Installing Bead Board on a Ceiling
I am preparing to order 3 1/4 x 16′ MDF bead board for a guest bedroom ceiling. I need some advise on the proper substrate.
Having installed MDF, Poplar and Vinyl in the past, in this application the existing ceiling is textured (like cottage cheese) plaster over button board. it is very rough and it can not be scraped. They must have blown this on like gunnite. Having dealt with this before, I was planning to cover the existing ceiling with 1/2 drywall, mud and then glue the MDF strips to the newly finished ceiling. It seems like a lot of work for something you will not see.
Last night it dawned on me that I might be able to use 1/2 plywood as a substrate instead. Would this work? I thought I would toss the idea to the group as this would be far less time consuming and messy. What am I missing here?
Dean
Replies
How about 1/4 " ply ( I'm guessing you just want to smooth out the pocorn texture) and just nail the (shudder) MDF to the ceiling joists? I'd break the ply between joists, with adhesive at the joints. Cross nail into the pop/rock, then nail up the beadboard.
EliphIno!
Thanks for the advise on the 1/4 inch. I will need to catch the joists either way (1/4 or 1/2). It would be easier in the arms.
And yes I knew I would catch some flack on the MDF, but here in So Cal with low humidity levels (back primed) it has been a good performer.
The ply will work fine. If you nail it securely you won't have to worry about finding joists when you put up the beadboard. You might want to use staples instead of nails. I usually staple at a strong angle through the top of the tongue (like you would hardwood flooring). The staples hold better with two legs instead of one and are less likely to pull through than nails.
Edited 2/28/2003 1:11:26 AM ET by Clay