False ceiling advice needed !

[charliee]

Hi,

Planning a drop ceiling from our concrete ceiling for downlights and pipework and in need of some advice.

The biggest room is 3780x4550 and planning to use 3x2 CLS timber. So far, I have planned to attach timber to the studs on the wall making a parameter box, and attaching battens 600mm apart for the whole room, use 12.5 plasterboards.

1. Since the ceiling is concrete and is hard to drill into, will it be okay if the new ceiling is only fixed to the parameter with noggins? Do i need to have points that are secured to the concrete ceiling?
2. Would there be another way to reinforce the structure without having points to secure it to the concrete ceiling?
3. What should the noggins space should be?

Thank you in advance!

 

[kingandy2nd]

With those spans 3x2 isn't going to cut it without some central supports.

A concrete ceiling shouldn't be too hard to drill with a suitable SDS drill and masonry drill bit.

Look up concrete screws -fixing a couple of timbers at suitable spacing to the concrete and then dropping supports to your frame.

 

[charliee]

With those spans 3x2 isn't going to cut it without some central supports.

A concrete ceiling shouldn't be too hard to drill with a suitable SDS drill and masonry drill bit.

Look up concrete screws -fixing a couple of timbers at suitable spacing to the concrete and then dropping supports to your frame.

Thank you so much for the comment.

Ah, so i should be able to fix battens for added strength, In a room this big, do you think 2 battens fixed to ceiling is enough?
Thank you.

 

[kingandy2nd]

The more you can add the better supported the ceiling would be.

I imagine a couple of rows of battens - so at 1.5m and 3m on the 4.5m length - will be enough providing they are securely fixed, and the ones around the perimeter are fixed securely too.

 

[charliee]

The more you can add the better supported the ceiling would be.

I imagine a couple of rows of battens - so at 1.5m and 3m on the 4.5m length - will be enough providing they are securely fixed, and the ones around the perimeter are fixed securely too.

Thank you so much for the help.