Ceiling beams were once a necessary architectural element in the tradition of many peoples. The construction of spacious village houses, domes of temples, theatrical vaults and long covered galleries could not do without them. Today, ceiling beams in the interior are more of a decorative element that reflects a certain style. Often they are multifunctional and practical, but in order for false beams to become a highlight of the design, it is important to follow the recommendations of experts.
Children's bedroom design with wood beams
Decorative beams on the ceiling in the interior
Kitchen design with flowers and decorative beams
Wooden and metal lintels are part of the structure of a roof, ceiling or roof with complex shapes. You cannot do without them in the construction of an attic, a large terrace or an extension. In this case, they carry an important functional load.
The main task when arranging a house with ceiling beams is to give rough logs the most "habitable" look. It is important that the atmosphere of the living room, hallway or recreation area with flights of stairs looks like homely hospitable.
Modern decorative ceiling beams in the interior are similar to wood, although they are produced from composite and polymer materials. Most often they are hollow inside, and this is a good opportunity to hide wiring and piping, fix fixtures or brackets for suspended structures. In this case, they bear more applied load than functional, and false wood in the interior is very important today.
Wooden lintels can adjoin the ceiling, form a separate lattice or be a support for connecting inclined planes, as in the photo of the ceiling with beams of the original design.
Living room design with corner sofa, paintings on the wall and decorative beams
Apartment design with decorative beams
Interior styles where girder structures are most appropriate
Today it is customary to build houses with an aesthetic reference to a certain style, so that they look like the old "family estate", and not like a new unsettled building.
The most popular are buildings in the spirit of Provence, where the floors are made of light wood or covered with whitewash. In a Provence style kitchen, it is appropriate to decorate with garlands of garlic and onions suspended from beams with dry bouquets of lavender and spicy spices.
The natural color of dark wood is used in the style of a mountain lodge chalet from the Swiss Alps. This style is especially relevant in mansard-type buildings with a habitable attic space. And although the ceilings here are the basis of the roof, they are insulated and decorated in all possible ways.
The Japanese style was initially focused on folding houses, since the elements often destroyed the buildings of the poor and wealthy islanders of the easternmost ridge. The beams were easy to erect and disassemble after the tsunami and earthquake. The style has taken root all over the world, and decorative beamed ceilings remain an indispensable feature of a recognizable minimalist interior that pays homage to Japanese culture.
Stretch ceiling with beams in the middle with a chandelier
Bright white design of the combined living room and kitchen with decorative beams
Balcony design in cream color
Loft is a reformatting of non-residential premises for urban housing of a large area. Here metal or concrete floors, open communications, roughly painted or sheathed aluminum corrugated beams are appropriate.
In the classic interior, only well-processed wood is used, carved, varnished or painted. Neat beams on the ceiling in classic or traditional interiors look light and elegant. The color of the wood should match the color of the furniture and joinery.
Another classic option is ceiling beams and floors of the same material against a backdrop of white walls. This solution is often practiced in imitation of retro or country style.
Beam structures are widely used in high-tech style - as a basis for original lighting in a kitchen or living room.
A unique design can be created in decor for any historical style, if the use of decorative beams on the ceiling is constructively justified.
Please note: The owners of some buildings try to hide the structural beam base with suspended or stretch ceilings. This is impractical, since you will have to give up a significant part of the ceiling height. Better to think over their decor, up to fabric upholstery between painted wood beams in the bedroom, or find another option.
Living room design with stretch ceiling and TV
Wooden partitions in the interior of the kitchen
There is no point in hiding marine-style beam structures if the house is designed as a wardroom. They fit perfectly into bungalow, eco and ethno styles.
English-style houses are a lot of natural wood, including ceilings broken into squares with niches. Such a solution will emphasize the sophistication of aristocratic decoration. Old substrates may need to be refurbished and varnished.
Decorative partition in the kitchen
Light kitchen design with brick walls
Bright white kitchen with wooden beams
Imitation of wooden beams
Natural wood today is an expensive pleasure, and massive structures made of natural material are very heavy. They create additional stress on the foundation and walls, there are problems with installation and delivery due to the impressive weight. In addition, high humidity can lead them.
Building materials manufacturers have offered a convenient budget alternative made of polymer materials. Hollow inside false beams are not inferior in design to products made of natural wood, which have to stand for several months to reduce moisture.
