FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Bead board parallel to joists

| Posted in Construction Techniques on July 27, 2005 08:02am

The wife wants to run the bead board parallel to the ceiling joists in our new kitchen.  I have to agree it feels more natual the way the rooms are laid out.  I did a search but couldn’t find anything in the archives although I’m sure this has been discussed.

I know the technique for accomplishing this starts with running strips perpendicular to the joists to nail the bead board to.  My question is what material should be used here?  I’m thinking it should be more sturdy than mason’s lath (obviously) but don’t know if this should be as thick as a 1x.  The cost really isn’t the issue here as the space isn’t that big, I just want to do it cleanly so there is no sagging.  Also, I’d appreciate hearing about anything non-obvious that I might run into here.

Secondly, the recessed cans are already in place expecting 1/2″ drywall.  I will ask the electrician about how to accomodate this assuming we have 1/2″ bead board + x” furring strips but any input on what is required would be appreciated as well.  I’m not sure if I need to lower the cans and attach to the furring strips or whether the trim kits will handle the greater depth.

Thanks in advance,

Jonathan

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. gregb | Jul 27, 2005 08:41pm | #1

    You can either strap the ceiling with 1"x3" furring strips, or sheathe it with 1/2" ply, & then install the beadboard. As far as the cans, they should have enough adjustment to accomodate the added thickness of either the ply, or strapping, or be simple enough to drop a bit.

    You may also want to check if having (just) a wood ceiling meets code. Around here, we need 5/8" drywall installed under the wood.

  2. gdavis62 | Jul 27, 2005 08:43pm | #2

    Strapping the ceiling is common in your parts.  Most regular Breaktimers from New England will say that they use 1x3 pine on 16" centers run perpendicular to truss chords (ceilings with roof over) and floor joists (ceilings with rooms above), and that they do it all the time.

    It stiffens up the floor or roof system above, and it gives you the opportunity, through shimming, to get your ceiling base just about perfectly flat.

    Take a real close look at your can units.  You will probably see an adjustment feature, a screw or screws that, when loosened, allows the can to be raised or lowered.  There may be enough adjustment to accommodate your strapping depth.

    Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY

     

     

  3. User avater
    AdamGreisz | Jul 28, 2005 12:38am | #3

    If height is an issue it is usually possible to install blocks in between the ceiling joists, then add the drywall (if necessary to meet fire code) and beadboard.

    Your can lights can probably accommodate adding 1/2- 3/4" of furring or sheetrock.

    Wood is Good

    Adam Greisz

    Owen Roberts Group

    10634 East Riverside Drive # 100

    Bothell, WA 98011

    http://www.owenrobertsgroup.com

    1. MojoPlenty | Jul 28, 2005 05:54am | #4

      Thanks for the replies.  Height is not an issue in this case.  I hadn't thought of plywood but I think 1x3's will be a little easier to work with.  Thanks again!

      1. calvin | Jul 28, 2005 02:16pm | #5

        Check the location and width of lath catchers along the paralell (to joists) walls and soffits so you don't have any surprises installing the strapping.  Creative fastening may be necessary.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

  4. maverick | Jul 28, 2005 03:07pm | #6

    You need to put up fire code sheetrock and 1 coat of tape. then 1x3 firring will work just fine. I would glue and space the firring 12" o.c.

    If you are before the drywall stage its a snap to lower the cans.  You dont want the bulb to have direct contact with the beadboard under the light trim flange. I dont know how many cans you have but you might want to consider swapping them for the "old work" variety.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Making mitered head casings is a breeze with this simple system.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Guest Suite With a Garden House
  • Podcast Episode 688: Obstructed Ridge Vent, Buying Fixer-Uppers, and Flashing Ledgers
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding the Right Fixer-Upper
  • Keeping It Cottage-Sized

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data