How can I install a heavy chandelier (10-12kg) in a 1.5cm plaster ceiling?

[LoHedman]

Hi,
The ceiling lamp my partner and I bought turned out to be heavier than expected. We live in an apartment in Amsterdam with a 1.5 cm plaster ceiling (see picture of the ventilation hole).
I've read a bit about the "plank in the ceiling method" but thought I'd ask, as I've seen how helpful and knowledgeable the group is.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Nyfniken]

Some form of rule/batten must still exist, the plasterboard does not hang freely in the air.

 

[LoHedman]

Some form of rule/beam must still exist, the plasterboard is not hanging freely in the air.

Yes, I don't know how it is positioned. Do you simply have to drill to find out?

 

[Nyfniken]

Drill with a narrow drill, knock with your knuckle or get a stud finder.

 

[jonaserik]

To make the smallest hole possible that can be filled with a dab of paint, use a metal pin like a thin bicycle spoke or thinner, tap it on the end so it becomes flat and then drill with it.

 

[Josth]

A regular ceiling box for electricity should be installed so that it can support a load of up to 15 kg on the hook at the lamp outlet.

 

[jonaserik]

A standard ceiling junction box for electricity should be installed to support a load of up to 15 kg on the hook at the light outlet.

Now, this is not in Sweden and might be an older type of installation. So, you can't refer to any regulation from Sweden there.

 

[Josth]

A thin slice of plaster ceiling sounds like relatively new construction. 15 kg with EU-approved products.

 

[LoHedman]

Thank you for the helpful answers! I will try to locate the wooden studs over the drywall. I tapped with my knuckle now and seem to hear where the nearest one is. Will drill a small hole tomorrow, as recommended.
Can you rely on a wooden stud to hold such a heavy lamp? Or is there a way to evaluate it?
Unfortunately, there is no ceiling box with a hook. I will connect it to a lamp socket without a hook that is located a meter away.

 

[Nyfniken]

15 kg are not really heavy loads. If you have real wood to screw into, you should be safe.

 

[LoHedman]

Update:
- Bought battens and decided on which beam to hang the chandelier.
- Drilled through the drywall and reached metal.

It seems like the ceiling drywall is attached to metal beams that the stud finder picked up.

The blurry pictures show what I could photograph in the ventilation hole. The last picture shows the shape the beams seem to have.

Wondering if it's even possible to solve this...

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

To make a hole as small as possible that can be sealed with a dab of paint, use a metal pin like a thin bicycle spoke or thinner, tap it at the end so it becomes flat, and drill with it.

It seems easier to use a regular 1 mm drill bit.

 

[LoHedman]

Do you mean that I should drill through the metal beam? I have metal bits for the drill.

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

No, but instead of the tip to flatten a bicycle spoke for drilling with.
How large a hole can you drill in the gypsum without it showing after the chandelier is mounted?
If you can drill a 40 mm hole, you can insert a wooden strip 20x20 mm that is maybe 20-30 cm long, and in that strip, you can screw in a regular hook for the lamp.

 

[jonaserik]

No, but instead of the tip to flatten a bicycle spoke for drilling with.

I don't know how you search for studs, but likely with some instrument, though that isn't always enough. Then you'll have to look for them manually in other ways. The method of drilling with a drill bit might be possible, but it's probably too short and might not reach a stud in the ceiling. However, perhaps you have small, fine drill bits that are about 300 mm long; I'd like to see someone drill with one of those. In that case, using a narrow rod about 1 mm wide and long works well to find where wood exists and even to drill through, which can give an indication of thickness. So before you criticize someone to appear best in the subject, think it through carefully.