Plasterboard ceiling

[Martin]

Hi,

I have just pulled down an old plaster and lathe ceiling, and am going to fix plasterboard up before getting it skimmed over. Should the plasterboard be any particular thickness? Are there building regulations that I need to adhere to?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Martin

[Dave Jones]

9mm ok on ceiling, make sure all edges finish on a joist

easier to use screws otherwise wear a decent pair of safety glasses

make a dead man (a big T) will come in handy even with 2 men.

[Mike]

Only if you own the floor above. 12.5 mm is required if it is a block of flats or there are other reasons for extended fire tolerance such as no alternative escape routes upstairs.

[John Rumm]

You would also need 12.5mm in any domestic property with more than two storeys. (better noise insulation as well)

[Andrew Gabriel]

Unless it is providing a 1/2 hour fire break, as might be required below a loft room.

Where they can't, e.g. perpendicular to the joist and around the edge of the ceiling, it can be a good idea to leave a 1/4" gap. Bonding coat is then forced into this gap and through to the rear, and bonds the board edges much better than if they are just butted together. You might check with your plasterer if he expects this -- not all do, and it is not so necessary for a ceiling as with boards which might get some force put on them.

Drywall screws are specially designed for the job, with a head shape which screws flush without ripping the paper surface.

You might decide you don't want to use full sized sheets on a ceiling too -- they're quite heavy and difficult to handle.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Thicker plasterboard will help with sound insulation.

[Martin]

plasterboard

Thanks for your advice. Smaller sheets of 12.5mm it is.

[kafkaian]

I'm currenty doing the same myself in an upstairs room of my Victoria house.

However, because the ceilings are tall, I've elected to leave the ol ceiling in and cross joist, insulate, VP and install 12.5m plasterboard. As there are no fancy cornices and a drop in height b

3.5" is easily accommodated in terms of proportion and original feel, feel this is justified.

I will NOT be overlapping where there are no joists and if going to th trouble of redoing the ceiling why elect to do this when it is easy jus to run extra noggins? You know you will eventually get crackin otherwise!!!

I will then ski

-- kafkaian

[Mike]

True.