Outdoor Room Ceiling Material Preparation

Like decking and all materials used for outdoor projects, ceiling materials need to be prepared for changes in temperature and moisture and in some cases exposure to the sun.

The ceilings we install in our outdoor rooms are usually white vinyl bead board, grooved Douglas fir, or grooved cedar. While not affected by direct sunlight, a ceiling is subject to temperature swings and changes in humidity so we prepare our wood ceiling materials prior to installation. First, we use a pressure washer and a detergent to clean the wood.

Then, after they dry, we stain each piece, careful to cover the sides as well as the face, followed by a poly coating to seal. Lastly, we install the pieces over OSB which is mounted to the trusses before adding the insulation. The insulation prevents too much heat build up in the warmer months and the stained sides prevent the look of lines created by unstained edges on the wood when the colder air causes the wood to contract.

When finished, the result is a beautiful ceiling that will stay beautiful in your outdoor room!