MDF tongue-and-groove planks are a sophisticated and affordable way to add detail to your walls and ceilings

Maybe you have an interesting new room that calls out for more than a plain-Jane drywall ceiling. Or perhaps you’ve got crumbling old plaster that you’re not up to the task of patching but can’t bear to cover with a drop ceiling. Armstrong’s WoodHaven ceiling planks might be just what you’re looking for. And you don’t have to stop at the ceiling–these prefinished tongue-and-groove boards work just as well as wainscoting or full wall paneling. Included clips make them ease to attach to existing framing, or buy the optional track system for a flawless and flat ceiling installation.

Product breakdown

• Comes in several common wood finishes plus white
• Water-resistant MDF construction makes planks suitable for bathrooms and other damp locations
• Planks made from 95% recycled content
• $109 for a 29 sq.ft. carton

www.armstrong.com

White is always a classic

I haven’t yet seen the WoodHaven planks in person, but the high-resolution photos I’ve got show an array of wood finishes that are pretty darned believable. That being said, the three different solid-white options are a great choice if you’re planning on a painted surface. The beveled-edge planks come in either a smooth or wood-textured option, and there’s even a white beadboard model if you prefer more of a vintage look.

Remodelers will like WoodHaven the most

Though these planks may appeal to builders of new homes, my guess is that their biggest fans will be folks dealing with crooked old walls, failing plaster, and any other difficult-to-deal-with  wall or ceiling in older homes. With a little shimming before installation, I’m sure you could get the wonkiest of walls to look new again. And at less than $4/sq.ft., prefinished WoodHaven planks seem like a refreshing alternative to scraping, sanding, and painting, or any of the other messy, time-consuming means of reviving old interior surfaces.

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