The Ultimate Guide to Wood Ceilings and Walls

Why Specify Wood?

Wood brings warmth that no other ceiling material matches. In lobbies, restaurants, worship spaces, corporate offices, and higher-ed buildings, a wood ceiling makes a statement. It signals quality. Occupants respond to natural materials differently than they respond to mineral fiber tiles — there's actual research backing this up (biophilic design principles).

Beyond aesthetics, wood ceilings deliver real acoustic performance when designed correctly. Open-slat systems combined with acoustic backing materials can hit NRC 0.60–0.85, which rivals or beats many standard ceiling tiles.

Wood Ceiling Types

Grille Ceilings

Parallel wood members (typically 1"×1" to 1"×4") mounted perpendicular to carrier channels. The gaps between members allow sound to pass through to acoustic material above. Clean, linear look with excellent acoustic potential. See our wood grille ceiling products.

Plank Ceilings

Solid or veneered wood planks installed in a running pattern. Can be tongue-and-groove, clip-mounted, or suspended from a carrier system. Tighter look than grilles. Acoustic performance depends on perforations or micro-perforations in the plank face. See our wood plank ceiling products.

Panel Ceilings

Larger wood panels (typically 2'×2' or 2'×4') that drop into a suspension system similar to standard acoustical grid. Faster installation than plank or grille. Some are perforated for acoustic performance.

Wood Baffles

Vertical wood fins suspended from the structure. Dramatic visual effect. Good acoustic performance because both sides of the baffle are exposed to sound. See our wood baffle products and baffle guide.

Wood Wall Systems

Same materials and manufacturers, applied to walls. Slatted wood over acoustic felt is the most popular configuration. See wood grille wall panels and wood plank wall panels.

Major Manufacturers: 9Wood, Rulon, Armstrong

9Wood

Based in Springfield, Oregon. The largest dedicated wood ceiling manufacturer in North America. Their product line includes grille, plank, panel, and tile systems. Known for manufacturing flexibility — they'll customize dimensions, species, and finish to nearly any specification. Lead times typically 6–10 weeks for standard products, longer for custom.

Rulon International

Based in St. Augustine, Florida. Specializes in linear wood ceilings and walls. Strong reputation in high-end architectural projects. Their systems tend toward larger, more custom installations. Rulon is often specified for signature spaces — lobbies, atriums, performance halls.

Armstrong WoodWorks

Armstrong's wood ceiling division. Offers grille, plank, and panel systems. Advantage: leverages Armstrong's distribution network, so availability and support infrastructure are strong. The product line isn't as deep as 9Wood's, but covers the most common configurations well.

We've installed all three. For a detailed comparison of 9Wood and Rulon, read our 9Wood vs Rulon comparison and the in-depth blog post.

Wood Species and Finishes

Species choice affects color, grain, cost, and sustainability certification:

White Oak: The most popular species in commercial wood ceilings right now. Beautiful grain, takes stain well, FSC-certified options available.
Red Oak: More affordable than white oak. Stronger grain pattern. Common in education and government projects.
Maple: Fine, consistent grain. Light color. Common in healthcare and corporate environments.
Walnut: Rich dark color. Premium price. Statement material for executive spaces and hospitality.
Douglas Fir: Western species with distinctive grain. Popular in Pacific Northwest projects and biophilic designs.
Cherry: Warm reddish tone that deepens over time. Mid-to-premium price point.

Finishes range from clear polyurethane to custom stains to factory-applied paint. Most manufacturers offer prefinished systems that arrive ready to install — no on-site finishing needed.

Acoustic Performance

Wood itself reflects sound — it doesn't absorb it. The acoustic performance of a wood ceiling comes from what's behind and between the wood:

Open grille systems: Sound passes through gaps to acoustic blanket above. NRC 0.60–0.85 depending on gap ratio and backing thickness.
Perforated planks/panels: Micro-perforations (tiny holes drilled in the face) allow sound through to acoustic fleece behind. NRC 0.50–0.75.
Solid planks: Minimal absorption (NRC 0.10–0.20). Use these only when acoustics are handled elsewhere.

For context on these numbers, read our NRC and CAC ratings guide.

Fire Code and Flame Spread

Wood in commercial buildings triggers fire code scrutiny. Most jurisdictions require a Class A (flame spread ≤ 25) or Class B (flame spread ≤ 75) rating for ceiling materials. Untreated wood won't make Class A. Solutions:

Fire-retardant treatment (FRT): Pressure-treated wood meets Class A. Most common approach. Adds cost and lead time.
Sprinkler exemptions: Fully sprinklered buildings may allow Class B or C ceiling materials. Check your local code.
Non-combustible backing: Some assemblies use fire-rated backing above the wood to meet code.

See our fire rating guide and fire-rated assembly guide for code details.

Installation Process

Wood ceiling installation is more complex than standard acoustical grid and tile. Key differences:

Heavier: Wood weighs more per square foot. Hanger wire gauge and spacing requirements are tighter.
More pieces: A grille ceiling has individual wood members that need to be installed one at a time. It's slower than dropping tiles.
Acclimation: Wood needs to acclimate to building temperature and humidity before installation. Typically 48-72 hours on site.
Coordination: Above-ceiling access after installation is limited. All MEP rough-in must be complete and inspected.

Read our wood ceiling installation guide for the full walkthrough.

Costs

Wood ceilings are premium products with premium pricing:

Wood grille: $15–$35/SF installed, depending on species and spacing
Wood plank: $18–$40/SF installed, depending on species and system
Wood panel: $20–$45/SF installed
Wood baffles: $25–$50/SF installed

Compare to $3–$8/SF for standard acoustical tile and $10–$20/SF for metal ceilings. Wood is 3–8× the cost of standard ceiling. It's specified when aesthetics justify the investment. For broader cost context, see our commercial ceiling cost guide and wood vs metal comparison.

Maintenance

Factory-finished wood ceilings are low-maintenance. Dust with compressed air or a dry cloth periodically. The finish protects against moisture and staining. In humid environments, ensure HVAC maintains reasonable humidity levels — wood moves with moisture content.

Damaged sections can usually be replaced individually without disturbing the entire ceiling. Scratches on finished wood can often be touched up on site.

Wood vs Metal vs Acoustical Tile

Every project budget conversation involves comparing wood against other options:

Wood vs metal: Both are architectural ceiling materials. Metal is more durable, easier to clean, and handles moisture better. Wood is warmer visually. Read the full comparison.
Wood vs acoustical tile: Different leagues. Acoustical tile is functional infrastructure. Wood is a design feature. Many projects combine both — wood in the lobby, tiles in the back office.