Overboard or Remove Plasterboard Ceiling?

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Renovating victorian house which hasn't been touched since the 70s

The ceiling has artex (no asbestos) and we want it smooth.

Our two main options are to either overboard it or replace it.

Is there any benefit of one over the other?

Do renovators usually have a preference of one over the other


Current Ceiling height is 2.53m (will be reduced once flooring is added).
 
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I like to start afresh and pull the old one down.
It might be lath & plaster, so will make a bloody mess, but it’s nicer putting the new plaster boards up to fresh timber.
 
I like to start afresh and pull the old one down.
It might be lath & plaster, so will make a bloody mess, but it’s nicer putting the new plaster boards up to fresh timber.
Thanks for the comment.

Fortunately, we don't have lath and plaster ceilings

Would you still rip down the existing boards and put a fresh ceiling up?

What's the benefit as opposed to overboard?
 
If it’s plasterboard and in good nick then overboard is ok... is it level?
If not I think it’s easier to pack out the joists, with no old plasterboard on there.

And you don’t have to put loads of holes in the current ceiling trying to find the joists.
 
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Overboarding can only ever be beneficial in terms of thermal and acoustic movement. The only downside is joist location and the inability to see any suspect pipes or cables.
 
Just overboard it. There is no reason at all to remove the existing.

Locate the joists, mark the walls and chalk line or laser line the ceiling.
 
Pull down and get a skip for plaster and plasterboard only.
Sort electrical and plumbing ect if required before fitting new board. I fit cross timbers so all the edges of plasterboard are supported vs just boarding and the bridging edges of boards have nothing behind them.
Tape and skim.

Other way is to overboard which is less mess and I fix with screws with foam along with grab mastic especially around the edges. Needs a fairly flat ceiling or it will not sit tight.

Replace is always best but not always what people go for because of cost and mess
 
I over boarded a bedroom in a Victorian terrace many years ago but I think the extra weight caused it to bow.
Eventually ripped the lot down, tied up the joists supports and boarded out before getting it skimmed. Was still perfectly flat 10 years later when we left.
 
Had all my ceilings overboarded. Quicker and therefore cheaper than tearing down old. Plus, as already said, more insulation.
 
Magnet will find joists. Better than a hammer although you can find from above in there is a loft.
Keep giving away magnets especially to electricians in the hope they leave the hole cutter in the van until they have a marked out but that's off topic and a rant.
 
Everyone has their own valid preferences. I did loads of both over-boarding and removing in my previous victorian house - ended up switching to just overboarding in the end. Provided your joists are in reasonable nick I'd personally recommend over-boarding, I found it much quicker / cleaner, a lot cheaper (skip prices!) and you benefit from an extra sound / thermal layer. You soon get the knack of finding joists with either magnet or long thin screwdriver.
 
Thanks guys

The plan is to do a rear extension later

This maybe an odd question but If the ceiling is overboarded in one will this create an issue in terms of ceiling height difference for the adjacent entension room?

Or no issue at all?
 
Thanks guys

The plan is to do a rear extension later

This maybe an odd question but If the ceiling is overboarded in one will this create an issue in terms of ceiling height difference for the adjacent entension room?

Or no issue at all?

If the ceiling of the planned adjacent extension is not directly linked to the ceiling in question - ie it's separate by a dividing wall or supporting beam etc - then you won't notice the slight difference in height. If the new ceiling is going to become one with the existing ceiling then as far as I can see the only issue will be having to put 2 layers of plasterboard on the new ceiling to keep everything level - or put spacers strips - but for the low cost of an extra layer of PB you may as well just double up and have the extra sound / thermal benefit.
 
If the ceiling of the planned adjacent extension is not directly linked to the ceiling in question - ie it's separate by a dividing wall or supporting beam etc - then you won't notice the slight difference in height. If the new ceiling is going to become one with the existing ceiling then as far as I can see the only issue will be having to put 2 layers of plasterboard on the new ceiling to keep everything level - or put spacers strips - but for the low cost of an extra layer of PB you may as well just double up and have the extra sound / thermal benefit.
Like you said, worst case scenario we have to add an extra PB layer. Which is actually a blessing due to added insulation (heat and sound).

Thanks for the comment
 

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