How hard to replace the ceiling? Any other suggestions?

[Lusi83]

Redoing my bathroom -was supposed to be a quick tidy up....but it is getting a bit out of hand...
Whole bathroom was/is a DIY bodge...and is kind of in the eaves.

Ceiling is tongue and groove wood about 4 m long and between 70cm and 180cm wide - not very big...

It has 4 downlighters in it...I'm trying to warm it up a bit and was going to make plasterboard boxes to go over them (they are in the attic)

But I have realised that 3 of them have been fitted right next to the joists max 3 cm away and 2 of these are next to the roof slope too...
Was going to make the boxes with a 10cm gap above the light ftting but on these 2 the actually roof is only 5 cm above them.

There is no reason why they couldn't be further from the joists/ roof slope - if anything they would be better placed in the room if they were- (think someone's measuring was a bit out )

On a plasterboard ceiling I would move them and patch the old holes but can't see how I can do that with the tongue and groove...unless anyone has a brilliant suggestion?

I could try and make odd shaped plasterboard boxes to go over them - I only use low energy bulbs- and would remove the boxes if I sold the house...

Or the most drastic solution - How hard would it be to replace the ceiling?

If I go down this route - I'll be posting in the plastering section as well!

BTW this bathroom has a letter of comfort from building control....

 

[foxhole]

Whats the purpose of the boxes?
A new plasterboard ceiling would be quick and easy to install. chamfered boards and scrim and skim just the joints and fixings, afternoons work.

 

[Lusi83]

Thanks...
The boxes are to try and reduce the draughts that blow through the lights...you can buy things call 'loft caps' etc that do the same thing but they're £8+ each or use clay flower pots upside down...but I have lots of bits of damaged plasterboard (from a half hearted attempt at a loft conversion by previous owner) so I thought I'd try the boxes...
A new ceiling would be that simple? ...deep breath - I guess I'll go for it
Really I should ask this on the plastering forum...do you tape the edges at the top of the walls too and should I prime the board with something before I stick lining paper up?

 

[hillw]

As this is a bathroom and you already have a T&G ceiling up there have you thought about PVC paneling on the ceiling?
Will be quicker and cleaner than plasterboard and skimming, but might cost a bit more.

You can still cut your new holes for your downlighters in the correct place and box them in.

 

[foxhole]

Thanks...
The boxes are to try and reduce the draughts that blow through the lights...you can buy things call 'loft caps' etc that do the same thing but they're £8+ each or use clay flower pots upside down...but I have lots of bits of damaged plasterboard (from a half hearted attempt at a loft conversion by previous owner) so I thought I'd try the boxes...
A new ceiling would be that simple? ...deep breath - I guess I'll go for it
Really I should ask this on the plastering forum...do you tape the edges at the top of the walls too and should I prime the board with something before I stick lining paper up?

Why lining paper? you will have a perfect surface to decorate with a new ceiling.