Is it idiotic to consider putting up a plasterboard ceiling...

[krazipan]

When I have no experience of anything even similar?! It looks fairly simple albeit heavy. Any tips? Or is it a false economy?

We've done it several times. You will need to have 2 stable platforms to work from, that is ladders with boards across to stand on. Make sure you have Noggins ( pieces of timber between the rafters) to fix the board onto and stabilise the ceiling. Stagger the joins in a brick like pattern. I'm sure there's a technical phrase for this. We have always used screws to fix the plasterboard, as nails can work lose and cause 'popping' on the finished plaster. The rest we leave to the plasterer!

Oops, when I said rafters I should have said joists. And yes it is easy if two people are working together.

Thanks JT05! I was looking at a screw gun (hire). Is this the right thing? Or do I have to do it by hand? My mum is going to help me and she is far handier than me, fortunately!

We used an electric screwdriver.

we did it in every room in our house.
After doing it by hand using the larger sheets (they come in two sizes) with three of us, two ladders and a long handled broom. we decided to buy a plaster board lift from ebay. Once we had finished we resold it for what we paid for it. Made things so much quicker and easier. Although you cant use it in tight spaces because the legs are very big.

It's in my tiny bathroom spudnik so it's probably too small...if I do this one ok though, I'll be doing every room in the house!

I'm taking the old ceiling down tomorrow and replacing it the day after...hope it's as simple as I've convinced myself!

you will want a deadman or two.

What is a deadman pigletjohn?

www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-install-drywall-ceiling-panels-using-deadmen

Fab, thanks Pigletjohn, I'll give it a go!

Well it's a disaster! Any ideas who would be able to fit a suspended plasterboard ceiling?!!!

Just to add...this is not my handiwork! We attempted to remove the existing (ruined) ceiling and found goodness knows what under it!

Ask around for a competent local plasterer. People in other building trades may have a recommendation. Try to see an example of their work.

Usually a room is just a few £hundred.

It looks like your suspended ceiling was at picture rail level. I think it will be easier to restore to the original full height ceiling.

A job for a plaster, I think.

Do you think a plasterer could do it Pigletjohn? I tried to remove the old ceiling and found what I think is a bird nest!! And a lathe and plaster ceiling? Would a plasterer construct a frame and attach a new ceiling?

Also a Plasterer 😁

Thanks JT05, I'll ask around

We recently replaced a similar suspended ceiling using a metal frame which plasterboard could be screwed to. It was this - www.british-gypsum.com/white-book-system-selector/systems-overview/floors-and-ceilings/casoline-mf and worked a treat.

in the pictures shown, I would be anxious that some or all of the old L&P ceiling would fall down, perhaps damaging or smashing the suspended ceiling and dumping vast quantities of dirt and dust. I would be inclined to pull it down, and if doing that, might as well replaster to the original ceiling.

Thanks for the replies. Why is a 'simple' job never simple

You poor fucker.

We had a ceiling like that dropped and replaced in our old house. The dirt got everywhere. Seal up all the doors of the house when you do it. Use tape. That should minimise mess.

A decent plasterer should be able to do it for you. Failing that a general builder might sort it out.

Make sure you budget for a skip. There will be a lot of waste.