DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hello all,

Have a large open plan barn conversion in France nearing completion and thinking about wall and ceiling surfaces. The main room is 130 sq. m with a 6m high ridge.

The walls are new, block cavity: bone dry. In order to 'break up' the huge walls, they have been 'framed' with 4" x 4" rustic oak to create a sort of Tudor framed look. Our intention is to fix plasterboard with 70mm bonded insulation inside the frames and then brush on Artex to create a rough, rustic look? Is there a better option?

With regard to the ceiling, we intend to put fibreglass insulation between the rafters (4 x 2) so 4" thick and then fix the same plasterboard (with 70mm thick bonded insulation) to the rafters. My concern is he length of screws that will be needed - at least 100 mm - is this OK? There is a top quality, permeable membrane beneath the tiles by the way.

Any advice or comments would be much appreciated.

screwing the insulated plasterboard to the wall is not the best idea.
You can fix 50mmx50mm batten to the wall first then drytherm insulation,staple polythene over the top then plasterboard.
For the ceilings use 100mm celotex or kingspan insulation in between the rafters then screw the plasterboard to the timber.
The finish you want can be done using ordinary plaster,just trowel it on and level out the lines and let it set.

Many thanks again; much appreciated.

Since it is the first and only coat of plaster, which do I use - Multifinish?

It dosent really matter,for best effect use a plastic trowel to apply it,and just take your time, as its not important to have the wall flat and level, you have time to perfect your technique