Suspended plasterboard ceilings in the interior of residential premises have not been an innovation for a long time, they are still deservedly popular. There are many different ideas for decorating ceilings using plasterboard sheets. If you decide to install plasterboard ceilings, then you must take into account the disadvantages of such a finish:
- Reduced ceiling height … The suspended structure will take away from five centimeters of the total height due to the use of special profiles, therefore it is not recommended to install gypsum board in low rooms.
- Time-consuming installation process … For a beginner, the job can be challenging. It is advisable to involve an assistant in the process.
- Cracking … If improperly installed, cracks will appear at the joints of the sheets in the future.
If the height of the room allows you to equip a suspended structure, then, following our recommendations and step-by-step instructions, you can carry out the installation work yourself.
Features of the choice of drywall for the ceiling
Plasterboard sheets are divided into several varieties. Their choice depends on the operational characteristics of the room in which they will be used.
The main types of drywall:
- GKL … This is a standard sheet of gypsum board, which is lined with soft cardboard on both sides of the gypsum layer. For residential premises, it is recommended to use sheets with a thickness of 9, 5 mm. This will lighten the weight of the ceiling structure.
- GKLO … Fire-resistant gypsum plasterboard. As a rule, it is used for finishing industrial premises.
- GKLV … Waterproof drywall sheet. It is used for finishing ceilings and walls in bathrooms, kitchens. It is important that the front surface is protected with ceramic tiles, waterproof paint or primer.
- GKLVO … Fireproof moisture resistant drywall sheet. Combines the properties of GKLO and GKLV.
- GVL … Gypsum fiber sheet. Such sheets are not pasted over with cardboard, but gypsum is reinforced with special cellulose waste paper. These are sheets of increased hardness, resistant to fire. Can be used for finishing ceilings in kitchens.
- GVLV … Moisture resistant gypsum fiber sheets.
Selection of materials and tools for mounting a plasterboard ceiling
To make a plasterboard ceiling with our own hands, we need a list of special tools and materials:
- Profiles … Guides (ud) and carriers (cd). It is better to give preference to products from trusted manufacturers and suppliers. The use of substandard products may cause the coating to sag.
- Drywall … For the ceiling, sheets with a thickness of 8 to 9.5 mm are suitable (12 mm products are used for wall cladding). Ordinary drywall is available in gray, moisture resistant - green, fireproof - red. The latter is distinguished by a relatively high cost, therefore, it is practically not used for installation in residential apartments. You need to buy material with a margin of 3-5%, since overruns are possible due to the thickness of the cuts.
- Sealant … This is a special 30 mm self-adhesive tape with a porous structure. It is used to fix the frame of the false ceiling and enhances the sound insulation properties.
- Fasteners … You need to stock up on: U-shaped brackets, crab connectors of bearing profiles, self-tapping screws 25 * 3.5 mm, 8, 5 * 3.5 mm, hammer-in or expansion dowels from 6 * 40 mm to 6 * 60 mm. If moisture-resistant sheets are installed, then it is better to choose galvanized fasteners. They do not corrode under the influence of high humidity.
As for the tools, in the process you will need a hydro level, and it is undesirable to use the bubble level, since the measurement of one wall will take a long time. It is optimal to use a laser, but since its price is quite high, a water one with two vessels with water and a painter's thread is also suitable. You also need a knife for cutting drywall, a screwdriver and a hammer drill.
Preparatory work before installing a plasterboard ceiling
Before starting work, you need to prepare the surface of the ceiling, for this:
- We clean the ceiling from the old finishing layer.
- We remove stains of mildew, mold, rust, grease and soot. This can be done with special antiseptics.
- Sealing large cracks with a cement-based filler.
- We prime the coating with a composition with antiseptic components. This is a mandatory procedure. Otherwise, stains will appear on the false ceiling in the future.
When the surface is completely ready and the primer is dry, it is necessary to de-energize the room - and you can proceed directly to the installation. Please note that you may need protective goggles, gloves, and a respirator. You need to stock up on them in advance.
Surface marking technology for mounting drywall on the ceiling
To carry out work on marking, you will need a level, a chopping cord and a tape measure.
We work in the following sequence:
- Using a tape measure, we measure the corners of the room.
- In the lowest corner we measure 5 cm from the ceiling and make a mark. If you plan to install lamps, then measure out 8 cm.
- With the help of the building level, we make marks in the same plane for the rest of the corners.
- We pull the paint cord between the points and beat off the lines around the perimeter of the room.
- We measure 10 cm from the edges of the guide profile and, if necessary, make holes. If they already exist, then we skip this item.
- We apply the guide profile to the wall in such a way that its lower edge is level with the skipping line.
- We make marks on the wall through the holes in the profile with a simple pencil.
- We drill holes for fasteners with a puncher on the marks made.
- We glue the sealant to the profile and fix it to the wall using three to five dowels.
- We mark the ceiling profiles in 40 cm increments. Since one sheet is 1 meter 20 cm wide, this arrangement of the profiles will allow it to be fixed at the edges and in the middle.
- We also beat off with a cord the transverse lines with a step of 0.5 m. Thus, in any case, the jumper will be located at the junction of the sheets, the length of which corresponds to 2.5 meters as standard.
- We install the first row of suspensions twice as close to the wall, at a distance of 0.25 m.
- We set the second row at a distance of 0.5 m from the first (0.75 m from the wall). Then we continue with a half-meter step.
