plasterboard for ceilings Ask your questions and find answers on many subjects relating to plastering and dry lining

[Builderbert]

Dear Doctor
please can you advise best board and size to use for a replacement ceiling, I've pulled down an old lathe & plaster one and need to replace, also should I start in the middle and work out or start on one wall, I will get a tradesman in to skim. I've got a humungous rose in the centre 45" dia, so I guess I need to scribe to suit.

[kbrownie]

Hi Builderbert,
I always use 8x4ft boards because it covers area quicker and less joints to scrim tape, but it is a personal choice. 1/2 square edge if yi=our plastering over recommended. Start boarding from a corner of the room, with the long length of the boards crossing joist at right angles, on completing first row stagger next board so you don't have long joints.
KB

[Builderbert]

cheers kb, sorry for not responding before, been busy.
Slightly off topic can you whack down slate chippings? I've been told no but not by an expert.

[rosebery]

Personally I use 6 x 3 they are easier to handle even with a drywall prop. Don't know how I managed without the latter in the past. The plasterer won't care too much about additional taping. I can't plaster for toffee - never managed to master the skill but I've a tame one who is quite happy if I use 6 x 3s.

Use 9mm board BTW - you don't need 12.5mm for a ceiling - use plenty of drywall screws and make sure the heads are just below the surface. Otherwise the clumsy spread catches his trowel on them!!

Cheers

[kbrownie]

Not sure what you are talking about slate chippings?
Please tell more!
KB

[bleara]

How many screws should be used to hold plasterboard to the ceiling? How many is 'plenty'?
I'm replacing a plasterboard ceiling as I need to put Kingspan in the pitched roof so the screws will be long and I need to order them. I will be using 9mm board but I want to make sure that the board isn't going to fall down with the weight of plaster once it's all done !

[chris_on_tour2002]

"How many screws should be used to hold plasterboard to the ceiling? How many is 'plenty'? "

minimum every 8 inches, i use my hand span, spread fingers and place screws at the distance from tip of thumb to tip of little finger. though this is of course a rule of thumb. sorry couldn't resist.

slate chippings will just break up and shatter if you compact them - wear goggles and probably cricketers shin pads as well! not sure why you want to compact them? if you intend to use as a sub base then i'd dig them up and use something more suitable - hardcore, sand etc depending on the nature of the work.