Advantages of decorative polymer beams on the ceiling:
- moisture resistance;
- fire resistance;
- attractive price;
- relatively low weight;
- a large selection of textures and shades.
In terms of strength and some other indicators, decorative beams even surpass wood. They have an undeniable advantage - the ability to imitate any type of wood with a natural texture of all kinds of shades. For example, a false wood in wenge color in the interior, in harmony with eco-veneer doors, furniture and laminate of the same luxurious chocolate color with a reddish tint.
Mustard bathroom design
Mustard color room design with wood beams
Leafing through catalogs from manufacturers, it is easy to notice that there are different decorative beams for ceilings:
- with the effect of varnishing and painting;
- with cracks and imitation of aging;
- smooth (sanded) and "rough" processing.
For such products, everything is thought out for the convenience of fastening, and it is difficult to mount natural wood in a hidden way. U-shaped false beams are the best way to hide communications in a bath or sauna, in loft, country-style living quarters or in classic buildings.
L-shaped pseudo-beams are also produced, which fit along the perimeter of the ceiling, the goal is the same - to hide pipes and wires, flaws in the articulation of surfaces. You can also build a rectangular imitation with your own hands to hide defects in the joints of floor slabs in an apartment.
False plasterboard beams are covered with film materials that imitate wood. This design is visually no different from the original, as in the photo.
Natural wood is preferred in houses made from natural environmentally friendly materials. The fact is that when everything in the house is made of wood, it reacts equally to temperature changes or changes in humidity indicators - it “breathes”. If some of the structures are made of non-plastic building materials such as natural wood, an additional load is created, especially during initial shrinkage or during minor seismic factors.
Stone wall in the interior of the living room
Rustic room design
Wooden partitions in the interior
Color selection
Wood with high decorative qualities is considered the most demanded for interior decoration:
- rosewood (wenge);
- nut;
- cherry;
- ebony;
- oak (bleached and stained);
- ash;
When imitation wood cut is used in synthetic counterparts, it is possible to enhance the natural shade or "bleach".
The color of the wooden beams on the ceiling in the interior is matched to the overall design concept.
TABLE (Classic options)
House design with wooden partitions
Corridor design in white
A good example in the photo is a design in a white country house.
Council. When choosing a color, keep in mind that dark wood looks heavier, while white wood is almost weightless.
Colored floors should be in harmony with the basic tone in the interior. Contrasting designs seem to "break up" the space, which is good for spacious rooms with high ceilings.
If the interior design turned out to be costly, but a little nondescript and impersonal, you can transfer all your attention to the upper plane, which will become the "highlight" of the decor, as in the photo.
Decorative beams in the interior of the house
The use of decorative beams for the ceiling
Living room interior with decorative beams
Decor and aesthetics of ceiling structures
There is no point in hiding well-processed wood under the ceilings, it is better to give the interior with beams more importance in the design concept:
- The lintels between columns or pilasters perfectly hold the ceiling structures. To neutralize the shortcomings of the old building, it is better to reorganize the premises using zoning techniques. The decorative beams at the top will help break up a large room into a kitchen block, dining area and reception area, as shown in the photo.
- For a room with a pyramidal or domed ceiling, decorative structures will help to achieve the "open sky" effect if the background is light blue.
- A stretch glossy canvas behind the ceilings will add depth to the space.
- Beam structures with different patterns - herringbone, cage, triangles, hexagons will help you create an inimitable interior.
- Overlappings will serve as the basis for reliable fastening of suspended structures:
- It is easy to hide articulation defects behind the ceiling decor. A sophisticated structure with lintels will hide a leaking ceiling that could not be repaired in the usual way.
- The low ceiling in the kitchen can be effectively beaten with ceiling beams, bar counter and hanging modules and other elements for placing dishes and kitchen utensils. It will look natural, like it used to be in country houses.
- The interior of the attic looks the most organic, where the lintels carry a decorative load. When the room is spacious, the periodicity of the wooden beams lends a certain order and meaning. It is better when all wood decor is of the same shade.
- The uncomplicated design of the ceiling with beams in a country house always looks very practical. This is a lot of additional storage and placement options for kitchen utensils and small items. Around the perimeter, various brooms and bundles, bags and knots, hooks and nails were traditionally hung for temporary and permanent storage of anything.
