Easy Shiplap Ceiling Installation: Kitchen Transformation
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Revamp your ceiling easily with WOODHAVEN Planks and the Easy Up track clip system – no drywall, no painting, and minimal mess!
Today I am showing you how to install a shiplap ceiling in a kitchen we recently renovated. If you’re looking to add a unique, cozy touch to your home, a shiplap ceiling is the easiest way to do it.
I will break down the steps you need to take to install a shiplap ceiling, as well as discuss the different materials, tools and techniques needed to get the job done. Installing a shiplap ceiling can seem intimidating but with the right tools and some patience, anyone can do it.
As popularized by shows like Fixer Upper with Joanna Gaines, a white kitchen with shiplap has become a hot kitchen design trend and an easy way to elevate the style of any room.
For this project, we partnered with Armstrong Ceilings and used their white Country Classic Planks for our shiplap ceiling. They have several color options below and honestly, any color would look great in a kitchen! These ceiling planks can be purchased online here at Lowes.
What Is Shiplap
Shiplap wood is long and narrow separated by grooves which can be painted, stained or left natural (cutting strips of pine wood is an inexpensive shiplap option).
Shiplap has traditionally been used outdoors and made from wood. Over the years, shiplap ceiling products have evolved to a lighter faux wood product.
These products are durable, easy to install and perfect for indoor ceiling projects.
Here is a kitchen image below when we started to remove the wall and before we removed the ceiling.
As you can see below, the kitchen was typical of a 1970’s kitchen with low ceilings and a wall that boxed off the eating area and living room.
The first part of the kitchen ceiling makeover involved removing the kitchen wall and adding a new load bearing / support beam as we wanted an open kitchen and living room space.
Here is the kitchen with the walls and ceiling removed below.
The walls and ceiling of the two rooms were removed, revealing an attic space which was then transformed into a stunning kitchen and living room with a vaulted ceiling finished in white shiplap.
Shiplap Ceiling Installation Tip
Something to be mindful of if you are installing on a sloped ceiling, the Armstrong Easy Up® Installation System is intended for ceilings with a slope of less than 10 degrees.
HOW TO INSTALL A SHIPLAP CEILING
Materials needed:
- Armstrong Ceilings Country Classic Ceiling Planks
- Armstrong Ceilings Easy Up Track and Clips
Order online and have everything ready for curbside pickup or have it shipped. Depending on your installation method, your tools necessary will vary (see instructions for specific method tools).
Tools you’ll need:
See our Amazon Storefront for our favorite tools and items below
Step 1: Install Ceiling Tracks
The first step of the shiplap ceiling installation is to install your Armstrong Ceilings Easy Up Track System by screwing the tracks to the strapping.
We installed our tracks so they ran in the opposite direction of the strapping.
Normally you would install drywall to the ceiling strapping but in our case, we installed the shiplap ceiling planks.
The blown in insulation is what you see under the strapping.
The ceiling track installation took about 1 hour and was easy to install. The directions are very self explanatory as well.
Recessed Light Tip
If you have recessed lights, you will need to add a track on either side of the light and cut a hole in the shiplap ceiling plank around the light.
Armstrong Ceilings also has a customer service hotline that you can call with questions.
Step 2: Mark Starting Point
The second step of the ceiling installation is to make a chalk line (see image above) to create your straight starting point.
Add your first ceiling plank (we started in the middle of the wall) using the clips to fasten the plank to the track.
Work your way to the end of wall and cut a smaller piece to fit at the end.
Be sure to stagger your ceiling plank seams as shown below.
Step 3: How to Cut Ceiling Plank Recessed Light Holes
The third Step involves cutting around recessed lights or along the edges near the wall.
The process of cutting out the holes for the recessed lights is a little time consuming so depending on how many recessed lights you have, the installation may be quicker.
We used a utility knife and hand saw blade to cut the ceiling planks and staggered the seams to create the shiplap look we were going after.
This tongue and groove ceiling is lightweight and they are fastened to the tracks with a clip.
As you can see above the planks fit into each other (tongue and groove) and the clip slides over the edge of the plank to hold it in place. Easy peasy!
Our ceiling space was about 900 square feet which encompasses both the kitchen and living room.
The entire kitchen shiplap ceiling installation took about 6 hours with two people.
