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Published 2026-02-11 · 10 min read

Wood Ceiling Installation: Types, Costs, and Maintenance

What you need to know about putting real wood overhead in a commercial space.

Nothing else looks like a wood ceiling. It adds warmth and character that metal, mineral fiber, and drywall just can't match. Modern wood ceiling systems from 9Wood, Rulon, and Armstrong have made it more practical than ever for commercial projects. Here's what's involved.

Types of Wood Ceiling Systems

Linear Wood Planks

The most popular option. Individual planks — 2" to 8" wide — installed side by side. Tongue-and-groove interlocking, clip attachment, or direct fastening. Works in straight runs, diagonal, herringbone, or custom patterns.

Wood Grille (Open Cell)

Evenly spaced wood members with gaps between them. Light passes through. Paint the plenum above dark and you get great depth and contrast. With absorptive material above the grille, these are both good-looking and acoustically effective.

Wood Panels

Larger panels (2'×2', 2'×4', custom) for standard or specialty grids. Flat, curved, or perforated. Fastest way to cover a big area in wood.

Beams and Trusses

Decorative beams for architectural character. Solid wood, engineered wood, or lightweight hollow-core lookalikes that weigh a fraction of real timber.

Custom

CNC routing, steam bending, advanced fabrication. Curved surfaces, undulating profiles, integrated lighting channels. If you can draw it, somebody can build it.

Wood Species

  • White Oak: Durable, versatile. Works with any finish. Mid to high cost. Probably the most-specified species.
  • Red Oak: Warmer tone, more affordable. Prominent grain.
  • Maple: Light, clean, fine grain. Popular for modern interiors.
  • Walnut: Rich and dark. Premium cost. Executive spaces and high-end hospitality.
  • Cherry: Warm reddish-brown that deepens over time.
  • Douglas Fir: Tight grain, moderate cost. Pacific Northwest look.
  • Cedar: Aromatic, insect-resistant, light. Good for outdoor/covered ceilings.
  • Reclaimed: Salvaged from old buildings. Each piece is unique. Most sustainable option. Higher cost for sourcing and processing.
  • Bamboo: Technically a grass. Fast-growing (sustainable), hard, available in various colors.

Costs

Materials and labor, per square foot:

  • Basic planks (pine, poplar): $8-12/SF
  • Mid-range (oak, maple): $12-18/SF
  • Premium (walnut, custom stain): $18-30/SF
  • Grille/open cell: $15-25/SF
  • Panels (grid-based): $10-20/SF
  • Reclaimed: $15-35+/SF
  • Custom/specialty: $25-50+/SF

Acoustic Performance

Solid wood reflects sound — it doesn't absorb it. To get acoustic performance:

  • Perforated panels: Holes drilled through the wood let sound pass to absorptive backing. NRC 0.60-0.85+. Micro-perforation is nearly invisible from below.
  • Open grille with blanket above: Sound goes through the gaps and hits the absorptive material. NRC 0.60-0.80 depending on spacing and blanket thickness.
  • Slotted panels: Narrow grooves routed into the face. NRC 0.50-0.70.

Installation Considerations

  • Acclimate the wood: 48-72 hours in the building before installation. HVAC needs to be running. If the wood isn't acclimated, it'll expand or shrink after it's up.
  • Structural capacity: Wood ceilings are heavier than tile. Make sure the structure can handle the weight.
  • Fire rating: Raw wood burns. For commercial, you may need fire-retardant-treated (FRT) wood or fire-rated finishes. Some jurisdictions accept untreated wood in sprinklered spaces.
  • Coordination: Plan light fixture and sprinkler integration before the wood goes in. Custom cutouts and frames cost time and money to do after the fact.

Maintenance

  • Dust: Periodic dusting or vacuuming with soft brush. Frequency depends on the space.
  • Finish: Factory finishes last. May need refreshing after 10-15+ years in high-UV areas.
  • Moisture: Keep the HVAC running consistently. Wood moves with humidity changes.
  • Damage: Individual damaged planks or panels can usually be swapped out without disturbing the rest.

Sustainability

Wood is renewable and stores carbon. For LEED projects, look for FSC-certified products, reclaimed wood, low-VOC finishes, and domestic species (shorter shipping distances).

Planning a wood ceiling project? Elite Acoustics Inc installs from 9Wood, Rulon, and Armstrong across Sacramento and Northern California. Contact us for a free consultation.