- Decorative beams in the bedroom are not appropriate in every style. But canopies and other textile decor have long been attached to them. Mirrored ceilings with black lacquered logs in the sleeping room look extravagant and sophisticated.
- Beam lintels are also used to decorate a mini-pool, a spacious bathroom or a bathroom. In this case, false beams made of polymeric materials that imitate wood are recommended. They are not afraid of high humidity, but it is convenient to hide pipes and electrical wiring behind the false wood in the interior. If desired, the inner grooves can be sealed.
- In a teenager's room, the interior with wooden beams can be advantageously decorated with diode tape or garlands. Older students love artificial lighting and flickering lights. Such decor can be a matter of special pride; teenagers willingly demonstrate the original furnishings to their friends.
We offer a video about self-assembly of decorative beams.
Long gone are the days when beams on the ceiling were exclusively in rural houses. In addition, it should be noted that today they perform not only the role of support for the roof, but also a decorative function. It is because of the latter that many people prefer to install decorative beams not only in country houses, but also in city apartments. They will look original and unusual, but only if you beat them correctly. It is about how to beat the beams on the ceiling in an apartment and an old house that we will tell in this article.
To complement the interior, it is absolutely not necessary to redo the roof and undertake expensive repairs, it will be enough to buy decorative beams and install them on the ceiling. There are three types of beams in the specialist shop:
- wooden;
- metal;
- made of polyurethane.
The classic option is wooden ceiling beams. They are made from ash, pine and oak. They can be solid or hollow inside, which will hide various communications.
Previously, the beams were masked, but now designers include them in the interior of various rooms, where they fit organically. It can be:
- living room;
- bedroom;
- cabinet;
- the corridor.
Another original solution will be the zoning of the room. This is especially true for a studio apartment or a country house with large rooms. It is enough to correctly position the beams on the ceiling. If we consider the styles in which wooden decor elements occupy a leading position, then here we can highlight:
- scandinavian;
- rustic;
- country;
- mediterranean.
You can also fix lamps or chandeliers with chains on the beams.
Design features
When planning an interior, it is necessary to pay attention to all the details, even the most insignificant ones. When it comes to beams, there are several options: to beat the entire surface or to decorate it partially by making strict structures. Beams can be laid in a variety of ways, while relying on your taste and discretion, so you should not be limited by the rules.
There are several actual methods of finishing wood beams on the ceiling:
- Brushing. This technology will allow you to highlight the texture of the wood. Craftsmen imitate even traces of the bark beetle. As a result, the beams are transformed beyond recognition, and outwardly it will seem that the residents are in an old house, which is more than 200 years old.
- Fire treatment. This is a technology for artificial aging of wood. This method requires a blowtorch and special brushes.
- Vintage style. You can achieve that the ceiling with load-bearing beams looks like an old one with the help of special paints and varnishes.
- Ethnic style. It is necessary to include in the interior forged items and twine.
- Traditional style. A distinctive feature is simplicity, this is what allows you to create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth.
Some designs involve transitions from ceilings to walls. At the same time, the beams will be able to give a refined European style to the room.
In the old house
Quite often, in country houses that are used during the season (summer), the decoration quickly deteriorates and loses its attractive appearance. This happens especially often in a wooden house, as the wood is exposed to moisture and dampness. To return the beams to a presentable look, you can:
- dismantle old beams and install false polyurethane beams (this material well imitates wood texture);
- decorate the structure with ropes, creating an interior in a marine style;
- hide flaws on the surface with paint or varnish;
- in case of too obvious defects, putty and prime the surface, after which paint should be applied;
- not just paint the beams, but also paint them by hand or using stencils.
There are also several recommendations regarding the style of the interior of the room. For example, the hi-tech style goes well with metallic shades, the conducted wires that do not hide, and simple light bulbs for lighting will add originality. If we talk about country or Provence style, then a whitewashed ceiling against a background of bright beams will be most appropriate.
When painting beams, it is not necessary to give preference to natural (brown) and pastel shades. By choosing bright colors, you can get a bright accent on the ceiling.
Concrete beam masking
Now let's look at the basic methods of how you can beat the beams on the ceiling in the house in different situations.
The option with the installation of LED strips is suitable for a modern style or for a teenager's room.
What if the concrete beam cannot be masked in any way? In this case, you should make a suspended structure of plasterboard or stretch ceiling. A box in the shape of the letter "P" can be made of drywall. Such a box should be fixed directly to the ceiling and adjacent wall. It is not recommended to drill into a beam, as it may lose its technical characteristics.
