Covering the wooden ceiling with plasterboard: this is how you screw panels onto plasterboard

Old wooden ceilings have their charm, but they often look a bit conservative or they require an elaborate refurbishment. As an alternative to demolition, you can design wooden ceilings with plasterboard. You get a smooth ceiling that you can paint or cover with wallpaper. The effort is low and the costs are moderate, so you should include this alternative to demolition in your considerations.

Note the height of the wooden ceilings

If you plan to cover the wooden ceilings with plasterboard, you should take into account in advance that this will reduce the height of the ceilings. This is particularly serious if there is insulation under the wooden ceiling, which is quite common, especially in older houses. If the room is already very low by attaching the wooden paneling to the ceiling, you should take into account that the height will be reduced by another centimeter. This plays a subordinate role for the habitability of the room. However, if you have installed cupboards that reach the ceiling, this furniture may be no longer fit into the room after the cladding and can be shortened or set up in another room have to.

Check the durability of the substructure

Rigips panels have a low dead weight, but still have a total weight of 7.5 kg to 10 kg per square meter. Before deciding to design the ceiling with plasterboard, you should check whether the substructure can hold this weight. It must be avoided under all circumstances that the construction falls from the ceiling again because it does not get sufficient support.

Check the condition of the wooden panels

It is very important that you check the condition of the wooden panels. Before you invest in plasterboard, it is very important that you take a close look at the nature of the wood. It is recommended that when in doubt, seek the judgment of a professional. If the wood is moldy or has become porous due to the infestation with woodworms, cladding makes little sense because it could become unstable. You should only choose a cladding if the wood is in optimal condition and has a high ability to hold its weight.

Formation of condensation under the wooden panels

Often times, if you seek advice from a professional, they will recommend that you remove the wooden ceiling. The reason for this is that the wall structure changes when the plasterboard is attached. Condensation can form. This condensation water attacks the wood, but also the walls. After a few years you will notice unsightly stains and have to remove the entire structure again. Before cladding the ceiling, examine the walls for damp spots and, if necessary, look for the cause. If the ceiling or the adjoining wall have damp spots, you must dry them out before you start cladding.

Wood as a natural raw material

Wood is a natural raw material that works. As a result, cracks may appear in the plasterboard construction over time. If you have covered the ceiling with wallpaper, these cracks can become visible. There is not much you can do about the changes in the wood. If the ceiling is very dry and porous, it helps to apply an oil or paint before the cladding to close the pores a little. This will help prevent cracks from forming in your new ceiling.

Check the fastening of the ceiling panels

Checking the stability of the wooden ceiling is very important. The wood can be screwed to the ceiling, which is very stable. Here you can make the cladding without hesitation. However, if the wood is only attached to the ceiling with small clamps and not screwed, it is recommended that you fix the wood with screws before you fix the plasterboard.

Calculate the need for work materials

Before you can begin the actual cladding of the wooden ceilings, it is important that you determine the requirements for work materials. To do this, measure the length and width of the wooden ceiling and calculate the area in square meters that you want to cover. Rigips panels are available in various dimensions. In this way, you can adapt the requirements very well to your project and do not have too much waste.

You will also need screws for the cladding, the length of which should be such that the plasterboard is securely attached to the ceiling. Dowels are not necessary because plasterboard is a soft material into which you can screw the screws directly.

Have tools ready for the cladding

It is a good idea to have the tools ready before you start working. This saves you time because you have everything you need right at hand. You will need the following tools to work on the ceiling:
For cutting the plasterboard:

• Cutter knife or small circular saw
• large table or trestle table
• Tape measure, ruler and pencil

To attach the plasterboard to the ceiling:

• safe ladder
• Screwdriver or
• Cordless screwdriver

It is recommended if you use a powerful cordless screwdriver. Depending on the size of the blanket, you will work with your hands raised for several hours. Screwing the panels together by hand can be very tiring.

Cutting the plasterboard to size

In most cases it will be necessary to cut the plasterboard to size. It is an advantage if you carry out this work step before you start the actual fastening. If possible, consider doing the crop outdoors, in a garage, or in a workshop. When cutting, a light-colored dust forms that is deposited on the furniture, if you make the cut directly in the room in which you want to design the ceiling. Screwing the panels to the ceiling wood does not leave any residue, so that you do not necessarily have to move the furniture out of the room.
The cut:

1. Calculate the required length and width of the individual panels, based on the ceiling size

2. Draw a mark on the cutting edge

3. Make the cut

It is an advantage if you mark the later position of the individual panels. You can use numbers for this. This is especially true if the ceiling is not completely straight, which is particularly common in older houses. Then for the cladding you will need panels with a special cut. You can find them more easily if they are marked with a number.

Screw the plasterboard to the wooden ceiling

Start at one corner of the room and work your way up to the other corner of the room, piece by piece, with the cut sheets. It is recommended that you set a screw about every ten centimeters to ensure that the structure is held firmly in place. Make sure that you place the plasterboard edge to edge. There should be no unsightly gap between two panels.

Grouting abutting edges

After attaching the panels, you will see that visible abutting edges have formed. This cannot be avoided due to the slightly curved shape of the plasterboard. Seal these abutting edges with plaster of paris. This results in a uniform, smooth ceiling construction.

Cover the corners of the room with end strips

At the corners of the room there can be unsightly joints that arise from cutting the plasterboard. If you want a uniform construction, choose the attachment of end strips. These are attached to the ceiling with small nails and are available in many different designs. This gives you a uniform ceiling construction that also looks very appealing.

Design of the new ceiling

Once you have completed the work on the ceiling, you will receive a uniform and smooth white surface that you can now design according to your preferences. Rigips can be covered very well with wallpaper. You use classic wallpaper paste that bonds perfectly with the surface of the plasterboard. This makes wallpapering very easy.
Alternatively, you can also paint your new ceiling. However, if you choose this option, it is important that you have perfectly closed the joints. Bumps would be clearly visible under the paint, while disappearing under the wallpaper. The combination of a woodchip wallpaper and a coat of paint is of course also possible.