Installing the First Ceiling Board and Puck Lights: A Step-by-Step Guide For #VANLIFE
The most crucial first step to a perfect ceiling is to install your main and first ceiling board in the center. The next most important thing: lighting. My main lighting system is with puck lights. I will soon be adding more ambient lighting in the form of strip lighting and reading lights!
Here is the dimmer switch I used, too! - Position the 1st Ceiling Board: To start off, position the first ceiling board in the center of the van. This step ensures a balanced and visually appealing layout. This creates a good starting point for the rest of the ceiling installation.
- Enhance Insulation with EZ Cool: Next, measure & cut your EZ Cool insulation, a reflective insulation material that is supposedly a better quality than reflectix. However, I spray painted one side black to prevent any potential reflections. This step ensured that even if some cedar boards weren’t perfectly tight, I wouldn’t experience any unwanted glare or reflections inside the van.
- Choosing Your Puck Lights: Here are the puck lights I selected for my van’s lighting system. These lights provide efficient illumination while creating a cozy ambiance. To install them, I utilized a 2″ hole saw bit, which was the perfect size for accommodating the lights seamlessly.
- Wiring in a “Daisy Chain”: I wired the puck lights in a “daisy chain” configuration. This wiring technique allows all the lights to be connected to a single dimmer switch, providing centralized control over the lighting intensity.
- Attach EZ Cool: To secure EZ Cool to the furring strips, I stapled them on each edge of each furring strip. By carefully cutting away the middle section of the EZ Cool on the furring strip, I ensured that I could use a powerful adhesive (PL 8x strength) to firmly attach the cedar boards to the furring strip (wood to wood).
This step provided an additional layer of insulation.
- Conceal Nail Holes for a Seamless Finish: I didn’t want to see any nail or screw holes in my ceiling! I used an 8x strength PL adhesive and a brad nailer to do this. By driving the nails through the side of the cedar boards, I successfully concealed any visible nail holes on the ceiling surface. This attention to detail results in a polished look without compromising the structural integrity. The PL premium glue is a superior strength and you can be sure your boards will not fall down if you’re using this glue properly.
- Silicone Puck Lights for Easy Future Removal: I secured the puck lights to the cedar boards (once they were connected to the electrical wires) using a small dab of silicone. This allows for easy removal if needed, ensuring that any changes or adjustments can be made without causing damage or leaving unsightly traces.
Comment below with questions or your thoughts on this process!
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