ArcaMax

The ceiling, which some designers say is the fifth wall of a room, can be the center of attention. When the ceiling is made of laminate wood planks, also called panels, it can be a striking addition and transform an ordinary room to extraordinary. A wood plank ceiling can add a charming contrast in a stark contemporary setting, or complete the look in a country-style room.

Today’s plank ceiling systems are designed for a do-it-yourselfer to install. The system includes random length tongue-and-groove planks that you secure onto wood furring strips or in a metal track designed to suspend them.

A carpenter will charge $1,381, which includes labor and material, to hang a plank laminate ceiling system on a drywall ceiling on furring strips in a 15-by-18-foot room. A handy homeowner can buy the materials for $800 and do the job, saving 42%. The materials include furring strips or a metal track, planks, and clips and screws used to hold the planks in position. To do the job you'll need a measuring tape, a chalk line and a power or hand saw to cut the planks to length. Use a cordless screwdriver to fasten the system in place. You’ll also need two ladders, one for the installer and another for a helper.

Go to the Residential Ceiling section of the manufacturer, Armstrong, and watch video instructions in “Project Ideas and Installation” at https://www.armstrongceilings.com/residential/en-us/ to see the installation process. At the “Related Documents” prompt you can print out the installation manual and get an idea of what’s involved. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions to plan the location of the furring strips or track, whichever system you choose.

Pro Cost:$1,381 — DIY Cost: $800 — Pro time: 8.8
DIY Time: 17.5 — DIY Savings: $581 — Percent Saved: 42%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2024 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.