Vaulted ceiling, types of vaults, preparation for work, fabrication of the frame of the structure and its sheathing with plasterboard sheets. The idea of vaulted ceilings is realized using tension or suspended structures. The first option can only be performed by specialists, and a suspended ceiling with a vault can be made independently.
Preparatory work before installing a vaulted plasterboard ceiling
A vaulted ceiling in a house or apartment can be constructed from plasterboard sheets. This work is not easy, but with the availability of quality tools, materials and detailed instructions, it is quite doable.
The vault in our example will look like an arched structure. Before installing it, it is necessary to decide which of the premises will be subject to such design.
This is important first of all when choosing a material: for the ceilings of rooms with high humidity (kitchen, bathroom), it is worth buying moisture-resistant gypsum board, ordinary sheets are suitable for living rooms.
The work should start by drawing a sketch of the ellipse. This process is key, since the correct shape of the vault will depend on it. Its arched structure should be carried out before finishing the room. For its installation you will need: plasterboard sheets, metal profiles and guides, screws and a frame made of aluminum supports.
Production of a frame for a vaulted ceiling from gypsum plasterboard
As already mentioned, first of all, you need to apply the contour of the arch, which is to be made from gypsum plasterboard. It is necessary to make sure that the completed lines are clearly visible, since it is on them that the aluminum frame will be laid. For bending, the profile should be cut every 15 cm using metal scissors. In order to avoid cuts on the edges of the profile, it is recommended to carry out this work with protective gloves.
The profile bent along the outlined line must be fixed with self-tapping screws. Before this, in the concrete ceiling, it is necessary to make holes with a puncher, insert the dowels, and then screw the screws into them that fix the frame elements.
When making a semicircular ceiling on a plank base, you need to mark the location of the structure and lay out metal elements along its contour, fixing them with self-tapping screws. The fasteners should be screwed into rectangular pieces 2.5 cm wide in 15 cm increments. It is recommended to make holes in the ceiling in advance before installing the elements on a horizontal plane.
Then you need to mount the vertical edge of the vaulted ceiling. To perform this operation, you need to cut the gypsum board into pieces of the desired size and fix them on the profile. To make a simple ceiling arch from a plasterboard sheet, it is enough to cut off a strip w. 15 cm. However, if the room has a high ceiling, a wider plank can be used.
After that, the plasterboard strip should be fixed to the metal on self-tapping screws using a screwdriver, the fastening pitch is 15 cm. Starting the installation of each subsequent part, you must make sure that it is located at the same height with the previous element and fits snugly against the installed frame elements. Work should be continued until the installation of all vertical parts of the arch is completed. Particular attention should be paid to the processing of the edges of the workpieces; the appearance of the structure will depend on its quality.
Then you can start installing the frame. To do this, another aluminum support should be placed on the lower edge of the arch, which must first be bent by cutting its shelves with metal scissors. Fastening is carried out in the same way as described above with a step of 15 cm.
Next, you need to install a metal profile on the opposite wall. Its placement should be parallel to the previously installed profile. The installation should be monitored using a laser or water level.
To strengthen the structure, metal lintels connecting them should be installed between the two profiles. Installation of these frame parts is carried out with a step of 0.5 m from each other. In this case, the dimensions of the workpieces from the gypsum board should be taken into account: the jumpers should be at the joints of the sheets for the convenience of their future fasteners.
The transverse profiles should be fixed to the base ceiling using metal hangers. For every 60 cm of arch width, one hanger is required for each profile. In addition, they need to be fixed to the supports using a screwdriver and small self-tapping screws for metal. The lintels should be positioned perpendicular to the wall to which they are attached.
Plasterboard covering of the vaulted ceiling frame
After checking the installation of all frame elements using a level, you can plaster the structure with plasterboard sheets. They should be fixed to the profiles, pre-cutting in accordance with the curvature of the arch. The step of fastening with self-tapping screws is 15 cm.
When forming a curved structure from gypsum board, slight gaps between the sheets may appear. There is no need to worry about this: all the cracks can then be sealed with a serpentine tape and repaired with plaster putty.
Electrical wiring under the ceiling lighting should be installed during the framing phase. Before installation, on the gypsum plasterboard sheets, mark the placement of the lamps, cut out the corresponding holes and, during the sheathing process, bring the ends of the cables through them for connection.
After completing the installation of the entire structure, you can putty the joints of the gypsum board, and then the final finishing of the arch.
How to make a vaulted ceiling - watch the video:
The work on the manufacture of such a coating is not particularly difficult. You should only follow the recommendations and for clarity, familiarize yourself with the photos of vaulted ceilings posted in the catalogs. Good luck!
