Plasterboard Ceiling

[Rusty10]

Hi

This weekends project is to plasterboard over existing lath & plaster ceiling which is in ok condition. My plan is to mark out the joists which run horizontally across (90 degrees to floorboards) and attach into them.

I am doing this as the plasterer will be in shortly to plaster ceiling and walls, so time is key and removing old ceiling is not possible

Just wanted a bit of advice please? What is the easiest way to get the board up to the ceiling and what screws or nails should I use? 12.mm pb thought maybe 40mm screws? What spacing between? 150mm?

Any top-tips I should be aware of, how thick is the existing ceiling likely to be, as this will aid me in deciding on screws?

Many thanks all help greatly appreciated

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Screws definitely or your banging may bring the existing ceiling down, L&P is likely to be around 20/25mm thick so something like 75mm screws at 150 cts would be good.

 

[Rusty10]

Thanks freddymercurystwin

Should I get 'special' plasterboard ones?

 

[Alastairreid]

What is the easiest way to get the board up to the ceiling

make yourself a "deadman". This is a piece of batten, slightly longer then the height of the room with a cross member nailed to the top to form a T shape. This can be used to hold the plasterboard in place after you have lifted it up against the joists.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Something like 60-70mm dry wall screws should do, space them out aprox 150mm-200mm, along the joints and joists. You'll need about 50 per 2400x1200mm boards.
Link
http://www.british-gypsum.com/produ...ies/gyproc_fixings/gyproc_drywall_screws.aspx
Remember to stagger your joints and use 12.5mm plasterboards.
link
http://www.zurich.co.uk/NR/rdonlyre...DE0F7CFBC0/0/PlasterboardCeiling107782A02.pdf

Also to help hold the boards in place, whilst your fixing them up, build yourself a couple of dead mans props. Then you can put a few evenly spaced screws in about 8 and they will then support the board and the props can be removed, remember to make the props about 35mm longer than the measurement between floor and your current ceiling, this will allow the props to trap the board tight, between floor and ceiling.
link.
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Dead_man_prop

I always prefer to use 2400x1200x12.5mm boards, you may need a friend to handle them, but you don't end up with as much waste and loads of joints on the ceiling, also covers the area quicker.
Hope this helps

 

[holmslaw]

I would use 75mm minimum screws, and fit the boards to the same pattern as brick bonding.