• BUILDING PROJECTS
  • DIY FURNITURE PROJECTS
  • MAKEOVER
  • FINISHING TECHNIQUE
  • STYLE
  • SEASONAL
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

Repurpose Life

Helping You Overcome Your Fear of Power Tools

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT ME
    • MY FAMILY
  • HOME TOUR
  • CONTACT ME
You are here: Home / building project / How to Shiplap a Ceiling

building project

How to Shiplap a Ceiling

I have been working on my current project for what seems like an eternity. I started redoing the two younger boys’ room at the end of August and I am just now seeing the light at the end of the long tunnel. I searched and searched my files and could not find a before-picture. But it wasn’t much to look at anyway. Just picture tan walls, twin beds, a hodge-podge of decorations (tried to go with an outdoor theme, but pretty lame with just a couple pictures on the wall and camping theme bedspreads), and a messy boys room most of the time.

The boys have been begging me for quite a while now to redo their room. Giving me guilt trips of, “You’re always working on other projects around the house, when are you going to do our room???” Then I fell in love with a picture of a boy’s room in my Country Living magazine and I was pumped. Completely on board and excited to start this new project.

The look is a clean, vintage, barnwood decor. I know I’m asking for more stress in my life, by painting their walls white. Am I crazy?? But I have this awesome vision of what it’s going to look like in the end. Even if it looks like that for only a day. At least I’ll still have pictures.

So I completed step one, painting the walls ( I used Behr Marquee, Frost), on the kids’ first day back to school. I relished in the silence and peacefulness of an empty house and then cranked up my talk radio. Yep, that’s my groove-place. 🙂

Sorry for the very low-quality picture…

2014-15 2947

Got it all done in one day and was so excited to start step two, painting my ceiling planks. I like to use underlayment for planking walls, ceilings, etc. It’s cheaper and very easy to work with. And since these were going on the ceiling, I really didn’t want anything heavy. So these worked great!

How to shiplap a ceiling9

I started off by staining both sheets with General Finishes Black Gel Stain. This stuff will stain everything; including your hands! So be sure to wear gloves.

How to shiplap a ceiling8

Then I dry-brushed over the black stain with white paint. It was really a trial and error til I got the look I wanted…

How to shiplap a ceiling7

Once I fell in love with them, I poly’d (polyurethane) each sheet one time. I used a satin poly to give it just a tad bit of shine. You actually could skip this step. I didn’t notice much difference afterwards and it’s not like they’re going to get dirty up on the ceiling.

Next I cut my sheets of underlayment to 4feet by 6inch boards on my table saw. (If you don’t have a table saw, Home Depot will cut your boards for you).

How to shiplap a ceiling6

I was so excited to start step three, actually planking the ceiling. I did a staggered pattern (as you can see by the picture)…

How to shiplap a ceiling5

The shorter boards (not shown) are located at the end of every other row and are 2 feet long; longer ones are 4 feet. To make things a little easier on me, I squeezed caulk on the back of each board. This helped it stick to the ceiling long enough for me to position my nail gun and fire. If you’ve never used a nail gun, please don’t be intimidated by it. My first time planking a wall I thought I would go the “easy” route and just use a hammer and nails. After about 3 nails, I was done. Nail guns are very easy to use and make projects go so much faster. I love my Ridgid battery powered nail gun. It is probably my favorite tool I own.

This was the part I was dreading….

How to shiplap a ceiling4

I had to put my thinking cap on for this one. I ended up using paper the width of my board and tracing the hole through the paper…

How to shiplap a ceiling3

Then I cut out my circle and traced it onto my board…

2014-15 3041

I wasn’t completely convinced this was going to work…it was going a little too smoothly. But I was very pleased, after using my jigsaw to cut out the circle, that it fit almost perfectly with the hole. YAYYYY!!!

