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Original poster

OK silly question number 47 - who knows how ceilings are made?

56 replies

Katymac · 27/10/2006 21:18

I need to build a ceiling 20m by 10m how do I do this?

I don't really want a white plastic suspended ceiling (bit Cr*p to look at imo)

Thanks

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LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 27/10/2006 21:34

I suggest if you dont know how to do this then dont do it.

LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 27/10/2006 21:34

I suggest if you dont know how to do this then dont do it.

LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 27/10/2006 21:34

I suggest if you dont know how to do this then dont do it.

LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 27/10/2006 21:36

shit

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 21:39

That's good....I see lots of replys and they are all negative

I will work it out

I have sorted out:
removing asbestos
replacing a roof
buying double glazing
buying a rainwater harvesting system

I still have:
Groundsource heat pumps
small toilets
& a kitchen to sort out

I can do this...I just need a bit of help

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LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 27/10/2006 21:47

Sorry wasnt meaning to be negative. Its just my DH and FIL are very good DIYers but we have recently moved into a house where the previous owners put in a new ceiling - by cowboy and we've had no end of trouble with it. Its going to cost us a fortune to replace. It can be done though, you just sounded a bit novice but I dont mean that cheeky.

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 21:50

Oh god I'm not going to do it - I have builders for that

But they want to do stuff "the way it's always been done" you know uPVC windows/lots of sealets and plastice everywhere

Whereas I want to do it green(er) and with a bit more lateral thought

So I ask around

The suspended ceiling would cost about 4.5K so I would also consider something a little cheaper to be a good thing

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Frizombie · 27/10/2006 21:50

I'll ask dh when he rings in a bit, he's a builder!!

hairymclary · 27/10/2006 21:50

what kind of ceiling do you want?
my dad has just done his sitting room.
strip off old ceiling. replace with plasterboard,cut down and screwed onto joists.
use filler on all edges and screws to make a nice smooth surface.
he is then artexing it,but I guess you could just paint it?

SamhainWitch · 27/10/2006 21:52

Minimum 2 man job.

Use plasterboard, min thickness 9.5mm. Screw or nail directly to exposed joists, but stagger the overlapping of the plasterboard sheets (imagine staggered brickwork).

Tape over the joints with scrim tape (available at DIY stores).

Plaster over the whole lot.

Checked this all out last week 'cos I'm fed up waiting for DH to get on with ours.

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 21:52

BTW - there isn't a current ceiling it's a new one

I also need the prices for roof trusses (which are impossible to find)

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Frizombie · 27/10/2006 21:52

Hey he just rung, must have known you needed to know!!
Apparently you nail plasterboard to the joists of the floor or loft above! then plaster the plasterboard, hey presto celing!

LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 27/10/2006 21:53

Good for you Katymac, it'll be fine then.

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 21:54

That's great advise guys - but I don't have any joists...I have a large empty space about 12 feet below the roof

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Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 21:57

Frizombie - could you ask him how much roof trusses are...10m span with a 30 degree pitch

Ta

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Mumpbump · 27/10/2006 21:59

Do you mean white plastic or plasterboard? For that span, you may have to have a rsj. If you google search for "joists" and "spans", there is building regulation information about the maximum spans for particular types of timber and their profile, ie. width and height. There are different grades - C16 is standard and the higher the number, the stronger the timber is with less knots. We have a ceiling which is about 5x5m and that was pretty much the maximum span for the timbers we had - C16, 1250mm x 47 mm I think they were. You might also need to get building reg approval and engineer drawings as 20m x 10m is a pretty large area. Ask your local building control department - they are usually pretty helpful. We have used a retired structural engineer who is very reasonably priced if you need one!

SamhainWitch · 27/10/2006 22:00

Read Timber -Airport Ind. Est
All timber/sheet materials, hardwoods, decking, roof trusses, c/c accepted. Open Sat am Norwich (01603) 406372

Any use?

Gillian76 · 27/10/2006 22:03

do you need a ceiling if there isn't one atm. Sorry not sure where you're currently at with this.

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 22:05

Oh Mumpbump that is great, Thanks

I will need Building regs (& PP) but I want to go in with as much info as poss

I don't mind plaster board - but I am worried about the RSJ (I can't find one long enough)

I may need a structural engineer (my dad is one - but he doesn't hold any insurance anymore...it cost too much as he doesn't use it)

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Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 22:07

SamhainWitch - Thanks I will ring (but maybe on Monday...the cat is at the vets tomorrow)

Gillian - I have a barn about 20 ft high, I am reroofing it but cannot afford to heat all that space - so i intend to put in a false ceiling and insulate above it to keep down my heating costs

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Mumpbump · 27/10/2006 22:10

Do you have an architect? I imagine you might have one already for something like this. I would think they could probably tell you the likelihood of getting an RSJ big enough. I guess you might be able to get one made, but it would be seriously heavy to manhandle into position and you would need a structural engineer to calculate the dimensions and design padstones for it to rest on. Will you have rooms above or just an empty space?

Mumpbump · 27/10/2006 22:11

Sorry - just saw that you're going to insulate above. That might help...

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 22:14

I think it will have to be a susupended ceiling

They are so ugly tho' - it's a shame & it messes up my lighting to..it's all so institutional

I haven't got an architect (yet) I am about to start negitiation with him this week end (I hope) & I desparatly hopw he won't charge too much

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Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 22:16

The other option is to knock the top of the barn down - put up new trusses (the old ones wouldn't move) and lower the ceiling in that way

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Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 22:16

cos then I would have joists and I can use a plaster board ceiling

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