Member
· Västra Götaland
· 790 posts
Anyone familiar with a sensible guide on how to install a ceiling with spots?
I heard about a trick where you install the spots in the joists, and that sounded very smart.
But regardless, I would like to know a bit more before I get started. I have the basics clear, but it feels unnecessary to reinvent the wheel.
Tips are gratefully received!
I heard about a trick where you install the spots in the joists, and that sounded very smart.
But regardless, I would like to know a bit more before I get started. I have the basics clear, but it feels unnecessary to reinvent the wheel.
Tips are gratefully received!
What type of ceiling is it (plaster, plasterboard, panel)?
What type of spotlights are they (LED, 10W, 20W, 35W, 50W halogen, 220V or 12V)?
What do you have in the ceiling (insulation? Sawdust?)
Typically, you would screw on a sparse cc30 and then install the ceiling material.
Regardless, I think it's best to install cans to future-proof, which allows you to install almost any type of spotlight.
What type of spotlights are they (LED, 10W, 20W, 35W, 50W halogen, 220V or 12V)?
What do you have in the ceiling (insulation? Sawdust?)
Typically, you would screw on a sparse cc30 and then install the ceiling material.
Regardless, I think it's best to install cans to future-proof, which allows you to install almost any type of spotlight.
Member
· Västra Götaland
· 790 posts
Good questions! 
- Currently, there is no ceiling. That's what I am going to install (I may have been a bit unclear; it's not just spots that will be installed, but an entirely new ceiling with joists and everything). I'm thinking of using 45 mm joists and plasterboard.
- The ceiling is concrete (semi-detached house built in 1981).
- The spotlights haven't been purchased yet. A lot has happened with LED in the past year, so I will likely go with that. Dimmable with "halogen-like" light is what I want.
So, nothing is decided, and before I start, I want to know the best way to build a ceiling!
- Currently, there is no ceiling. That's what I am going to install (I may have been a bit unclear; it's not just spots that will be installed, but an entirely new ceiling with joists and everything). I'm thinking of using 45 mm joists and plasterboard.
- The ceiling is concrete (semi-detached house built in 1981).
- The spotlights haven't been purchased yet. A lot has happened with LED in the past year, so I will likely go with that. Dimmable with "halogen-like" light is what I want.
So, nothing is decided, and before I start, I want to know the best way to build a ceiling!
I seem to have forgotten that there are concrete roofs too :blushing:
Since it is non-combustible, it should be possible to use any type of spotlights as long as they are a bit away from the joists (due to the heat).
Since it is non-combustible, it should be possible to use any type of spotlights as long as they are a bit away from the joists (due to the heat).
What is so smart about placing the spotlights in the stud? Ours are in the ceiling panel, which was very simple, just cutting a hole with a hole saw.
Put pots in the holes so you or someone else can freely choose among the spotlights later, you never know what the market will look like next time. It's a small job in the context to put in the pots.
In a basement, I would probably use metal studs, as they won't be so sensitive to the heat from the spotlights either.
Put pots in the holes so you or someone else can freely choose among the spotlights later, you never know what the market will look like next time. It's a small job in the context to put in the pots.
In a basement, I would probably use metal studs, as they won't be so sensitive to the heat from the spotlights either.
Member
· Västra Götaland
· 790 posts
Why it was smart to set them in the beams I don't remember now. It sounded very good when I heard about it... Could it be that you avoid having a distance from the ceiling if you instead attach it to the beam? Yes, as I said, it sounded good...
Apart from that? Any good tips regarding the rest of the actual construction? Beams, plasterboard, plasterboard lift, spackle, etc... There must be some pitfalls you can fall into if you're not careful, right?
Apart from that? Any good tips regarding the rest of the actual construction? Beams, plasterboard, plasterboard lift, spackle, etc... There must be some pitfalls you can fall into if you're not careful, right?
Spotlights are typically made to be installed in boards; if they are too close to a beam, it will just cause trouble getting them to attach. So, putting them in beams is directly foolish.
For halogen spotlights, they must have an approved distance from combustible materials. Often 50 - 100 mm sideways, and 150 - 200 mm upward. Upward is not an issue when it's a concrete ceiling, but it’s important to keep them from any beams.
Overall, I think you should start by selecting spotlights that provide enough light, have a reasonable color of light, can be dimmed, etc.
Then plan where they will sit, where any transformers or LED drivers should be located (in many cases, a maximum of 2m from the transformer to the spotlight is allowed). After that, you can start considering how much you should lower the ceiling, how it should be framed, etc.
As for construction techniques, there are good detailed instructions from the gypsum board manufacturers on their websites. I believe Norgips has the most accessible instructions, but I have also looked at Gyproc and Danogips. As mentioned, there are many things to consider according to their documents. I recall that the Norgips PDF file was 250 pages. There should be a sparse panel on cc30 (according to some, cc40 suffices, but then you must also frame "crosswise" along the edges).
A plaster lift simplifies the work from being overly arduous to being really fun. Renting a plaster lift over a weekend is very cheap. Some building stores even lend them out for free, I've heard. A small detail, you should chamfer the short sides of the boards (the sides that are not recessed) with a knife, about 5mm. This is for the sake of plastering. It's much easier if you do it before installation.
In other words, when you start, read the ENTIRE instruction from the gypsum manufacturer first, from methods for ceiling framing to how it should be painted.
But as I said, the difficulty with such a project is not achieving a good ceiling, as you can learn that from reading. The challenge is planning the spotlights well.
For halogen spotlights, they must have an approved distance from combustible materials. Often 50 - 100 mm sideways, and 150 - 200 mm upward. Upward is not an issue when it's a concrete ceiling, but it’s important to keep them from any beams.
Overall, I think you should start by selecting spotlights that provide enough light, have a reasonable color of light, can be dimmed, etc.
Then plan where they will sit, where any transformers or LED drivers should be located (in many cases, a maximum of 2m from the transformer to the spotlight is allowed). After that, you can start considering how much you should lower the ceiling, how it should be framed, etc.
As for construction techniques, there are good detailed instructions from the gypsum board manufacturers on their websites. I believe Norgips has the most accessible instructions, but I have also looked at Gyproc and Danogips. As mentioned, there are many things to consider according to their documents. I recall that the Norgips PDF file was 250 pages. There should be a sparse panel on cc30 (according to some, cc40 suffices, but then you must also frame "crosswise" along the edges).
A plaster lift simplifies the work from being overly arduous to being really fun. Renting a plaster lift over a weekend is very cheap. Some building stores even lend them out for free, I've heard. A small detail, you should chamfer the short sides of the boards (the sides that are not recessed) with a knife, about 5mm. This is for the sake of plastering. It's much easier if you do it before installation.
In other words, when you start, read the ENTIRE instruction from the gypsum manufacturer first, from methods for ceiling framing to how it should be painted.
But as I said, the difficulty with such a project is not achieving a good ceiling, as you can learn that from reading. The challenge is planning the spotlights well.
Sorry if I borrow the thread a bit. If you want to lower the ceiling so that pottor fit, how do you ensure that the potta is positioned correctly and preferably snug against the plasterboard? Glue it to the plasterboard before screwing the board to the ceiling?