plasterboarding over wallpapered ceiling

[white_noise]

We are in a 1930's house with very tall ceilings, the previous owner has wall papered the ceiling. I don't know why they did this, if it was just the fashion at the time or if it was to support the aging lathe and plaster.

Anyway its time for the wall paper to go (i hate the stuff). rather than steam off the wall paper and risk damaging the lathe, plus the pain in the arse factor, i am going to put a new plasterboard ceiling (12.5mm) up, to be skimmed by a plasterer.

I have seen two ways of doing it, either screwing the new plasterboard directly to the joists (through the lathe and plaster), or to put battens underneath fixed to the joists that the plasterboard is fixed to. The battens can be shimmed out to make the ceiling perfectly flat.

Any recommendations on which method to use, and if the battens, what minimum size?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

It would depend on your existing ceiling and how level it is, to which method is best used.

If you where to use battens, then 2"x 1" are usually fine. You will need to identify where you existing joist are. Recommended spacing would be 400mm to 450mm centres then battens along centre line and edge of board (this should overlap to catch next board.

If the existing joist are over spaced, then go for larger section batten, 2"x 2" or larger.

 

[white_noise]

cheers, i will see how level it is, my hope is pretty level, joists are at 18 inch centres (450mm) so will be o.k with the 2 x 1" if needed.

if not using battens, how would you fix plasterboard to the perimeter walls between joists? is it needed?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

if not using battens, how would you fix plasterboard to the perimeter walls between joists? is it needed?

You would fit battens perpendicular existing joists, then fix the other battens to these, I would expect a joist/noggin already close to the perimeter walls to fix to.