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Paint Home Decorating Design Dilemma

Finish for Tongue and Groove Ceiling

5 years ago

I’m getting ready to install a tongue and groove ceiling- it will be painted white. I will also paint my interior doors the same white. Currently all of my trim is painted SW Pure White in semi gloss (I personally would have preferred a satin but the sales rep really pushed the gloss instead) Anways, now im kind of stuck because I’m worried the Semi floss may be too shiny for a ceiling but I also want It to match once the semi gloss crown moulding is next to it? What finish do people typically choose for a ceiling or interior doors? Im Probably over thinking the whole thing but this remodel is what I’ll be stuck with for MANY years to come, so I want to be sure I love it!

Featured Answer

tatts

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Don't forget--the wood must be painted on all 6 sides to avoid cupping and bowing during changes of humidity and seasons. The board will absorb more moisture on an unpainted surface than on a painted one. That means painting each board fully before installation.

I would never use boards with knots in such an exposed location. Use only clear-grain stock.

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Comments (9)

Holly Stockley
5 years ago
Ceilings are usually flat BUT T&G can look lovely and clean and reflect lots of light if it's a bit glossier:
houssaon
5 years ago
I prefer satin finish on trim, too. Usually flat on the ceiling. In this case, I would use satin. A step down in reflection from the trim.

In the photo below, builder says the ceiling is flat, but I question it because of the reflection. The walls are satin.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/40th-street-traditional-staircase-raleigh-phvw-vp~413902
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I don't think that running the floor a different direction in the sunroom would look strange at all, especially given that you have a natural transition point in the french doors. The hardwood in my house changes direction between the living room and the rest of the house and the transition gives definition to the space. I would do the transition with a single board the width of the door jamb with the turned boards slotting into the groove in the threshold piece. I happen to like the look of a turned board underneath a door where the two rooms aren't a continuing space, such as a bathroom door. My house also has a wood floor continuing from the living room into the sunroom (no door) and over 80+ years, the house has settled slightly and there is a slight slant to one board over the transition between basement and crawl space If the subfloor construction is sufficient that direction isn't an issue, I would think the hardwood would go across the width of the room, perpendicular to the ceiling. But, that's just my opinion and worth what you paid for it!
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eer2099
Original Author
5 years ago
What about the semi gloss on the doors? Also, I’m thinking ill sand the boards first and then use an oil based kiltz as the t&g primer, will that do a good enough job at hiding the knots, etc?
eer2099
Original Author
5 years ago
I do plan to paint every side before installation, i know it will be a pain but I’ve seen MANY people recommend it. Currrently I’m debating on the best way to cut the joints (which I’ll also have to finish before hanging) I’ve seen many different suggestions and I’m really not sure which would be best.
paintguy22
5 years ago
Satin or semi-gloss is really a matter of personal preference, but most people choose satin. If you are worried that the semi-gloss will be too shiny, then I don't see why you can't use satin on just the ceiling. You don't really need to sand the wood before priming because the primer will raise the grain and it will need to be sanded then anyway. BIN is a better primer for knots than Kilz because it is shellac based.
schoolhouse_gw
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I wish I had painted the sides of my bead board ceiling boards. However, I'm wondering, do you mean actually paint the entire board before installation? What about nail holes afterwards? they would need to be filled, sanded down and then repainted, but I guess it wouldn't be such a big deal. In fact I'm betting the entire ceiling would have to be painted again due to smudges and such from the work of the installers.

ETA: that is a good point about sanding before priming. I did that, and now I see I could have saved myself a lot of work if I hadn't.
eer2099
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for your help everyone, I think ive narrowed things down enough to at least get the sanding/priming/ filling part done and then when the time comes I’ll play around with the joints and see which cuts would look best.
homechef59
5 years ago
I've got a whole house filled with wood paneled ceilings and shiplap throughout. We painted the trim semi-gloss and the walls and ceilings in satin.

I prefer the semi-gloss for trim for a practical reason. It takes the wear and tear better. And, it cleans up better.

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