How to replace a ceiling

This is a big job and an advanced level of skill is required to complete it but it's an essential task for re-wiring jobs where you have no access from above or if there's a hole in your ceiling which is just too big to patch up! New building regulations state that when replacing a ceiling you must also improve its thermal insulation so consider this aspect of the job before starting. Read on to find out the method you need to follow to replace a ceiling.

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Advanced

What you need

• Safety goggles
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Dust sheets
• Clamps
• Bolster hammer
• Crowbar
• Pliers
• Nails
• Wood putty
• Hammer
• Plasterboard

The steps to follow

1. Clear the room of all furniture and fittings.
2. Cover the work area with dust sheets. Tape the dust sheets all around the skirting boards.
3. Before you start the project, put on goggles, gloves, and a safety helmet.
4. Close the door to the room and open all the windows for ventilation.
5. Turn the mains power off and take down any light fixtures.
6. If the ceiling is beneath a loft area, remove all insulation material above it. Tie any electricity cables to the joists.
7. You can either hire scaffold boards or set up a working platform to help you reach the ceiling.
8. Break into the old ceiling with a bolster and hammer.
9. If the ceiling is made of lath and plaster, use a crowbar to expose the laths. 
10. Pry off the laths from the joists.
11. If the ceiling is made of plasterboard, punch a hole with a hammer and pull the board down, section by section.
12. Remove the nails and fixings that are used in holding the laths or plasterboard  in place.
13. Repeat the process until you've removed the entire ceiling.
14. Measure the area of the ceiling.
15. Take note of all the positions of the joist on the walls.
16. Use standard-sized plasterboard sheets to replace the ceiling. Decide whether you want to fit them grey side down (for plastering) or ivory side down (for direct decoration).
17. Position the first board and check that its ends fit right over a joist. Get assistance when positioning the plasterboards on the ceiling.
18. Then nail the plasterboard to each joist.
19. Fit the next sheet up against the first and skew-nail it in place.
20. Repeat steps 18-20 until the ceiling is completely covered.
21. Fill all the joints with wood putty.
22. Let the wood putty dry before smoothing the surface with fine grade sandpaper.
23. Decorate and plaster the surface.
24. Replace all ceiling light fixtures and turn on the mains power.
25. Insulate the loft above the ceiling.

Related articles

• How to plaster a ceiling
• How to paper a ceiling
• How to insulate a loft

Don't want to DIY? Get recommended builders for your home improvement job.