...

OP Villa in Bali by Kadecons 

Moreover, this type false ceiling possesses many advantages:

  • Easy to install: Nailed on rafters using nail gun only, glued on any existing sub-structure (such as plywood), screw on I-beams…there are plenty of ways to install them and none are complicated nor require highly qualified installers.

  • Acoustics: wood is a naturally porous material that behave as an acoustic absorbent.

  • Thermal isolation: wood is a natural insulator and its use can help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a space.

  • Financial: using reclaim hardwood will add financial value to your space if you plan on reselling your building, house, office or other space using upper interior surface decorations.

  • Sustainable: when using reclaim wood you can be broad if its eco-friendliness and the history it carries. It is easy to reuse it down the line thus reducing new costs.

*Design: a wood ceiling will bring both warmth and elegance. As a natural and classy material it will never go out of style.

Project with Kaltimber ceiling by Faraj achmad mahfud

Materials of the wooden false ceiling

A wooden false ceiling is made up of:

  • wooden cleats: they constitute the grid which will support the wooden slats,

held by hangers, or fixed, glued or nailed to a sub-floor or joists,

Place the wooden false ceiling on a frame of cleats

False wooden ceilings can be:

  • suspended: they are then hung on a frame of cleats,

  • fixed or stapled: directly on the joists of a wooden floor.

The laying of wood paneling on cleats is widespread, because it makes it possible to:

  • slide under insulation,

  • very easily camouflage a damaged or irregular ceiling without preventing it from breathing.

The wooden cleats are either glued to the ceiling (on plasterboard) or pegged or nailed (in joists for example):

  • the cleats are placed perpendicular to the direction of the paneling and spaced 40 to 60 cm apart,

  • to ensure circulation of air under the paneling, fix the cleats offset.

Kaltimber project “The Barn” by architect Alexis Dornier