Moreover, if a concrete beam is vertical, then this disadvantage can be turned into an advantage. For example, make a built-in wardrobe. This will completely hide the existing beam and at the same time create a lot of storage space.
Full or partial disguise
Quite often, the owners decide to completely hide the beams from view, but you can only close the space between the beams by making a ceiling. In this case, the following types of ceilings and materials are used:
- tension;
- plasterboard;
- caisson;
- lining.
The most expensive and sophisticated is the coffered ceiling. In addition to beams, this design provides for the creation of other elements, for example, cells, recesses and cornices. The cassettes can be of any shape:
- polygon;
- rhombus;
- square.
Using partial camouflage, you can hide flaws and defects on the ceiling and at the same time leave beams in the interior of the room.
If your home has ceiling beams, getting rid of them would be the worst solution. After all, it is possible to add a zest to the interior of the room with minimal financial and time costs, just by correctly playing out the existing design features.
Changing the ceiling or how to close the beams
In most old private houses, the ceiling is "decorated" with beams (svolok) - this was such an ancient method of roofing. Moreover, in the most economical and fairly durable way.
However, these open beams had some disadvantages.
At first.
Due to the lack of stiffening ribs and a long limitation period, they sagged.
Secondly.
Not attractive and rude appearance.
Nowadays, many designers decorate ceilings with decorative beams (Decowood) made of high-strength polyurethane with a wood-like finish.
This method, of course, is good and beautiful, because the dummy beams are absolutely even.
With old beams, such a ceiling is simply not possible due to the fact that they are so strongly curved that there is no way to level them and somehow improve them.
Therefore, the best option in this case is to cover the beams with plasterboard.
We need a tool to work.
- Drill with a set of drills.
- Shears for metal for cutting galvanized profiles.
- Wallpaper knife for cutting drywall.
- Level + long ruler rule.
- Ax and chisels for processing beams.
- Screwdriver.
- Painting tool.
You will also need such material.
- Drywall.
- Galvanized profile.
- Straight hanger for profile.
- Self-tapping screws for metal for GK 3.5 × 25 mm,
- 3.5 × 9.5 mm "flea" for the profile, as well as self-tapping screws of different lengths, but already for wood.
What are wood screws for I will tell you below.
- Serpyanka for sealing joints between sheets of drywall.
- Perforated outer corner.
- Expanded polystyrene ceiling plinth.
- Primer.
- Putty (start / finish).
- Water-based paint.
- Spotlights for lighting.
- Mirrors with beveled 150 × 150 mm for decoration.
- Glue "Liquid nails".
The entire course of work on reworking the ceiling will take place in 4 stages.
1. Preparation.
2. Installation of the frame and drywall fixing.
3. Decoration and decoration.
4. Installation of lamps.
Stage one - preparing the ceiling for alteration.
One of the most difficult because beams (svoloki) bent to varying degrees.
This was easily verified by measuring with a tape measure from the floor to the beams at five points in the room (in the corners and in the middle).
The strongest sag was on the middle beam.
Then, when using the rule and level ruler, it turned out that absolutely all beams were initially installed at different levels.
As a result, we get a quiet horror, which in order to fix it, you need to either significantly lower the ceiling, or replace the middle beam with a metal profile (I-beam or channel).
In short, we refused to reduce the ceiling height because we were not part of the building code.
note... that according to the construction rules, the ceiling height in residential premises must be at least 220 cm.
They also refused to replace a wooden beam with a metal one due to the high cost and laboriousness of the replacement process itself. And, it should be noted, not safe!
The solution was found in an elementary optical illusion, i.e. decided to simply divide the ceiling into three parts and make it on three levels.
It was this decision that allowed us to win the size.
If we made the entire ceiling under one level, then it had to be lowered by twenty centimeters, or even more.
Stage two - the device of the frame from the profile for the future ceiling.
Our task is to first make a frame over the middle beam, which has sagged the most.
In order to align the beam and not lose size, you need to carve a place for the profile with an ax and a chisel.
We trim the beam itself a little with an ax.
After the installation of the frame, such a box with a width of 50 cm is obtained.
This is the optimal size, which makes it possible to install spotlights without problem and does not create bulkiness of the entire ceiling.
If you make the width smaller, the lamps won't fit, if you make it wider, it won't look.
note... before facing with plasterboard, electrical wiring must be carried out.
