Repair beadboard ceiling

[ata_drée]

Recently tore down ceiling panels in one of the rooms and discovered that beneath them there was a beadboard ceiling underneath, which is largely in good condition, only needing the removal of peeling paint and repainting.

The problem is that the previous owner of the house who installed the ceiling panels we've now torn down also "routed in" the electricity for the ceiling light and in the process damaged a length of the beadboard to make room for the electrical cable to the lamp.

We have found a new beadboard model we believe matches the old one and are therefore wondering if anyone has experience with replacing panel boards in the middle of the ceiling. We think it should be possible to saw off the part of the beadboard that meets the other boards and still get a fairly seamless look for the ceiling.

Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[VLJ]

I haven't done that exact repair, but I think it looks doable. The hardest part is probably finding a beadboard that fits exactly. Cut both boards and slide a piece of wood underneath that you can nail both the short sides of both the new and old beadboard onto. Maybe also glue the short sides. Then soft caulk and paint. How are you handling the electricity? Surface-mounted or no lamp at all?

 

[ata_drée]

Haven't done exactly that repair, but I think it looks doable. The hardest part is probably finding a beadboard that fits exactly. Cut both boards and slide in a piece of wood underneath that you can nail both the short side of both the new and old beadboard onto. Maybe also glue the short sides. Then flexible sealant and paint.
What are you going to do about the wiring? Surface-mounted or no lamp at all?

Not sure I fully understand your solution here. What is the piece of wood under the boards for? I've read something about new panel boards often having a lower depth than old ones, is it for that reason?

I guess the glue and flexible sealant are to create a nice transition between the old and new board. Good tip, we'll either do that or replace the entire boards that are broken, not just the broken part.

We were thinking of going for surface-mounted wiring. The house is old, so it's still time-period correct.

 

[VLJ]

No, I mean to have something to be able to nail the short ends onto. But sure, replacing the entire board is easier if it fits. You can lay a strip of masonite underneath to get the right depth if there's a difference.

 

[ata_drée]

No, it's to have something to nail the short ends on. But sure, replacing the entire board is easier if it fits. You can lay a strip of masonite underneath to get the right depth if there's a difference.

Aha, I get it now. Great tip, thanks!