Wood Grille Ceilings

What Is a Wood Grille Ceiling?

A wood grille ceiling is a system of parallel wood members — slats, beams, or fins — mounted to a support structure with consistent spacing between them. The result is a linear pattern that adds rhythm, depth, and warmth to any commercial space. You can see through the gaps, which means the plenum above stays partially visible. That's part of the design — layered depth instead of a flat plane.

These systems go by different names depending on the manufacturer: linear wood, open grille, slatted ceiling, or wood screen. They all describe the same basic concept — parallel wood elements at regular intervals.

Commercial Applications

• Corporate lobbies — First impression spaces. A wood grille ceiling signals quality construction and attention to detail.
• Universities — Student unions, libraries, lecture halls. Universities invest in architecture that attracts students.
• Airports and transit — Large-span areas where wood grille creates visual warmth at scale.
• Hotels — Lobby ceilings, restaurant ceilings, ballroom ceilings. Hospitality loves wood.
• Museums and cultural — Galleries, exhibit halls, and civic buildings where the ceiling is part of the experience.
• Medical centers — Lobby and common areas. Wood creates a calming environment for patients and visitors.

Benefits

• Architectural impact: Wood grille ceilings are showstoppers. They photograph well, they look expensive, and they make spaces memorable.
• Acoustic performance: With acoustical backer panels above the grille, these systems achieve NRC 0.50–0.85. The gaps between slats let sound pass through to the absorber above.
• Design variety: Control the look by adjusting slat width, depth, spacing, and species. Tight spacing for a refined feel. Wide spacing for a bolder, more open look.
• Light integration: Linear light fixtures mount between grille members for a seamless, integrated look.
• Species options: White oak, rift-cut walnut, maple, cherry, Douglas fir, western red cedar — your choice.
• Sustainable: FSC-certified wood available. Many systems use veneer over substrates, maximizing the yield from each tree.

Installation

Wood grille ceilings install in two layers. First, we hang the support carriers — metal channels on threaded rod from the deck. Then the grille assemblies mount to the carriers. Most manufacturers ship grille in pre-assembled panels (typically 4'–12' long sections) with the slats already attached to cross supports at the factory.

Panels butt together on site. Getting the joints tight and the grain aligned takes skill and patience. We also install acoustical backer panels above the grille — usually black fiberglass or mineral wool tiles on a separate support system.

Curved sections, transitions, and border conditions add complexity. These get detailed in shop drawings before anything ships. We review every shop drawing set with the manufacturer before approving for production.

Specs

• Slat width: 1"–6"
• Slat depth: 1"–6"
• Spacing: 1/2"–4" between slats
• Panel length: Up to 12' per section
• NRC: 0.50–0.85 (with acoustical backing)
• Fire rating: Class A achievable with fire-retardant treatment

Manufacturers

9Wood is our most-used wood grille manufacturer. They're based in Springfield, Oregon, and their Linear Open systems give us maximum flexibility on sizing and species. Rulon International in St. Marys, Georgia, makes similar systems and is frequently spec'd on East Coast projects that we support. Armstrong WoodWorks offers a more standardized grille system that works well for simpler applications.

Get a Quote

Wood grille ceilings are custom-manufactured to your project. We'll work with the architect and manufacturer to develop the design and get pricing. Contact us to start planning.