We sew the resulting box with plasterboard.
And already to it at different levels we attach the side profiles for the frames of the other two ceilings.
We also fasten the profile to the walls by level using long self-tapping screws (70-90 mm) for wood.
Council.
If the walls of the house are made of adobe or other soft material, then it is better to drive the screws, which is called "insolent" with a screwdriver.
In general, it turns out that during the preparation and manufacture of the frames, we had to trim almost all the beams with an ax in order to maximize the height of the ceiling.
Council.
The plasterboard ceiling frame strapping should be as thick as possible so that there is no sagging in the future. It is not advisable to save on this!
Code the frame will be completely ready, we attach sheets of drywall to it.
Stage three - finishing the ceiling.
First you need to apply the primer.
note... you can use the primer of any manufacturer.
And not only the soil, but also putty, and paint, etc. The main thing is that all construction chemicals are from one manufacturer.
Then we close the seams between the sheets with a serpyanka and putty (Knauf Fugenfüller).
We putty everything in one layer "starting" and in two layers "finishing".
We grind it thoroughly.
Mode in the desired size ceiling plinth and with the help of putty we attach around the entire perimeter of the ceiling including the central box.
We paint everything with water-based paint.
After drying, we mark the central part of the ceiling for fixing the decor in the form of mirror squares measuring 150 × 150 mm with a facet.
note... We fix the mirrors with Liquid Nails glue.
The fourth stage is the final one. Installation of spotlights.
To do this, we also make the markup so that there is a uniform distance between them.
We drill holes for the lamps.
We check, and only then we stick it in.
Another option for closing the beams, but only the step is not in the middle, but at the beginning of the room.
The order of work is the same as in the first option.
First, a step is made, and then the entire ceiling.
If there is no desire to putty, clean and paint, then there is an easier way.
For example, finishing with polystyrene foam squares 50 × 50 cm.
I once talked about this method of finishing the ceiling in the article "Renovation work in the house."
Using glue "Liquid Nails" or "Dragon", or "Titan" without difference, we attach the new ceiling to the drywall.
It is easily cut with a wallpaper knife under a ruler.
All ceilings were redone and brought a fresh breath to your home.
If you have any questions, ask through the "Contacts" page or through the comments. I will be happy to answer all your questions.
See you in new articles! Respectfully yours Filippov Yuri.
Pay attention to the following articles:
2 thoughts on “Changing the ceiling or how to close the beams”
Finishing squares are indicated as 50cm x 50cm. Is this because of the prevalence, or for some other reason, this size?
These squares initially have such factory dimensions, or rather expanded polystyrene plates, which are made specifically for finishing the ceiling.
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Natural desires push people to seek harmony with nature, and today, more than ever, it is again in fashion to equip their homes in a rustic style. This will play into the hands of those who have old houses, since they are at the peak of popularity today. Some people make special repairs to the ceiling in such a way that decorative beam structures or false beams are present on it. They are present in buildings decorated in country style, eco-style, Victorian, rustic, Scandinavian, as well as high-tech style. But in the latter version, they are not wooden, but, as a rule, are made of metal.
Ceiling beams are not only an important part of the structure, but also an original decorative element.
Decorating ceiling beams
Having stopped the choice on beams of a contrasting color, you can visually delimit the room into zones.
It is impossible to list all the options here, since the methods of decorating beams are very diverse. But with a few examples, it will already be easier to understand what can be done with them so that they do not spoil the appearance of the ceiling, but, on the contrary, are favorably combined with the interior of the room. Designers often decorate beams to visually delineate different areas in a room. For example, even if they are present throughout the house, then it will not be difficult to separate the kitchen from the balcony or from the corridor. To do this, it will only be possible to paint them in different tones (contrasting to the tone of the ceiling), which will be combined with furniture and style in a certain area. They can also be given a different graphic form: some can be rounded, while others can be made in the form of triangles or other shapes.
Even old wooden beams that have lost their appearance can be refurbished and decorated to look like new. With a minimal set of tools and inexpensive materials, you can simulate a rustic style. Beam structures of dark color create coziness and a special warm mood in the house. So what do you need for this?
Back to the table of contents
Tools, material and decorating process:
Wooden beams are durable, functional, and at the same time look very stylish and beautiful.