Shiplap Ceiling Ideas
1. Basement
Many are installing shiplap ceiling products over popcorn ceilings in basements or simply to add a farmhouse style to vaulted or cathedral ceilings.
2. White Shiplap Ceiling
If you have been following along on our split level home renovation, the newly vaulted kitchen and living room shiplap ceiling is gorgeous! The white shiplap ceiling planks are stylish, lightweight and can be installed using the Armstrong Easy Up Track Clip System or with adhesive (see instructions for best installation method based on your project).
Shiplap on a ceiling offers a variety of styles depending on the material used. If you are looking for a modern farmhouse look, this is DIY project is for you!
3. Vaulted Shiplap Ceiling
A vaulted shiplap ceiling is a unique and stylish design element that can bring charm to any home.
This type of ceiling features horizontal wood planks that are placed at an angle to create a dramatic v-shaped effect. The result is a beautiful, rustic look that adds character and warmth to any living space while also providing enhanced acoustic benefits for sound absorption.
More Shiplap Ceiling Posts You Will Love
- White vaulted shiplap ceiling at our lake house
- 10 shiplap ideas featuring our pool house ceiling with gray beams and white shiplap
- Basement shiplap accent wall using Woodhaven Planks
- Basement ceiling shiplap installation with Woodhaven Planks
- Shiplap bathroom ceiling in our small bathroom at the lake house (as shown below)
How much does a shiplap ceiling cost?
A shiplap ceiling cost depends on the type of product or material you buy plus installation cost. For a faux wood product like this, you will pay between $4 and $7.50 a square foot plus labor costs to install. You can also save on the labor if you install yourself.
FAQs about Shiplap Ceilings
These ceiling planks would also be great installed over a popcorn ceiling, drywall and even a new construction ceiling. Ceiling planks are also perfect for older homes as you can hide any imperfections in the existing ceiling or wall.
Here is a look below at the final vaulted kitchen remodel (click here) and living room shiplap ceiling and white cabinets.
A wood floor and shiplap kitchen ceiling that ties in with an adjoining living room creates a cohesive feel and helps the rooms flow together.
How to Install a Shiplap Ceiling (Print Tutorial)
Equipment
- chalk line
- utility knife
- Drill
- drywall screws
- hammer
Supply List
- Ceiling tracks
- Shiplap boards & clips
Instructions : Step by Step
Position ceiling tracks
- Screw the ceiling tracks into place. If installing shiplap on an unfinished ceiling, place it going the opposite direction of the strapping.
Find the starting point
- Add a straight line using a chalk line or string to make it easy to position the shiplap evenly.
Add the shiplap panels
- Clip the first row into place, then position the next rows following a staggered pattern. Trim any edge pieces to fit flush against the wall. Continue clipping and adding the shiplap panels until you cover the entire surface.
Make holes for recessed lighting
- Use a hand saw blade and utility knife to cut holes for recessed lighting.
Tips
Take A House Tour
If you would like to see more of this home, click through to this page, split level renovation to see all of the home improvement projects completed.
More Split Level Remodel Posts You Will Love
- Split Level House Tour (before)
- Removing a load bearing wall between kitchen and living room
- Adding a beam to a load bearing wall
- Installing shiplap on vaulted ceiling
- 5×8 bathroom remodel
- Quality Wolf kitchen cabinet review and installation
- Why we love the vinyl plank flooring basement makeover
- why we picked prehung solid core interior doors by Masonite
- Split level exterior remodel before and after
- Split Level Kitchen Remodel before and after
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Armstrong Ceilings. All opinions and words are 100% my own.
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
What brand of flooring do you use?
Are you talking about these floors in this blog post? These are existing floors that we are having refinished to a white/gray finish.
Love it!!!!
Thank you ! We do too!
I live in a traditional split level home with the entrance, kitchen, living room and dining room on the main level. I like the idea of vaulted ceiling in the kitchen and dining room but am concerned about losing attic space. At 1600 sq ft my house does not have enough storage space. Would I lose storage space by installing a vaulted ceiling?
Thank you for your blog. I am on the lookout for anything that would improve my 1962 split-level!
we still had storage on the other half of the house (the hallway/bedrooms/bathroom) end. we only vaulted the kitchen/dining/living room area.
Hello, beautiful renovation! We are trying to figure out what trim color to use. What is the trim paint color that you guys are using in the house? Thank you!!
Hi thank you! We used bright white by Behr