Coffered Ceiling Costs: Installation Price Per Square Foot
Last Updated: October 23, 2023
Reviewed By: Ryan Maguire
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What is a Coffered Ceiling? #
Coffer means "box" in French. A coffered ceiling is, essentially, several recessed boxes in the ceiling to give detail and texture to a, normally, ordinary ceiling. The coffers, themselves, are usually squares, rectangles, or octagons decorated with ornate trim and detail. They not only look elegant, but also serve a purpose. They actually are faux acoustical ceiling tiles that absorb sound and insulate the room. They are typically made from wood such as poplar, ash or cherry, but cheaper materials such as drywall, plywood or fiberboard.
There are so many options available for coffered ceiling designs it would be impossible to list them all. You can vary the depth of the coffer, the sheen of the finished product, the trims surrounding the coffer, the beams supporting the coffer; the list goes on and on. If you can dream it, you can find someone to design and build it.
Coffered Ceiling Prices #
On average, installing a coffered ceiling costs between $35 - $60 per square foot.
This national average range takes into account different materials, design complexities, labor rates, and other cost factors.
To break it down further:
Basic coffered ceilings using affordable materials like plaster or fiberglass typically cost $10 - $25 per square foot on the lower end.
Mid-range coffered ceilings with some ornate details or a mix of materials like wood and plaster often run $25 - $50 per square foot.
High-end intricate custom wood coffered ceilings can cost $50 - $100+ per square foot on the upper end.
So while prices can range from $10 - $100+ per square foot depending on the specifics, the typical average cost for most coffered ceiling installations across the country falls between $35 - $60 per square foot installed.
Additional Costs #
There are many other details you can use to supplement your coffered ceiling. Chandeliers or ceiling fans will add elegance to any room. Sometimes, a soffit around the perimeter of a coffered ceiling (with lighting reflecting up at the ceiling) looks graceful. Tin panels installed in the coffers can help reflect light, not to mention, give an added artistic appearance. Additions such as these may cost as little as $100, or as much as $3,000 to $4,000, on top of the total price tag.
"#How Much Contractors Charged for Coffered Ceilings
"For my 800 square foot living room, I paid the contractor $28,000 to install a simple plaster coffered ceiling. That came out to $35 per square foot."
"My contractor charged me $18,500 to put up a fiberglass coffered ceiling in my 350 square foot dining room. **The per square foot cost was around $53."
"I was quoted $85 per square foot for a custom wood coffered ceiling in my master bedroom. For the 450 square foot space, the total estimate was $38,250."
"We hired a high-end contractor who charged us $120 per square foot for the coffered ceiling in our entryway. It's a small 100 square foot space but with intricate designs, the total cost was $12,000."
"For a basic 1200 square foot ceiling in our basement, we paid $22 per square foot for a simple plaster coffered look. The contractor's total bill was $26,400."