- 1). Use an electronic studfinder to locate the ceiling joists. Draw lines entirely across the ceiling with your level and pencil to show where each joist is located.
- 2). Measure the length of the ceiling along the starting wall, which must be perpendicular to the marked joists. Transfer the measurement to one of your ceiling planks. Set the plank on your miter saw to cut it to size.
- 3). Hold the cut board to the ceiling, with the grooved side of the tongue-and-groove milling facing the starting wall. Leave a 1/2-inch gap from the edge of the plank to the wall, which will give the wood room to expand with climate changes. (The gap will be covered by ceiling trim later.) Install the board by shooting two nails through the face at each intersection with a joist.
- 4). Cut the next board to size and lock it against the edge of the first one, by the tongue-and-groove milling. Attach the piece by shooting nails at an angle through the side at each intersection with a joist.
- 5). Install the rest of the boards the same way. For the final piece, cut it length-wise on a table saw so there's a 1/2-inch gap left at the wall.
- 6). Install trim around the edges of the ceiling to cover the 1/2-inch gap.
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