Fitting a ceiling light to plasterboard ceiling?

[diyer1234321]

Hello,

I want to fit a new ceiling light, weight 3.5kg. My ceiling is plasterboard. The light has 3 fixing holes arranged in a triangle 43cm from each other. I can fix one of them to a joist easily, or two not so easily (I'll have to drill a new hole for the cable that will go into the light and move the cable 12.5cm from where it hangs now).

Provided I fix the light with one screw to the joist and the other two to the drywall, will that be enough to hold the weight?

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

Provided I fix the light with one screw to the joist and the other two to the drywall, will that be enough to hold the weight?

Yes, obviously the screw must be adequate.

Anyway use hollow wall anchors for the other two (or all three) and it will be fine.

Toolstation

www.toolstation.com

You will need a fitting tool for best results.

Toolstation

www.toolstation.com

 

[conny]

I wouldn't like to chance it. Can you get access above?
The best way would be to secure a batten across where the light will go, with a hole through the centre for the cables, so you can screw securely through all holes.
If no access from above another option, although not ideal, could be a batten across the ceiling screwed into the joists either side, and then painted to blend in with the ceiling. I did this once, many years ago, and after a few days never noticed it anymore. Visitors never commented on it as people don't tend to look up at ceilings when visiting.

 

[diyer1234321]

I like how the opinions are so split lol

It's this model of light if it makes a difference - https://www.lights.co.uk/p/lindby-tanju-ceiling-light-oak-wood-o-60-cm-9628012.html

I can, in theory, get access from above, but this will require me to remove floor panels in the loft, which I've never done before and would like to avoid doing (ideally).

 

[sparkwright]

It looks lightweight - plasterboard fixings or spring toggles should be fine.

EDIT - just noticed the 3.5kg.

With a diameter of 60cm, I'm surprised you can't find another joist (although I suppose modern roof trusses are spaced out at 60cm or 600mm.

Spring toggles are much better than standard plasterboard fixings.

 

[diyer1234321]

The fixing holes are at the distance of 43cm from each other, and the joists are at 60cm.

I can fix two of them to a joist that runs right through where my ceiling rose is. Which means that the light will be slightly off centre (probably ok), but I'll also have to drill a new hole for the wire and move the wire there, which is a bit of a pain. (EDIT: I'm not saying I won't do that)

 

[conny]

If the panels are not T&G in the loft I'd recommend the batten between the joists.
Even if it is T&G, you can cut through the tongue with a correctly set plunge saw or circular saw without damaging the joists or hitting any cables/pipes.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

These days I always use a multi-tool.

 

[Murdochcat]

Do it properly by adding a batten from above

 

[diyer1234321]

Cool, thanks for the advice everyone.

What could happen if I hang it on two screws to the joist and one to the plasterboard with a spring toggle?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Each fixing is carrying 1 and a bit kg. 2 solid fixings into joist and a toggle on the third will be fine.

 

[flameport]

What could happen if I hang it on two screws to the joist and one to the plasterboard with a spring toggle?

Nothing. One screw in the joist will easily hold 10x the weight.
You don't need any battens, access above or anything else.

A similar mess was done over recently here: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/hanging-chandelier.610282/
and none of those options were needed either.

 

[diyer1234321]

Thanks, that was an enlightening read. I'm glad I don't have to install a 150x150 batten.