That’s almost exactly what I’m thinking of doing. The local lumber yard/building center is telling me the only panels that will work on the ceiling are the same design/pattern as the exterior walls (pic below). But I don’t want to use them on the ceiling as I’m concerned about the j-boxes for the lights; what if a box is located on one of those “major ridges”(?). Would like to find something a little more flat and/or of a “regular” pattern design to not only make for a simpler electrical install, but also to not be so aesthetically noticeable.
You just gave me a great idea! I don’t need to hard mount the j-boxes for the lights and run the risk of having the boxes be located in the same spot as those ridges. Rather, I could mount the boxes higher up on the trusses and install “drops” like they do for lights in acoustic ceilings, and then locate the lights on-center wherever they look right!
The boxes will never be located on a ridge. They will be in a low spot, because you don't screw the panel to the stud on the high ridge. The boxes are always screwed to a stud.
To be honest I haven’t looked around all that much yet Randy, but I’m trying to keep it local and run this through the local building center, instead of Home Depot or the like. When they told me today that they only had the one pattern they would recommend, that bummed me out a bit, and is what is generating this thread, as I have to believe there are more options out there.
Agreed. I’m also mounting some external lights on the walls, and that rings true for them.
They make J box extensions.
If you have time, check out some videos by Rural Renovators. The dude has really good coverage of some of their post frame buildings and some include the ceiling like you are asking about as well as interior walls and insulation.
I looked on CL and Marketplace for some used panels last night, but nothing useful came up. I’ll keep looking, though…
Had issues with sheetrock walls (too soft, easily damaged) in my first Maple Grove house, so like I did with my second Maple Grove house, I’m going to use OSB on the walls, Pete.
Thanks for the pictures, Jim. That's a nice-looking building. It was engineered to give you a lot of square footage with as little cost in wood as possible. You will be adding studs for the ceiling panels to anchor to?
I’m not really sure yet, Jeff. One guy I spoke with told me that this spacing is fine for metal panels, and insulation, while another told me I should add more joists/ “purlins”.
Good call. There is very little chance hanging sheeting from the current frame will work out to your satisfaction.
I used the same steel as used on the walls and roof of my building.
