exposed beams and ceiling, matte, pearl, or semi-gloss?

9 years ago

We have very low ceilings in our soon to be kitchen (renovation is in progress). Per another houzz discussion, we decided to expose the beams and this does make it seem like there is more head room, but we want to make them a lighter color, really the whole space struggles for light because that big window faces north. I know ceilings typically have a flat finish, but I have seen many pictures on houzz that look shinier. . .and I would love to get as much reflected light as possible from the finish. Most of the trim will likely be semi-gloss Benjamin Moore White Dove. Are there reasons to not just do the whole ceiling in that color and finish? Has anyone painted their ancient exposed beams and loved the result? Should I whitewash them instead of trying to coat them completely? Open to all advice.

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dianegentry
Original Author

9 years ago

Beth H. - Thankfully the room above this one is the overlarge master bedroom. We, the adults, are usually in one space or the other - it would be very rare for kitchen noise to exist without me! If a child is sitting on the floor of the bedroom with an electronic device/movie/noisy game/howling, we can hear it in the future kitchen - it sounds similar to someone talking while standing directly outside a closed window. But if they are sitting on a chair in that room, I don't hear anything. Noise does not seem to travel as much the other way - at least those same kids can't hear me calling for them when I am in the future kitchen and they are sitting in the room directly above me.

We have a very powerful exhaust hood over a 48" viking range that is not pictured, so I am not very afraid of cleaning the rafters being a problem.. . also, the ceilings are so short that I can reach them easily with a broom or regular vacuum wand extension.

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Comments (9)

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BeverlyFLADeziner
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Just spray the ceiling flat white with an airless sprayer. I 'm guessing that one coat might look like white wash and more than one coat will render the ceiling completely white. Geez don't even consider a gloss finish

http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/painted-basement-ceiling-how-to-tips-and-lessons-learned/
dianegentry thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PRO
Brian Gannon
9 years ago
Big mistake for so many reasons. Sheetrock the ceiling it doesn't look an higher with the sheetrock removed. The amount of work to clean and paint those beams will cost more then sheetrock. Exposed utilities, sound, wall to ceiling termination, lighting fixtures, etc.

Looks great in a picture but you have to actually live there, big difference.
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wacokid
9 years ago
How are going to close the gap between the top of your walls and the ceiling?
Beth H. :
9 years ago
curious as to what about insulation? i'm assuming that's your roof above?

and good point about cleaning. all the webs and dirt/grease from cooking that will float up there. Flat paint will be a nightmare to clean.
dianegentry
Original Author
9 years ago
Wacokid- we plan to finish the edges similar to this. except not with a shelf above the window, just a wider window frame.
dianegentry
Original Author
9 years ago
BeverlyFLADeziner - Thanks so much for those great pictures. .. I think we will be spraying flat white this weekend. If it doesn't work out then we will go the route of v-groove beadboard. . .and only have wasted my 5 plus hours of shop vacing/cleaning the ceiling and some paint (and paint prep and cleanup). I hope it turns out as well as some of those photos you shared. rough boards, but lighter and whiter than the original dark wood.
wacokid
9 years ago
Your roof system will be difficult to frame to close it up, but if you can do it, I think it will look great. I would be tempted to not paint it at all...but I am no designer...good luck.
dianegentry
Original Author
9 years ago
wacokid - We are the try, try again type of do-it yourselfers. . . hopefully not too many tries before that edge finish looks the way we want it (we do try to measure twice and cut once at least). Certainly we have never been known to take the easiest route to project completion. I thought a lot about not painting, as after cleaning it, I quite like the natural rafters, but it is just so dark in the room, and the ceiling is so low, that I am quite desperate for any way to make the space seem taller, and white is the only way I can think of to trick the eye (oh, and removing the old popcorn ceiling too!).