After I got over this little bump it was smooth-sailing. Just caulk, stick to ceiling, fire nailgun, repeat. It really is that simple. Love, love, love the finished look…

How to shiplap a ceiling

I’m ready to do this to all my ceilings now…well, that may be a little overboard. But it was really easy and added so much to the room. It actually makes the ceilings feel a little higher. I’m learning some new things with this project and having a lot of fun in the process. Can’t wait to reveal more to you as I go.

So many custom builders are moving away from the simple spanish lace ceilings and actually drawing your eye up, by adding character and dimension.. What is your favorite ceiling treatment? Coffered, barn wood beams, planked, car-siding? Hit Reply and share your favorite or any tips/questions you may have.

UPDATE: I have since finished the boys’ bedroom. Here’s the link to check it out!!

Products in this post have affiliate links to Amazon.

As always, never miss an upcoming post by subscribing to my email list below.

 

Sign up for the RL Newsletter

Never miss a RepurposeLife post and valuable emails containing: DIY Projects, Full Tutorials and Interior Design Tips.

Awesome! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Share this:
Facebookpinterest


6 Comments

« The first quarter-My Story
Uncertainties–My Story »

Comments

  1. Cindy says

    October 7, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    I have been looking for a way to update my ceiling without spending a fortune! This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing your beautiful idea!

    Reply
    • Nicole Nigg says

      October 7, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      That’s awesome! I’m glad this was helpful! I think you’ll find it very easy to do.

      Reply
  2. Tracy Conrad says

    May 14, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    I have read a few places that underlayment doesn’t hold paint and ends up peeling or bubbling. Have you heard this or had this experience?

    Reply
    • Nicole Nigg says

      May 18, 2020 at 8:55 am

      Hi! I’ve used underlayment in several areas of my home and can honestly say, I have never had that problem. It’s a great inexpensive way to get the look of shiplap. Mine has always held up very well. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sheena Castellanos says

    September 17, 2020 at 6:32 am

    Can you tell me what nail size you used? We are starting this on our ceilings very soon and my husband wants to make sure they stay up on the ceiling–haha! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Nigg says

      September 17, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Sure! I typically use 2″ or 2 1/2″ when shiplapping with carsiding. When using underlayment, I use 1 1/2″ nails.
      Hope that helps! Best of luck with the project. I would love to see it when you’re done, if you don’t mind sharing it!! 🙂
      ~Nicole

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi! I’m Nicole

nicole

Through the changes of life and home, God remains the same. I am a mom, wife, blogger, builder, home designer, D.I.Y.er and inspirer.

Search

Come Join the Fun....

pinterestinstagram

Most Popular Posts

2 pups sitting in front of a nightstand next to a bed

Easy How to Build MCM Nightstands Topper

posted in building project

Woman sitting next to 2 newly built nightstands

Easy How to Build a Mid Century Modern Nightstand

posted in building project

Goldendoodle laying on a rug in front of a sliding barn door

A Year in Review-Top 2020 DIY Projects

posted in building project

Front door with Christmas wreath

Oh Christmas Tree! 2020 Christmas Home Tour

posted in seasonal

MCM master bedroom with nightstands

Easy How to Build a Mid Century Modern Platform Bed

posted in DIY Furniture Projects

You might also like

2 pups sitting in front of a nightstand next to a bed

Easy How to Build MCM Nightstands Topper

Woman sitting next to 2 newly built nightstands

Easy How to Build a Mid Century Modern Nightstand

Goldendoodle laying on a rug in front of a sliding barn door

A Year in Review-Top 2020 DIY Projects

fireplace makeover reveal

How to Build a Raised Fireplace Hearth

White chair in the corner of a master bedroom with wood floors

Easy How to Build and Attach Ceiling Beams

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

SIGN UP FOR THE REPURPOSELIFE NEWSLETTER
______________________
Never miss a RepuposeLife post and valuable emails containing: DIY Projects, Full Tutorials, and Interior Design Tips.
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL: