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new ceiling over plaster

9bark | Posted in General Discussion on September 25, 2005 04:53am

I am planning to put a v-match pine ceiling over a  an old plaster and lathe ceiling. I was going to use 1x’s perpendicular to the joists for nailers but someone told me that due to the weight of the v-match i should use 2×4’s. Any thoughts, suggestions? Thanks.

Mike

 

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Replies

  1. Jer | Sep 25, 2005 05:48am | #1

    I'm assuming v-match means a v-joint type tongue and groove. If you put 2x4 firring up and then the v-joint cieling, along with the existing plaster, I would be afraid of the cieling collapsing, (well, maybe not). You're overkilling things a might. 1x2 or 1x3 firring strips screwed through the old plaster into the cieling joists will be more than adequate. You'll probably need at least a 2 1/2" screw.

    My experience with putting anything over plaster on a cieling is to take down the plaster, you can even leave the firring strips. I like putting wood to wood.

    1. 9bark | Sep 25, 2005 06:14am | #2

      Thanks for the response- I was hoping to avoid the mess and dust by leaving the plaster up. the house is a little over a hundred years old and the joists are rough sawn full dimension 2x's. What would you use for securing the tongue and groove to the furring strips?

      1. Jer | Sep 25, 2005 06:41am | #3

        If the T&G is 3/4", then I would shoot a 1/4" narrow crown staple (maybe 2") through the tongue and board at an angle as to be hidden by the next laid in board. Or you could use brads, but I always felt safer with staples if it's a cieling.

  2. Grizzly | Sep 25, 2005 06:07pm | #4

    I would take into account the existing ceiling height and how much you will lose in the application of any flooring or ceiling material. It is amazing how much an inch loss will be felt by the homeowner. Worst case scenerio: Using 2X4's plus t&g without removing plaster will lose you over 2" ceiling height. Unless you are talking 9' existing celing plus I would definately bite the bullet and remove the old ceiling. Then I would only use 1X strips to fasten. Anything over that is overkill in my opinion. I make the same consideration on ceiling height when doing flooring renovations.

    In addition if the ceiling is under the attic there won't be any vapour barrier under that plaster so removal would be advisable so you can install proper vapour barrier.

    Byron

    1. 9bark | Sep 25, 2005 11:13pm | #7

      Thanks for the info-

      I probably will end up removing the plaster mainly so i can be sure i hit each joist with the strapping. ceiling hight isn't much concern as there was a suspended ceiling about 10" below the plaster one. the tongue and groove is 3/4"

  3. mike4244 | Sep 25, 2005 07:05pm | #5

    Do the ceiling exactly like you planned. Furring strips screwed at 16" centers are fine for this application.The strips give you a chance to straighten the existing plaster if needed.I have used a 15 gauge nailer in he past but as one post said, staples might be the best choice if the boards are T&G.

    mike

    1. rez | Sep 25, 2005 09:33pm | #6

      How thick's the t&g?

      r u a feckless dastard? 

       

      1. mike4244 | Sep 26, 2005 09:23pm | #8

        You posted to the wrong person, but I imagine 3/4" or I have seen 3/8" shiplap that looks like T&G after it is installed.

        mike

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