Different Ceiling Material

[Deb&John]

We have a nearly converted roof raised, spray foamed, RV windowed, solar systemed, fully plumbed 40 ft RE. She’s just waiting for the pretty stuff and that’s where I’m stuck!
On the ceiling to be specific. I want a sleek uncluttered modern look inside. While t&g is beautiful, I’m not sure that’s what we are going for. Also, my hubby would like something that can come down in sections without hassle if something should need to be repaired. We have considered 4x8 3/16” paneling with a few rows of t&g on the curves between ceiling and walls. We even found the corrugated vinyl 2x8 panels interesting for an industrial vibe, but that’s going to cause difficulty framing out recessed lights.
Anyone have ideas? Pics? Thoughts?

 

[nikitis]

It's a tough choice because the roofs are curved. Would be simple if it was a flat one, you could buy locking panels. This is why majority of bus designers use strips, then screw onto them with long boards, or use thin sheets of manufactured wood and bend them to get maximum coverage, but once you add walls in the bus, then you have to tuck the ceiling over the walls and it's hard to get to.

I don't really know if there is a "Easy" method to remove them to fix something. This is why a lot of bus builders also take care to study and understand how to prevent issues from occurring for the next 10-20 years and not have to deal with problems. Pre-planning is key.

 

[Rob_386]

I like that idea; I thing t&g is super played out. I'd experiement with one panel and see how it turns out.

Also, I HATE recessed lights, they produce uneven illumination and I just don't think they're a good fit in the bus. I put RGB strips underneath all my cabinets for mood/accent lighting, and then I mounted these fairly bright LEDs under all the cabinets that you can turn on and off individually. I think you should try mocking it up and find a different way to handle the lighting, and ignore those dumb puck lights that 99% of builds have.

You can see my lighting setup here, very happy with it.

 

[nikitis]

If you have enough head room, you could always install a traditional house fixture. The reasons home lighting are round is to push light in all directions. Recessed lighting doesn't cover the ceiling around and can create additional shadows, it's true. Most do not care about this though, and would rather have the space savings which is so valuable on a bus. A light fixture with a rounded bulb sticking out of the ceiling you would likely or someone would likely hit their head on it but it would light up the space better. This is why most do not do it because bus ceiling height is already at a premium for most people.

 

[Deb&John]

I’m on a mobile version, and I’m not seeing any links to your build. I’d love to see what you’ve done!
I tried to look up your threads and posts and didn’t find it there either. I am a bit computer illiterate, sorry if it’s me. ��

 

[Iceni John]

I plan on covering my ceiling with FRP sheet, with 1/2" polyiso insulation between that and the ceiling itself. From one side of the ceiling all the way over to the other side is about 7'11", so I'll have very little wasted FRP. Between each 4' x 8' sheet of FRP I'll use the matching plastic joining strip that holds both pieces in alignment, and if the FRP doesn't hold itself up against the ceiling by its own curvature I can help support it with white plastic pop rivets made especially for FRP. Yes, I know FRP isn't a "warm" material, but I'm more into simple, unfussy, maintenance-free, easy-to-clean, no painting needed (yeah!), so I'll happily use alternatives to wood. What little wood trim I have used so far inside the bus has been more trouble than it's worth; had I originally known what a complete PIA it is, I wouldn't have used it anywhere at all!

John

 

[Rob_386]

If you have enough head room, you could always install a traditional house fixture. The reasons home lighting are round is to push light in all directions. Recessed lighting doesn't cover the ceiling around and can create additional shadows, it's true. Most do not care about this though, and would rather have the space savings which is so valuable on a bus. A light fixture with a rounded bulb sticking out of the ceiling you would likely or someone would likely hit their head on it but it would light up the space better. This is why most do not do it because bus ceiling height is already at a premium for most people.

I'm saying putting the lights ON the ceiling isn't necessary if you do indirect lighting for general illumination, and task lighting above counters/work areas.

 

[Rob_386]

I’m on a mobile version, and I’m not seeing any links to your build. I’d love to see what you’ve done!
I tried to look up your threads and posts and didn’t find it there either. I am a bit computer illiterate, sorry if it’s me. ��

I tried to link it to the words in my post, here is a normal link, feel free to fast forward to the end to see how it turned out. I'm so happy with it, and we have zero lights on our ceiling.

https://youtu.be/M9Km6Ec-MbI?si=LhJMRqtwtdd0i4LW

The indirect is RGB so you can make it bright white, warm white, or any color you'd like. I turn it to a dim red light at night as a night light. And then super bright task lights everwhere under cabinets, for cooking, reading, etc, all can be turned on and off individually for energy efficiency.