Coffered Ceiling Design

Ceilings that are set with rectangular, square or octagonal shaped panels, are usually enhanced with decorative motifs, elegant trims, and pendants - referred to as coffered ceilings. These ceilings can be designed taking into consideration the room size/type, and taste of the customer. The overall design comprises a number of cross-beams and beams, that lay atop flat paneled fillings.

The benefits are quite simple, one - it reduces the occurrence of sound reflected off walls resulting in overlapping audio, by canceling this very effect in a room full of people (echo) or a room that has audio equipment like say a home theater system, musical instruments or movie screening gear.

It works for a well spaced-out room, especially if a group of people are conversing, or if like I said, sound is produced through other means.

These ceilings will be noticed frequently in conference rooms, churches, large homes and rooms meant for audio equipment. It allows noise to stay clear, and crisp to the ear, without inviting the overlapping of audio waves from the lack of desired surfaces to help it stay clean.

These ceilings offer you the advantage of having a room that has the ability to help keep sound waves gentle, decipherable and friendly to one's ears.

The second benefit is that they're a great addition to bring depth into a room, even if what you have placed within it is simple. It can turn any kind of room into a work of art, given the fact that coffered ceilings come in a variety of designs, colors, and makes to keep up with what's in style and what is of course appropriate for your room.

Even for those who wish to go back in time to something more old-fashioned, companies are ready to breathe life into such designs for those with not so contemporary tastes.

Company websites like crowncustomhomeremodeling and classiccoffers, offer customers unbeatable options when it comes to choosing a coffer ceiling design and plan, that is well within your budget and in accordance to your taste.

The most expensive wood used when putting together this ceiling, is cherry. A cost-effective option would be to opt for painted drywall coffer panels, and stained beams as opposed to an all wood structure.

The standard rates for a coffer ceiling installation job, runs anywhere from $15 to $29/sq ft. depending on the type of wood, the design intricacies and how much work is put in while installing the entire ceiling. Other wood options that you can consider are maple, oak or poplar.

For simple coffer options, the cost greatly decreases, where even labor costs need to be separately evaluated to conclude on a final price.

Like most other products found in the market, you can also select a coffered ceiling design that matches your taste. If simple lattice designs are not what you are looking for, you can enhance it with touches of embellishment. Moldings, beams and wood can also be selected according to the space available in the room.

Among the molding options available, you can select ornamental molding or something that is smooth and streamlined. The wood selection can be made taking into consideration a glossy, varnished, or rough, rustic look. If you want light to shine through your coffered ceilings, you can choose wall scones, lamps or even cove lighting.

Yes, you can design and install your own coffered ceiling, here is how:

• First measure the length and width of the ceiling you plan to work on. Once that is done, decide on the type of wood you want, or go with the alternative materials previously mentioned.

• Next, take a sheet of graph paper and designate a square inch spaced-out box along the graph to represent the surface area of your ceiling.

• Once that is done, use the square to calculate how many beams you will want to run down the width and length of your ceiling.
• Now draw the beams on the graph paper ensuring that each square is even. Also ensure that you have taken into account the width of the beams when drawing your measurements.

• Once you have followed all the above steps, make note of how much material you will need, to pull off this installation. Things you need to take into consideration - the length of each beam, materials/paints needed, tool required, a trusty how-to-do manual and so on.

• You are now ready to begin. Make the beams using 4 pieces of wood, one for the bottom, another for the top, and vertical two sides. When you begin, use just 3 pieces of wood to create an open U-shaped box. Leave out one part of the box for now.
• Using the graph paper for guidance, make enough U-shaped beams to complete the coffered ceiling.

• That done, chalk out your ceiling to ensure that the lines are straight. Now, follow the chalk lines and glue the tops of your U-shaped boxes to the ceiling. Then attach them securely using 6-inch wood screws affixed to the ceiling joists.

• Now attach the bottom to the U-shaped boxes; use glue and 6-inch wood screws to do that.
• With the beams in place, now you can proceed with installing your ceiling tile.

Tip: Attach fancy molding to the bottom and top of the beams to create an elegant, finished look. Ask a professional for help, if you find yourself unsure about how to go about this task.