- We apply the ceiling suspension on the marked lines and make two marks for the fasteners through the profile holes.
Note that when drilling the holes for the fasteners, you will need goggles and a respirator as dust is usually generated.
Rules for installing a frame for a plasterboard ceiling
The strength, rigidity and reliability of the structure directly depends on this stage, therefore you should be extremely careful.
In the process, we adhere to the following instructions:
- We attach a sealant to the suspensions.
- Using anchors, we fix the suspensions and bend the edges to the maximum deflection.
- Cooking ceiling profiles. Their standard length is 3 meters. If the room is smaller, then the products are cut with special scissors 1 cm shorter than the length of the ceiling. For large rooms, we build up the profile using a special connecting fastener.
- We begin to fix the profile from the corner using four self-tapping screws with press washers. At the same time, the assistant holds the profile positioned diagonally to prevent deflections.
- We fix the ceiling profile to the guide using self-tapping screws without a drill.
- After fixing in the corners, we fix the center of the profiles on the suspensions. At this stage, be sure to check the position using a long level.
- When the suspensions are fixed, bend up the excess length of the edges.
- Using the same instructions, install the second profile.
- We install two profiles on the opposite side in this way.
- We fix the rest of the ceiling profiles in the center with support on the already mounted ones.
- In the place of the future joint of the sheets, we fix the jumpers using special single-level fasteners. We fix the crabs with four self-tapping screws.
- We cut the lintels from the ceiling profile.
- We attach the prepared products to the crab using four self-tapping screws, bending the antennae.
- To isolate the ceiling, we cut pieces of rolled insulation into the gaps between the profiles a few centimeters larger than the recess. The best option for these purposes is mineral wool. It differs not only in thermal insulation characteristics, but also provides good noise absorption.
- We insert the parts, slightly squeezing into the inter-profile gaps. Please note that when working with this material, you must use a respirator and gloves. The thickness of the insulation should be less than the thickness of the profile.
Please note that when building up the ceiling profile, the joints of a number of fixed parts must be in different planes and be located near the suspensions.
Instructions for fixing drywall to the ceiling
Before making a plasterboard ceiling, the material must be adapted to the temperature and humidity conditions in the room. Therefore, he is left to lie in the room for several days. Please note that it is stored exclusively in a horizontal position.
We carry out installation work as follows:
- We lay all communications. We place the wires in a special corrugated hose, attach the pipes to the walls between the ceiling and the suspended structure or directly to the base surface. Communication parts must not hang or put pressure on the suspended ceiling. In the places where lighting devices are installed, we draw conclusions. If spot lighting is planned, then we install the lamp stands.
- Bevel the drywall sheet. To do this, cut the edges with a special knife at an angle. This must be done to improve the penetration of the putty into the gap. The glued ends already have a chamfer, therefore we do not process them.
- We fix the first sheet in the corner with self-tapping screws with a step of 20 cm, deepening the caps into the base. The distance from the edges should be 1-1.5 cm. It is important to place fasteners on adjacent sheets in a different plane.
- Attach the second sheet with a shift of one or two cells. It must be attached to wall and ceiling guides around the perimeter of the square and in the middle.
- We leave a gap of 1.5-2 mm along the perimeter of each sheet.
Please note that the joining of sheets should be carried out at a distance of 10 cm from the outer corners, if there are any in the room. Otherwise, a crack will form at the joint.
Technique for filling joints on a plasterboard ceiling
One of the main stages in the installation of a plasterboard ceiling is the putty of the joints.
It is carried out according to the following instructions:
- Impregnate the joints with an acrylate-based primer.
- After the primer layer has dried, we dilute the putty mixture. For these purposes, you can use a gypsum composition.
- We fill the seams near the walls with putty and level them with a wide spatula.
- We repeat the procedure for the gaps between the sheets and the fastener caps.
- After the putty has dried, we glue the serpyanka tape to the joints and cover it with putty. A corner trowel is ideal for working in corners.
- If desired, in order to strengthen the coating and prevent the appearance of cracks in the future, we glue the surface with fiberglass. To do this, glue the first square with PVA and hold it until it grabs.
- We fix the second with a slight overlap. We wait a few minutes and draw a line at the joints with a clerical knife, removing unnecessary details.
- Apply a layer of finishing putty. Its thickness should not exceed 1.5 cm. To do this, collect the mixture with a small spatula and apply it along the blade of a large (worker). Put putty on the ceiling.
- After drying, rub all the irregularities with fine-grained sanding paper.
- We remove dust with a dry sponge or vacuum cleaner.
- We prime the surface with an acrylic compound to improve adhesion to the further facing layer.
After that, you can start finishing the false ceiling. If desired, it can be painted, pasted over with wallpaper or decorated in any way you like.
Often, several lighting sources are used in the design of suspended structures. To understand the question of how to make a backlit plasterboard ceiling, you must first understand the principles and specifics of installing a conventional structure (fastening methods, marking rules, specifics of material selection). On this basis, it is already easier to organize original lighting, emphasizing the uniqueness and solidity of the interior. How to make a plasterboard ceiling - watch the video:
Detailed and step-by-step instructions will help you complete the work yourself, without resorting to the services of builders. Please note, be sure to adhere to each point and fulfill all requirements as accurately as possible. Only in this case, the structure will turn out to be smooth, durable and will look aesthetically pleasing.
