Parrish · Bradenton · Sarasota, FL
A cedar ceiling changes the room.
If your lanai still has a plain builder ceiling, this is one of the changes I would look at. Real wood overhead. A board layout that fits the space.
Our cedar ceiling work
See the whole ceiling. Get closer.
10 views of 5 projects. Look at the board layout and where the ceiling meets the walls, beams and lights. Open any photo to see it larger.
Three ceilings in 25 seconds
The video shows two lighter cedar ceilings and the darker lanai. Compare how the color changes the space.
See our ceiling project pages →Read the video transcript
Most covered patios still feel like an afterthought. A plain ceiling is often part of the problem. Add wood overhead and the whole space warms up. The lighting and fan look like they belong there, and the lanai starts to feel like a real room. If you want more out of your outdoor space, visit eminenceservicesllc.com.
Why I recommend it
Cedar is where I would start.
For a covered Florida lanai, I prefer cedar over ordinary untreated pine. I like the look, and western red cedar moves less with changes in moisture than many common woods.
It still needs the right finish and a dry ceiling above it. If there is a leak, we deal with that first.
The installation
Plan the cuts before cutting.
I want to know where the board runs end, how they meet the beams and what happens at the lights. You see those decisions every time you look up.
We look at the existing ceiling and fastening surface, then choose the boards and finish. The material and coating instructions determine how we handle acclimation, fastening and movement.
Choose the boards and the finish together.
Some homeowners want the knots. Others want a clearer board. Approve a finish sample on the actual wood before committing to the whole ceiling.
Prefinished boards can save finishing work on site. Unfinished boards give us room to choose a custom color. For either one, I want a coating intended for the exposure and a clear plan for future upkeep.
Read my material and finish comparison →Questions about the ceiling
Why do you recommend cedar for a Florida lanai?
For a covered outdoor space, I prefer cedar’s appearance and stability over ordinary untreated pine. Western red cedar has low shrinkage and naturally decay-resistant heartwood. We still check the supplied boards and finish for the space.
Does cedar repel insects?
Western red cedar heartwood contains compounds that contribute to natural resistance. That does not make a cedar ceiling insect-proof or a substitute for pest protection.
Why not pine outdoors?
Pine is not my first choice for a covered Florida lanai. I prefer cedar’s appearance and stability. Properly dried pine can work indoors, especially for a painted or knotty ceiling.
Can cedar get mold?
Yes. Wood ceilings can develop surface mold when conditions allow it. Fix leaks or recurring condensation before covering the ceiling.
Should the boards be finished before installation?
Often that is the better time to apply the specified finish because the back and edges are still accessible. Factory-finished and field-finished boards both need the right coating for the exposure. Primer alone is not a completed finish.
What affects the price and schedule?
Ceiling size, existing damage, access, board grade and finish all affect the work. I review the space before giving you an estimate or a schedule.
Show me the space.
Send photos of the full ceiling and tell me what you want to change. We work in Parrish, Bradenton and Sarasota.