Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 3/30/2009

Question
I have just completed an open raftered them for my sons room. Now I am moving onto the Rock Star room for my daughter found on the site rafter tales. I am wanting to make a faux recessed ceiling, basically using 2X4's nailed to the ceiling, and 3/8" plyboard screwed to that, around the perimeter of the bedroom ceiling. Then placing rope lights or sound reactive EL wire inside the small pocket created. Do you have advice for me on how to maximize the effect without maximizing time and expense as well? Any hints tips or trick I could utilize to make this come out better would be greatly appreciated. Im looking at texturing and plywood, before painting it as well. That and possibly creating an edge on it to give the illusion of thickness too.

Answer
Hi yaughn, I went to the website and couldn't find the "rock star" theme you mention.  That said, I think you are talking about a simple box around the perimeter of the room with 3/8 plywood screwed or nailed to a 2x4 sleeper nailed to the ceiling.  The plywood hangs down several inches to hide the lights.  First of all you need to thicken that edge or the thin plywood will warp and start to look funky.  A 2x2 or a 1x2 nailed or screwed along that inside edge of the plywood will give you a thicker look and keep that plywood nice and straight.  As far as tricks to make it go faster?  Obviously a nice straight line to attach your 2x4's to is important so use a chalk line to snap your straight working lines.  Along the edge of the plywood that will be exposed I would use a wood putty to smooth that edge out and to fill in the joint made by the 1x2 or 2x2 and the plywood.  Minwax makes a good filler putty that comes in a tube, squeeze the material on the wood and use a putty knife to smooth it out, let it dry real good and then sand it smooth.  You can use the same stuff for filling the nail holes and joints of the plywood.  I would use a painter's caulk for the joint at the ceiling.  One more thing.  You will want to make sure that when you do the 1x2 or 2x2 thickened edge make sure that the backing wood doesn't break in the same place as the plywood joints.  By offsetting these it will give your light box more stability.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com