- sandpaper;
- stairs;
- stain;
- brushes;
- antiseptic;
- sponge;
- rubber gloves;
- stencil;
- enamel;
- First of all, you will need to treat the entire beam structure with an antiseptic.
- Then you need to wait until it is absorbed and completely dry. After that, you can begin to sand them, removing all the roughness and irregularities. It should be noted that it is advisable to do this along the wood fibers.
- When the surface is sanded with a sponge dipped in stain, it is necessary to carefully tint the entire surface of the structure. First, you need to tint on a piece of the same wood. This will help you find the color you want and see how the painted surface will look. To avoid getting your hands dirty, you can wear rubber gloves.
- When everything is dry, you can already start varnishing the beams. This should be done with a soft brush. It is very important that there is no construction dust or debris in the room at this moment, since if their particles fall on the varnished surface, they can spoil the appearance of the beams. It will be impossible to hide such errors after drying.
- After the beams are painted with varnish, you can decorate them with various patterns. To do this, you will need cardboard, from which you will need to make stencils, or they can be purchased at a special store. At the moment they are on sale, and their choice is huge. Then, applying the stencil to the surface of the structure, apply the enamel. The contour of a drawing or pattern can be outlined with a thin brush, dipped in paint of a darker tone.
Beam structures are appropriate in any room, even if they are in the bathroom. Then an excellent option would be to mount small lamps in them around the entire perimeter. Mirror tiles will also look good between them. All this will visually enlarge the room. In the hall, for example, to create an unusual style, you can attach chains to the ceiling beams and hang chandeliers on them, that is, you can endlessly fantasize with beams.
Back to the table of contents
The better to hide the ceiling beams
False beams made of wood are best treated with a special oil composition, which will preserve the structure of the wood and emphasize the natural pattern.
There are situations when the beams need to be made invisible. To achieve this, it is advisable to use drywall. With its help, you can make the ceiling either perfectly flat or multi-level (due to which the beam will become completely invisible). Why drywall? Firstly, it is easy to work with, and secondly, it is inexpensive. Thirdly, it can be painted in any color. But it should be noted that the ceilings will be much lower. Therefore, this method is suitable for rooms where there is a margin of ceiling height. What is needed to level it with drywall and hide the beams?
When buying a wooden house, many people are faced with the problem of the unaesthetic look of the beams on the ceiling. But such a design is inevitable when forming a wooden roof.
At the same time, most do not want to put up with the unaesthetic look of old ceiling structures and tend to sheathe the existing beams. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the most common is drywall finishing.
Plasterboard finishing of structures such as wooden beams is very common today. This is due to the fact that this material has undeniable advantages:
- affordable cost;
- environmental friendliness;
- simple installation, which can be done without any problems with your own hands;
- hiding all the irregularities in the ceiling;
- giving the ceiling more aesthetics and beauty;
- an excellent base for any type of finish.
Closed beams
Covering wood beams with plasterboard trim will be much easier than with plastic or other finishing materials.
The purpose of the beams
To understand how wooden beams can be sheathed with drywall sheets, you must first understand their functional purpose. Otherwise, the main ceiling could be damaged.
Beams in this kind of ceilings have the following purpose:
- support of the ceiling from a possible collapse;
- decorating the surface and giving the room a certain style. Thus, you can create a peasant (authentic) style or beautifully fit the beams into any other design;
- emphasizing the volume of a room with high walls. In such premises, the presence of these devices will add the necessary comfort;
- correction of rooms with low ceilings. In this case, the beams will go over to the walls;
- decoration of attics and under-roof spaces;
- change in the room of its optical perception. You can, for example, visually enlarge the space of the room;
- visual zoning of the room into certain zones: dining room, cooking area, etc.;
- creation of unique and non-standard lighting using built-in lighting devices.
As you can see, such elements of a wooden ceiling have a wide variety of purposes. But if you want to modernize your home and make modern ceiling structures, the beams still have to be closed.
Why disguise
But do not think that the reason for masking the beam elements on the ceiling is only the aesthetic desire of the owner. There may be more compelling reasons here. These include, in particular:
- structural damage and the need to update the ceiling;
- renovation in a modern style;
- insulation of the attic or roof;
- changing the space of the room.
In the process of finishing with plasterboard sheets, it is possible to prevent a collapse of the roof, as well as successfully mask old and unnecessary parts of wooden structures.
