Yes, Boards are usually fitted at right angles to the ceiling joists. The joists are usually fitted with spacings that will fit dofferent sizes of plasterboards. For eg, joists fitted at 400mm centres will work well with 8×4 plasterboards sheets and spacings of 450mm will work well with 6×3 plasterboards.

Naturally this will not always be the case, so yes, any unsupported ends need noggins or the board should be cut halfway on the joist.

Hope this helps

Kirk
4K

Very helpful thread and an interesting blog. I am thinking of tackling a bedroom ceiling soon.

Just wanted to check the orientation of the boards, they go right angles to the joists, right? also does this mean that some of the edge joins will meet inbetween joists, and therefore be unstable without noggins?

many thanks

Reece

If your garage ceiling is framed out of timber, as most garages are, then you would fit the plasterboard by either nailing with plate or plasterboard nails. You can also screw them in as well with drywall screws. You don’t need to use a nail gun for fitting plasterboard to joists. A good cordless screwdriver will do the trick or the good old hammer.

Buy small boards if you are working by yourself and if need be use a prop (deadman) or other supports to hold the plasterboard in place whilst you secure the boards. The boards should be fitted at right angles to the joists and staggered. Before plastering them you will need to apply scrim tape to stop cracking etc.

Hope this helps

Kirk
4K Construction

I need to do the ceiling in my garage. I have all the plasternoards ready, but not sure how to put them on.

Can I use a nail gun? If so, which gun is good and which nails shall I use?

Please help.

Kind regards
Marlin

Fire resistant board is required in any situation where there is a chance of fire damage in a premises and would cause an excessive burn rate. On a kitchen ceiling for example, or as I understand it, it is now a requirement to use fireline board on the ceilings in muliti occupancy properties like flats. By using fireline plasterboard, the burn rate would be slowed down allowing more time for the structure to not to collapse.

Fireline plasterboard is easily identified as the paper backing colour is pink and it is usually 12.5 mm thick. There are situations however, when it will be a requirement to fit inch thick plasterboard. Our company recently fitted out a large commercial development here in the Northwest, and in the kitchen area, the local building inspectors insisted on inch thick board.

If you are in any doubt you can always call your local BCO, who will be pleased to help!

Hope this helps Sarah and great to have you visit 4K Builder’s Talk

Kirk

We’re about to board over a plaster ceiling (needs to be quite thin board as there are floor-to-ceiling cupboards) but our builder has told us we need to use fire resistant board to meet the building regs. Is this right? And how much more expensive is fireboard than the normal stuff?

Thanks

Welcome to 4K Builder’s Talk!

You can plasterboard over almost any ceiling providing the surface is flat enough to receive the boards and you can find the ceiling joists to screw the new board to.

However, if the building you live in is a multi occupancy premises, in flats etc, you may need to check with the freeholder, landlord or building regulations dept regarding putting in the spotlights as there may be a health and safety restriction in doing so due to the heat produced from the lights.

Worth checking the regs on this before you proceed!

Kirk

4K Construction.

Thanks for the information. I am considering this as a solution to my ceiling problem. I live in a flat (1st floor) and I want to plaster over the Artex and cracks and also put in spotlights. Can i follow the method above?

Sorry for the late reply but we’ve been really hectic on site lately.

Yes, you can just screw platerboard over the existing ceiling. You will have to use approx 50mm screws depending on the depth of the existing plaster on the ceiling and the new board you are putting up. You will want to find the existing joists and nail the new board up to those.

I doubt a decorator will want to do this but you can always enquire. Probably best suited to a plasterer or builder.

Are you in the Northwest?

If you are local we would be more than happy to take a look at this for you.

Regards

Kirk Smith (FMB)
4K Construction