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We just installed a 1×6 T&G pine ceiling in our greatroom. My painter says don’t finish it, my carpenter says it should be sealed. I was always taught to finish both side of a piece of wood which I can’t now that the wood is up.
What should I do, seal it or not?
I’m in the desert southwest and the ceiling is in conditioned space and there is no vapor barrier between the ceiling and the blown-in insulated, TJI joisted roof.
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Andrew, the best way is to finish the material prior to putting up the ceiling. That not being an option, I'd leave it to age naturally. Most of the old, old buildings will have unfinished wood beams, and ceilings if comprised of wood as the upstairs subflooring. 5/4 or 6/4 rough sawn typical.
*AndrewI don't live anywhere like your climate zone but I doubt it makes a difference. I would, and have, finished T&G pine cathedral ceilings with insul above with 3-4 coats of a good quality satin Urethane. The lack of a finish on the otherside made no noticeable difference. You'll like the end result!!By the by, would you pre finish the underside of a t&g floor????-pm
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I've finished a few similar pine ceilings with Varathane Natural Oil. It is a light oil that doesn't build up with light applications. It penetrates and seals, qualities you'll appreciate if you use wood heat or gas for cooking and want to wash your ceiling in a few years. Properly seasoned and installed your ceiling won't go anywhere, so don't fret about not having painted the back.
This painting the back thing bugs me. In exterior applications where there is high humidity or exposure to moisture,or in a bath room or even around a sink or humid kitchen, back 'sealing" (as opposed to back priming), is important. But in properly installed interior applications of stain grade trim to be clear finished, I've never seen problems with raw back wood. In these cases back priming is a waste of time and money.
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We just installed a 1x6 T&G pine ceiling in our greatroom. My painter says don't finish it, my carpenter says it should be sealed. I was always taught to finish both side of a piece of wood which I can't now that the wood is up.
What should I do, seal it or not?
I'm in the desert southwest and the ceiling is in conditioned space and there is no vapor barrier between the ceiling and the blown-in insulated, TJI joisted roof.