Hello all builders!
What is the easiest and cheapest way to lower a ceiling so that downlights can be installed? I live in a condominium where both the walls and the ceiling are made of very hard concrete. I would be really happy if someone could explain in a good way how to proceed. Ha D.
What is the easiest and cheapest way to lower a ceiling so that downlights can be installed? I live in a condominium where both the walls and the ceiling are made of very hard concrete. I would be really happy if someone could explain in a good way how to proceed. Ha D.
In a condominium, there shouldn't be any problems as long as you don't affect the building's load-bearing parts.
The first thing you should do is find out which spotlights you should use, choose ones with a low installation depth. Most measurements you see pertain to distance from combustible materials. It should be possible to find out how much free space is needed for ventilation of the fixture when the overhead ceiling is concrete; this should be significantly less than the dimensions applicable for wooden ceilings.
If you visit, for example, Gyproc's website or Norgips, there are quite detailed instructions for ceiling reductions. Both method and dimensions.
The first thing you should do is find out which spotlights you should use, choose ones with a low installation depth. Most measurements you see pertain to distance from combustible materials. It should be possible to find out how much free space is needed for ventilation of the fixture when the overhead ceiling is concrete; this should be significantly less than the dimensions applicable for wooden ceilings.
If you visit, for example, Gyproc's website or Norgips, there are quite detailed instructions for ceiling reductions. Both method and dimensions.
I myself went and bought a bunch of 2"x4" studs and rented a Hilti, then mounted the studs vertically. So, I lowered the ceiling by 10cm and then nailed the panel to the studs. Worked great.
And I really recommend renting a Hilti, I wore out the first 5 holes with a regular hammer drill, it took almost 2 hours. With the Hilti, I did 20 holes in 10 minutes.
And I really recommend renting a Hilti, I wore out the first 5 holes with a regular hammer drill, it took almost 2 hours. With the Hilti, I did 20 holes in 10 minutes.
Somewhat OT but...
If you plan to live in the apartment for a while, I can recommend buying a rotary hammer. Friends and acquaintances called me an idiot when I bought the Blue one for almost 2000 bucks. Expensive machines are for houses, they said. But that machine has probably been around to everyone I know by now, and no one uses their own percussion drill anymore.
It should be added that this was before Rusta, Bauhaus, etc., so there were basically only professional machines, Blue Bosch was the cheapest I could find. In any case, I'm not sorry for it, the machine is wonderful and will follow me to the grave.
Zephir
If you plan to live in the apartment for a while, I can recommend buying a rotary hammer. Friends and acquaintances called me an idiot when I bought the Blue one for almost 2000 bucks. Expensive machines are for houses, they said. But that machine has probably been around to everyone I know by now, and no one uses their own percussion drill anymore.
It should be added that this was before Rusta, Bauhaus, etc., so there were basically only professional machines, Blue Bosch was the cheapest I could find. In any case, I'm not sorry for it, the machine is wonderful and will follow me to the grave.
Zephir
as explained earlier, attach a beam (45X70) around the walls with the distance you want to lower the ceiling. If the usual height today is 2.5m, then lower it minimally. The beams that will then lie between the walls should hang from a (pendulum) a metal strap that you attach to the ceiling, so that the new ceiling hangs from something (if it is a larger room). The number of metal straps should be determined by the size of the room. The new ceiling should of course not fall down due to its own weight.