Any thoughts on using reclaimed cedar fencing as ceiling covering?

[MikeT]

This afternoon I took a piece of weathered cedar fencing and ran it through my planer.  It really came out nicely.  The gray, rough hewn side of the cedar gave way to a lovely reddish brown with a some nice patina elements:  nail holes, etc.  So I am thinking of scrounging enough old cedar fence planks to cover my cathedral ceiling.  I will have wallboard underneath.   

I was thinking of even trying to increase the coverage of one piece by slicing it in half, but I am not sure I have enough thickness to do that.  The board I have is 5/8" thick.  I could also just plane it down to 1/2" or so.

I was also thinking of ripping a 45 degree cut on each side to create a bit of overlap between the pieces. 

So...what are the potential issues to consider?

[poppy]

Sounds like a great idea to me.

Take a look at Pinecone's build.  He is doing a shiplap cut for his paneling with a beveled edge.  Sounds better to me than a 45 degree cut.

[diyfrank]

I have a pile of cedar fence boards I'm planning on useing to finish the inside my cabin. I would like some input as well.

[John_M]

If you have the equipment....why not run them through a router or shaper and make them tongue and groove?

[MikeT]

I have a router, but think the most I would be into would be to rabbet joint.  I want the pieces to join easily, and I dislike the finessing one has to do with T&G.

Do you think is worth it to try and cut the 5/8" thick stock in half?

[MartyM]

I m all for putting the cedar back to use!

  I dont think it would be worth the effort to try and cut it in half.   You only have 5/8 to start with so even if your very good with a 1/16 inch band saw and only take say 1/16th off in the plainer  now you have old very dry cedar with nail holes and any other defects thats only 3/16ths inch thick. I dont see that holding a nail at all.  You may be able to glue it up,  but I think you would just end up with a lot of kindeling.

[MountainDon]

I would not rip it into thinner pieces. My experiences with reusing cedar fencing was that they split very easy. I believe the thinner pieces would split more easily.

[MikeT]

Not ripping it is fine by me.  I will just have to find more free wood.