A new wood ceiling should be finished, just like most wood structures in your house; you want it to last a long time and not be prone to weathering or rot. There are basic steps to finishing a wood ceiling correctly and efficiently.

Sanding

With a professional sander and some low-grit sandpaper, sand your entire wood ceiling. Doing this takes the surface layer off of the wood and allows it to absorb the finish you will apply more easily. You will probably have to stand on a ladder to do this, and ideally the sanding of the wooden ceiling is at least a two-person job. It would also be a good idea to wear a mask of some kind as sawdust will be falling all around you and you don't want to breathe it in.

Adding Stain and Finish

Once the entire ceiling has been sanded, the stain or finish can be added to the wood. As you will be covering a large surface area and painting where gravity is working against you, certain things should be done before applying the stain. Make sure to throw drop clothes down on the floor of the room to catch any stain which may drip down while you are painting. Use a roller and a tray of stain for maximum efficiency, as you would while painting a wall. Wear old clothes you don't mind getting drops or splashes of stain on, as this will probably be a bit messy during the application process.

Cornices and Designs

Once the wooden ceiling has been stained completely, decorative wooden additions can be added to the corners of the room. These may consist of cornices which range in their ornate design, depending on how much money you want to spend decorating the newly finished wooden ceiling. These cornices should be treated with the same color stain or finish as the rest of the ceiling so everything will match once they are attached. Cornices add a tremendous amount of style to the decor of the room, from the ceiling on down.

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Craftsman-Style: Ceiling Finishing Ideas