RIGHT MATERIAL FOR OUR OFFGRID CEILING

When chosing a material for the offgrid ceiling, many factors had to be considered. The number one priority was that one person would be doing the installation, so the material had to be managable.

We looked at all of the local home improvement stores and priced several different materials. Checked out the availablity of the materials.

We wanted something that was not too heavy to lift but would go up quick and easy.... Well, that was not going to happen.

Since we made our rafters 24" on center nothing was going to be applied to the ceiling joists without putting up strapping 16" on center across the rafters. Ron and I had many discussions about this until he convinced me this needed to be done. If this was not done, the ceiling would eventually bow.

After struggling with the strapping on ladders, up and down repeatedly, I got really tired and very little work was getting done for a huge amount of effort.

I bought a small set of staging that was on wheels to install the offgrid ceiling. It extends 6' wide and 6' high and the wheels lock in place. It is very easy to move around and goes over top of the furniture that we have in the house. Perfect for the ceiling job.

I tacked up the straping with the small pneumatic staple gun first to hold it to the rafters. Then I went back with the framing nailer to nail the strapping to the rafters. I did this because holding the nail gun over my head was wearing me out.

A tongue and groove 4" wide slats were chosen for the offgrid ceiling, which were stained and urethaned before installing.

At first I was trying to put up the planks which were 8' long to sister 4' long planks because that was my understanding from a discussion with Ron.

Needless to say the planks came down each morning for the next three days until I understood how it was to be done via several more discussions with Ron. Okay, so tongue and groove is much more managable at 5' lengths or less. I cut the slats varying lengths to meet the strapping and staggared the planks.

I did not have enough insight or knowledge to create a pattern with the lengths of slats, so they don't go in a zig zag or diamond pattern. Ron didn't say anything until I had some up already. Trust me, they were not coming down again. They were nailed up with a finish nailer and I was extremely grateful to get something done.

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