How to hide an RSJ in the ceiling

If you're not into a more industrial, "loft-style" look, read this guide on how to conceal rolled-steel joists (RSJs) in your ceiling.

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Advanced

What you need

• Safety goggles
• Dust sheet
• Tape measure
• Saw
• Screws
• Power drill
• Nails
• Hammer
• Nailer strips
• Plywood or plasterboard
• Paint
• Paint roller
• Roller plate
• Paint brush
• Polyurethane paint
• Metal primer
• Mild detergent
• Wash cloth
• Wire brush
• Super glue

The steps to follow

Here are a couple of ways you could hide an rolled-steel joist (RSJ) in your ceiling:

Camouflaging the RSJ

1. Cover your work area with a dust sheet.
2. Select a paint colour that's closest to your ceiling colour.
3. Remove any rust from the surface by scrubbing the surface with a wire brush.
4. Wash the surface with a mild detergent and let the surface fully dry before proceeding to the next step.
5. Paint a coat of primer over the entire RSJ. Use a metal primer that will prevent rust from forming.
6. Let the first coat of primer dry before painting a second coat.
7. Use a paint that is suitable for metal and start painting the first coat of paint colour on the RSJ. Use a paint roller to start with and finish off with a paint brush to cover hard-to-reach areas.
8. Let the paint colour dry before applying a second and third coat of paint.
9. Apply a final coat of polyurethane paint when the coats of paint have fully dried.

Boxing the beam

1. Cover your work area with a dust sheet.
2. Measure the height, width and length of the RSJ beam you intend to hide.
3. With this measurement, purchase pieces of plywood or plasterboard and nailer strips from your local DIY shop. You should buy enough plywood or plasterboard to make a box to encase the RSJ. For an RSJ over 3m (10ft) long, you might want to cut the lengths of plywood or plasterboard in smaller section and fix them individually.
4. Secure nailer strips onto the ceiling on both sides of the RSJ beam. Drill screws along the nailer strips, at 30cm (11in) interval.
5. Screw three pieces of plywood or plasterboard to make an open encasement.
6. Apply liquid nails to the edges of the encasement.
7. Lift the encasement to the RSJ with the help of another person, and press it firmly to the nailer strips.
8. Skew-nail the encasement to the nail strips.
9. Fill any nail holes with wood putty and let it dry.
10. With a caulking gun, apply caulk paste along the edge between the ceiling and the box.
11. You can at this point paint the box to the colour of your choice.

Note:
If you have several RSJs supporting your ceiling, your best bet might be lowering the ceiling to hide them.

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