Disguise by rules
Any installation work that involves the use of drywall should always be carried out in accordance with the technology and using step-by-step instructions. Beam masking is no exception.
In this case, sheathing is possible in three ways:
- frameless method. It is used in cases where wooden elements are located close enough to each other to install a plasterboard sheet on them without an additional frame;
Frameless way 
Wooden frame
- on a wooden frame. This method is used when there are sufficiently large distances between the beams. Here, an additional crate is made on the ceiling so that one plasterboard sheet can be installed on three wooden elements;
- metal carcass. It can be mounted both on a ceiling surface and on a wooden crate. You should only take into account certain features of wooden ceilings and already proceed from this when covering the surface with a finishing material.
Note! This option is considered the best, since it is more durable than wood.
Metal carcass
Today there are two ways to mask such wooden elements:
- creation of a plasterboard box. In this case, only part of the elements can be masked, while the other can be trimmed to the style of your choice. Such finishing options are quite common today;
- complete finishing of the ceiling with sheets and hiding all unwanted design features. You will end up with a suspended plasterboard ceiling.
The choice of finishing method should be based on the ceiling you have, as well as the condition of the beams themselves.
First stage of finishing
The first stage of installation work will be the assembly of the frame. Consider the option of assembling a metal box.
Note! When choosing a method for completely masking the beams, you should make the ceiling lathing according to the scheme, as for simple finishing of wooden ceiling structures with sheets of drywall.
The frame of the box is erected as follows:
Installation of suspensions
- we assemble the frame in the shape of the letter "P";
- we fasten metal profiles with hangers to the ceiling. Do not use beams as an attachment point, as they can be damaged and bring down the entire ceiling device;
- the minimum indentation that should be done in this situation is approximately 15-20 cm;
- further along the perimeter of the room, without attaching to the walls, we install the profile guides and close them into a single structure;
Crab attachment
- after that we install the jumpers. We cut them from rack-mount profiles and fasten them to the frame with special fasteners - crabs;
- the step of fixing the jumpers is determined by the weight of the ceiling structure, as well as the load that the starting ceiling will experience;
- then with the help of jumpers we lower the plane down and close it with guide profiles, thus forming a box;
- we fix everything with dowels with screws.
The result should be a metal box around the perimeter of the room.
If you need to completely mask all the beams, then we make a crate in a similar way. Make sure that the wooden elements of the starting ceiling do not protrude beyond the boundary of the plane defined by the profiles.
The main thing is that the resulting box or full crate is not attached to the walls. This requirement is based on the fact that wooden ceilings are characterized by a certain mobility that is not visible visually. Such mobility arises from the influence on the wood of temperature changes, as well as humidity. If you make a frame, adhered to the walls, then after a while, cracks may appear on the drywall or the material will simply fall on your head.
The frame assembled by technology will have little mobility. Entering into dissonance with a tree, it will repeat its mobility. Thus, you can minimize the risk of cracks and the drywall suspended structure will serve you for a very long time.
Do not forget that if you are planning to install additional lighting, then the wiring for it is laid at this stage.
It's time to disguise
At the end of the assembly of the frame as a box or full crate, it is necessary to start sheathing it with plasterboard sheets.
It is necessary to sheathe a frame or a box for the same laugh. It's just that in the second case it will take much less time. And here it is fashionable to cope independently, without an assistant.
We fix the sheets as follows:
Screwing in self-tapping screws
- we apply a whole sheet to the frame, placing it in such a way that it lies on three profiles or wooden beams;
- we fix the gypsum board with self-tapping screws. The frequency of their screwing is about 20-25 cm;
- on adjacent sheets, the screw-in step should alternate, creating a "checkerboard" pattern. This, again, will prevent cracks in the material;
- when all the solid sheets have been installed, we mount the pieces. We cut them with a special knife.
If you have assembled a box and want to make a hidden backlight on it, then in the right places the drywall sheet should protrude in relation to the metal profile for the distance necessary to place the lighting fixture. LED strips of various colors are often used here.
After that, it remains only to putty the mounted surface using the standard technology and give it the final appearance.
As you can see, there are several ways to sheathe ceiling beams using drywall. The main thing is to follow exactly the technology of mounting the material on a wooden base and as a result you will get an excellent, even ceiling without cracks.
With the help of drywall sheets, you can even turn an old attic in the country house into a chic and modern room. Believe in yourself and just follow the instructions - the result will be excellent!