When the ceiling is damaged, its condition affects the overall appearance of the room, regardless of the interior decor style. Even if you cover it with ceiling tiles, the result often leaves much to be desired.

On the other hand, installing a plasterboard ceiling has countless advantages. Also known as a suspended ceiling, this structure is very trendy right now. It brings a touch of modernity to the home.

The benefits of a plasterboard ceiling do not stop there. The installation also offers better thermal and sound insulation. Compared to traditional plaster, plasterboard is less expensive to purchase.

Many people want to use it on the ceiling but do not know how to proceed with its installation. If you are one of them, this article provides details on the different steps to follow.

How to install plasterboard on the ceiling yourself?

Even if you are a weekend handyman, you can very well carry out the installation of plasterboard ceiling panels on your own. Of course, it is necessary to equip yourself properly. Some tools are essential to help you work efficiently and faster.

Among the most used accessories and equipment, hangers play a key role in fixing the plasterboard panels to the ceiling.

Also, a panel lifter allows you to bring them up to height, thanks to its telescopic arms and platform.

Besides that, you need a spirit level, a mason’s ruler, a cordless drill, a tape measure, and many others. Once gathered, start by taking measurements.

Once this step is done, draw two horizontal lines on the walls with a spirit level and a ruler. This defines the position of the corner beads and the height of the plasterboard panel or drywall. Then, install the hangers. These metal tools ensure the anchoring of the plasterboard to the ceiling.

That said, proceed with the installation of the corner beads and then the rails. All that remains is to place the plasterboard panels.

As for finishing, you can use a filler compound to cover the joints and screw heads. The finishing compound also provides a very aesthetic result.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using plasterboard for ceilings?

Aspect	Advantages of drywall ceiling	Disadvantages of drywall ceiling
Installation	Lightweight material and easy to handle, even for non-professionals	Installation reduces ceiling height, which can make the room appear narrower visually
Insulation	Good thermal and sound insulation, with the possibility of adding additional insulation	May require extra insulation to achieve optimal comfort
Aesthetic	Modern and clean look, compatible with recessed spotlights and ceiling lights	Less character than a wooden or noble material ceiling
Functional	Allows hiding a damaged ceiling, pipes, or technical ducts	Can complicate access to hidden technical elements during maintenance
Health and safety	Reliable material, odorless and free of allergenic or harmful substances	Less resistant to impacts or moisture than some alternative materials
Budget	Economical solution for purchase and installation, suitable for all budgets	Limited durability compared to a more robust traditional ceiling

The suspended self-supporting ceiling is generally made from plasterboard panels. Also called drywall or placo, this material is highly favored by professionals due to its many strengths.

Its lightness is one of them. Thanks to this characteristic, it is easy to work with. Installing drywall ceiling panels is child’s play, unlike installing a suspended ceiling made of wood or PVC. You do not have to hire a professional. You can do it yourself.  

Besides that, its good thermal and sound insulation is among the advantages of drywall ceilings. The material can reduce noise and retain heat. In any case, nothing prevents you from adding additional insulation to enhance comfort at home.

Regarding aesthetics, many households install a suspended self-supporting ceiling to bring a fresh touch to the room. It is pleasant to look at with recessed spotlights or ceiling lights.

The drywall ceiling panels also allow hiding a damaged ceiling. It is very useful for concealing pipes or technical ducts.

If you plan to install it in your children’s bedroom, know that plasterboard panels or placo are among reliable materials. Unlike others, they have no odor. Moreover, they do not emit any allergenic or harmful substances to humans.

As for the price of drywall ceiling or suspended ceiling, this installation suits all budgets. It is not expensive to buy or install.

Regarding its disadvantages, its installation reduces the height below the ceiling. Consequently, this makes the room appear visually narrower.

In terms of durability, drywall ceilings do not match traditional ceilings. Although affordable, they do not seem robust.

What types of drywall are available for ceilings and what is the best choice for my project?

