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Wood Plank Ceilings

Solid, closed-surface wood ceilings. No gaps, no slats — just continuous wood from wall to wall.

What Is a Wood Plank Ceiling?

A wood plank ceiling is a closed-face ceiling system made from individual wood planks that fit together edge-to-edge. Unlike grille systems with open gaps, plank ceilings create a continuous wood surface. The planks can be solid wood, real wood veneer over a composite core, or engineered wood products.

Plank ceilings hide everything above them — just like a drywall ceiling, but with the beauty of natural wood. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing all run in the plenum above. Access panels get integrated into the plank field for maintenance.

Commercial Applications

  • Executive offices and boardrooms — Wood plank overhead says the room matters. It's the premium ceiling choice for spaces that need to impress.
  • Hotel lobbies and restaurants — Creates a warm, intimate atmosphere even in large spaces.
  • Retail flagships — Brand experience stores use wood plank ceilings as part of the design story.
  • Wineries and tasting rooms — Natural wood fits the environment perfectly. We do a lot of these in Northern California.
  • Religious buildings — Chapels, sanctuaries, and gathering spaces.
  • Libraries — The classic library look. Wood plank ceilings absorb sound and create a quiet, focused atmosphere.

Benefits

  • Continuous surface: A complete wood ceiling with no gaps. Clean, solid, refined.
  • Acoustic options: Perforated or micro-perforated planks with acoustical backing achieve NRC 0.50–0.80. Solid planks reflect sound (NRC 0.05–0.15), so choose based on what the room needs.
  • Species and finish: Same broad selection as grille — oak, walnut, maple, cherry, cedar, fir. Any stain or clear coat.
  • Plank widths: From narrow (2") to wide (8"+). Mix widths for a more rustic, varied look or keep them uniform for modern, clean lines.
  • Concealed fastening: Tongue-and-groove or clip systems hide all fasteners. No visible screws.
  • Maintenance access: Access panels with wood-faced doors blend into the plank field.

Installation

Plank ceilings typically mount to a furring system — wood or metal strips attached to the structure above on threaded rod or direct-attached. Planks clip or nail to the furring. Tongue-and-groove joints lock each plank to the next.

We level the furring grid first — this is the most critical step. Any waviness in the furring shows in the finished ceiling. Laser levels and string lines across the entire room. Then planks go up row by row, with each one checked for tight joints and consistent alignment.

End joints between planks get staggered randomly for a natural look. No two rows should have joints in the same location.

Specs

  • Plank width: 2"–8"+
  • Plank thickness: 3/8"–3/4"
  • Joint type: Tongue-and-groove, shiplap, or clip-on
  • NRC (solid): 0.05–0.15
  • NRC (perforated with backing): 0.50–0.80
  • Fire rating: Class A achievable with fire-retardant-treated wood

Manufacturers

9Wood manufactures plank ceiling profiles in dozens of configurations and can custom-mill planks to any width and thickness. Rulon specializes in precision-machined plank systems with tight tolerances. Armstrong WoodWorks offers standard plank ceiling products at a lower price point for simpler installations.

Get a Quote

Wood plank ceilings are custom work. Tell us the species, finish, and room dimensions and we'll get you a number. Contact us for a free estimate.