How much does a coffered ceiling cost?
How much does a coffered ceiling cost?
$10 – $40 coffered ceiling cost per square foot
$1,500 – $6,000 average total coffered ceiling cost (150 sq ft)
Coffered ceiling cost
A coffered ceiling costs $10 to $40 per square foot installed or $1,500 to $6,000 on average for a 150-square-foot room, depending on the ceiling height, design, and materials. Hardwood beams are heavier and more expensive to install than other materials.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Office / bedroom (10'x10') | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Dining room (12'x12') | $1,400 – $5,800 |
| Primary bedroom (15'x15') | $2,300 – $9,000 |
| Living room (16'x20') | $3,200 – $12,800 |
Coffered ceiling cost calculator
The following table shows the average cost for a coffered ceiling.
| National Average Cost | $3,800 |
| Minimum Cost | $900 |
| Maximum Cost | $14,000 |
| Average Range | $1,500 to $6,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to install a coffered ceiling
| Factor | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Materials | $2 – $15 |
| Installation labor | $8 – $25 |
| Total cost | $10 – $40 |
The following factors affect the cost to install a coffered ceiling:
Labor cost – Labor to install a coffered ceiling costs $8 to $25 per square foot on average, depending on the ceiling size, design, and any added elements.
Materials – Coffered ceiling material prices are $2 to $15 per square foot, depending on the wood type and quality.
Enhancements / design finishes – Adding embellishments such as tin tiles, medallions, extra trim, or lighting costs more than a simple design.
Location in home – Ceiling construction costs more in large rooms, vaulted ceilings, or spaces that are hard to access.
Ceiling size / support beam – Large ceilings may require additional structural support instead of faux beams. A steel beam costs $100 to $400 per linear foot installed or $1,200 to $4,200 total on average.
Raise ceiling – Raising a ceiling costs $40 to $70 per square foot and may be necessary if the existing ceiling is less than eight feet tall.
Ceiling repairs or removal – Removing or repairing an existing ceiling adds to the final cost:
Ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot or $200 to $500 total for minor repairs.
Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot or $2.00 to $6.00 per square foot to remove the popcorn and refinish the ceiling.
Labor cost to install a coffered ceiling
Installing a coffered ceiling costs $8 to $25 per square foot in labor alone. A carpenter charges $30 to $100 per hour on average. A large or vaulted ceiling, complex design, or embellishment increases overall labor costs.
Coffered ceiling material prices
Coffered ceiling material prices are $0.50 to $21.00 per square foot, depending on the material type and quality. Many carpenters use hollow beams made of poplar or MDF. Hardwoods are less likely to crack but are heavier and more expensive.
| Material | Price per square foot* |
|---|---|
| Drywall material price | $0.50 – $0.80 |
| Plywood | $2.00 – $4.50 |
| Poplar | $2.00 – $7.00 |
| MDF | $1.00 – $5.00 |
| Oak | $3.00 – $9.00 |
| Cherry | $3.00 – $11.00 |
| Walnut | $3.50 – $13.50 |
| PVC | $14.00 – $21.00 |
| Mahogany | $2.00 – $20.00 |
*Not including installation.
Cost of coffered ceiling designs & extras
Coffered ceiling designs
An elaborate design or pattern takes more time and planning than average and may increase labor costs. Examples of coffered ceiling designs include:
Square – A square coffered ceiling, also called box or waffle ceilings, is the most common coffer design. The square boxes run parallel to the room’s walls.
Diagonal – A diagonal or diamond coffered ceiling is made of squares rotated 90 degrees.
Circular – A circular or round coffered ceiling uses radius work to create a circle in the middle of the room with beams radiating away from it. This design type is more expensive to install and less common than traditional square coffers.
Octagonal – An octagonal ceiling is the same as a circular design but features an octagon in the center of the room. This focal point commonly contains a chandelier or other decoration.
Cost for coffered ceiling extras
| Accent | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Tin tiles | $2 – $7 per square foot |
| Paint | $1 – $2 per square foot |
| Crown molding | $1 – $5 per linear foot |
| Medallions | $20 – $100+ per piece |
| Finials | $5 – $20 per piece |
| Recessed lighting | $10 – $140 per light |
| Chandelier | $120 – $1,400 per fixture |
*Not including installation.
Trim / crown molding – Crown molding costs $1 to $5 per linear foot on average for materials alone or $7 to $16 per linear foot installed.
Tin tiles – Tin tiles cost $2 to $7 per square foot for materials only. Metal tiles come in a variety of designs and are typically 4 square feet per tile.
Medallions / finials – Decorative medallions cost $20 to $100+ per piece for materials and are often placed around a ceiling fan or chandelier. Finials cost $5 to $20 per piece for materials only and embellish the bottom of a lighting fixture.
Lighting - Options for adding lighting to a coffered ceiling include:
Recessed lighting costs $10 to $130 per light for standard lights or $20 to $140 for LED lights.
A chandelier costs $120 to $1,400 on average for the fixture alone and $220 to $3,400 total with installation.
A skylight costs $1,600 to $4,200 installed on average.
Ceiling painting /staining – Ceiling painting costs $1 to $2 per square foot with labor, depending on the ceiling’s texture and the number of coats. Wood stain costs $30 to $45 per gallon for materials alone and emphasizes the color and grain of wood beams.
Ceiling fan – Installing a ceiling fan costs $150 to $350, including parts and labor.
Coffered ceiling FAQs
What is a coffered ceiling?
A coffered ceiling uses decorative beams to create a series of recessed boxes. Coffered ceilings come in a variety of patterns, depths, shapes, materials, and colors. Similar ceiling types include:
Tray ceiling – A tray ceiling costs $3 to $7 per square foot installed and has one large, raised area in the center surrounded by a drop-down border.
Vaulted ceiling – A vaulted ceiling costs $40 to $70 per square foot with installation and is angled upward toward the center of a room.
In comparison, other types of ceiling installation cost $2 to $20 per square foot on average, depending on the material, texture, and size.
Do coffered ceilings add value?
Coffered ceilings add value and depth to a home. This timeless ceiling style is customizable, absorbs echoes, and requires little to no maintenance.
Where should coffered ceilings be installed?
Most homeowners install coffered ceilings in a living room, dining room, or primary bedroom to make the room feel more sophisticated and formal.
Do coffered ceilings make a room look smaller?
Coffered ceilings make a room feel more spacious when done well. Thin beams make a ceiling appear higher than thick beams. Ceilings lower than eight feet may benefit from a different type of ceiling, such as tongue and groove, shiplap, or tile.
How deep and tall should a coffered ceiling be?
A ceiling should be at least 8 to 10 feet tall before converting into a coffered ceiling. The panels are typically 3 to 5 inches deep but vary depending on ceiling height. Deeper indentations reduce vertical space and should only be used on high ceilings.
Getting quotes for coffered ceiling installation
Before hiring a coffered ceiling installer near you, be sure to:
Get three or more estimates to compare.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose licensed, bonded, insured ceiling installers with 5+ years of experience.
Ask for references from recent jobs.
Avoid selecting the lowest estimate as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed written estimate and contract in writing before paying a deposit.
Follow a payment plan instead of paying large amounts up front.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Have you worked on similar ceiling projects?
Are you licensed and insured?
Do you have a portfolio of projects I can view?
Can you provide references from recent projects?
How should I prepare my home for the project?
Will you charge extra to move furniture?
Does the estimate include prepping and cleanup?
How long will the job take?