• BA6 plasterboard panel: The BA6 plasterboard panel can be used for a suspended self-supporting ceiling. It is not only flexible but also thin. However, it must be admitted that it seems not very resistant.
• BA10 plasterboard panel: As for the BA10 plasterboard panel, it is mainly used to cover walls, but not ceilings.
• Water-resistant drywall: Water-resistant drywall tolerates moisture. Consequently, it is perfect for bathroom ceilings.
• BA15 plasterboard: Regarding BA15, this plasterboard is fire and odor resistant. It is therefore suitable for the kitchen.
• BA13 plasterboard: If you want to know the best option, the BA13 plasterboard ceiling board is preferred. This standard model is both less expensive and lighter. In this sense, its installation can always be easy.
• Request for advice: If you have difficulty deciding on the plasterboard ceiling board, it is best to seek advice from a professional.
• Preliminary information: In the meantime, consider informing yourself about the different functional plasterboards and the advantages of plasterboard ceilings.

In the meantime, consider informing yourself about the different functional plasterboards and the advantages of plasterboard ceilings.

How to choose the right thickness of plasterboard for my ceiling?

Just like length and width, the thickness of plasterboard ceiling panels is not chosen at random. The correct value guarantees the quality and strength of the installation.

Professionals recommend a plasterboard or a plasterboard panel 250 cm long, 120 cm wide with 13 mm or 12.5 mm thickness.

This is a standard plasterboard BA 13 which is suitable not only for mounting a suspended ceiling model but also for walls and partitions.

With the metal framework, this type of plasterboard panels offers a fairly robust base compared to thinner plasterboard.

It should be noted that there are many sizes of plasterboard available on the market. If you choose a 6 mm thick panel, it is often used for curved partitions and decoration.

A 10 mm thick plasterboard panel is ideal for minor renovation work. Specialists opt for a 15 mm thick plasterboard for doubling on rails or for major partitions.

How to repair cracks or holes in a plasterboard ceiling?

As mentioned above, the plasterboard ceiling seems less solid compared to other ceiling models made of wood fibers or PVC fabric. If the joints or panels are poorly installed, it undoubtedly causes cracks.

To restore the plasterboard ceiling, first prepare the material. Scrape the ceiling paint to help you clearly identify the hole. Then, brush and wipe with a damp sponge.

Once the area is clean, fill it with a layer of plaster using a spatula. It is recommended to use a coarse filler. Be sure to respect the drying time.

For finishing, use a high-quality filler with a smoother texture. It provides a smooth surface ready to receive ceiling paint.

What type of insulation is best suited for a plasterboard ceiling?

Just like windows, the ceiling is the part that causes most of the heat loss in the house. Insulating it helps you save energy by regulating the indoor temperature.

Using a good insulator not only improves the comfort of the home but also helps reduce noise pollution. Fortunately, plasterboard sheets offer excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.

This feature is among the advantages of plasterboard ceilings. Even better, it is important to highlight that the price of plasterboard ceiling insulation is attractive.

If you choose natural insulators, you have options such as cellulose wadding, wool, expanded cork, and hemp.

For synthetic insulators, there is expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, and extruded polystyrene.

Besides that, you can opt for mineral insulators such as glass wool, cellular glass, and rock wool.

How long does it take to install a plasterboard ceiling?

To estimate the suspended ceiling price, it is essential to define the duration of the installation work. When the professional prepares the plasterboard ceiling quote, they consider numerous factors including the time needed for the ceiling installation.

Generally, the team manages to install the plasterboard ceiling sheets in 2 to 4 days for a 100 m² home. Painting the ceiling is not included.

As mentioned above, the installation of this ceiling can be done without an expert’s intervention.

However, you should entrust it to a specialist if you want to save time and achieve excellent results.

What is the average cost of installing a plasterboard ceiling by a professional?

The plasterboard ceiling price depends on several parameters such as the condition of the support, the addition of technical elements, finishes, insulation, the type of plasterboard, and the surface area to cover. These different criteria are analyzed by the professional when preparing the plasterboard ceiling quote.

Generally, the average cost of a suspended ceiling ranges between 39 to 105 euros. But for plasterboard ceilings, the price can especially vary depending on the category of plasterboard.

As for standard plasterboard, the average price per m2 is between 9 to 15 euros excluding installation. For water-resistant plasterboard and acoustic plasterboard, the average price per m2 without installation ranges between 14 to 22 euros. Naturally, the cost increases when installation is included in the quote.