Lower the ceiling, question about previous ceiling

[andreascarlsson]

I'm going to lower the ceiling in our house and install spotlights. Today, there's a click-plasterboard ceiling from around the 80s.
Since I overthink everything I do (), I'm wondering if I should pull down this ceiling before putting up the new one.

Advantages of tearing out the old ceiling:
- You can access the original ceiling and see any deficiencies that need to be addressed.
- You get rid of the old one, which can be nice from a purely mental perspective.
- You save an additional 2 cm in height.

Advantages of keeping the old ceiling:
- Less work.
- Extra layer of plaster makes it more fire resistant.
- More insulation against sound from/to the upper floor.

It seems like the obvious choice to let the old ceiling remain, but I'd still like to hear opinions on the subject. Maybe there's something I haven't considered?

 

[Bamboozled]

You’ve probably thought about it already, but if you tear down the old roof, you'll likely have to fix a new layer that the insulation and similar materials rest on. In that case - will it have a different density? Breathe less? It's worth considering, depending on what the intermediate floor looks like.

During demolition, it might be difficult not to damage the battens needed to attach the new roof to.

I would leave the old one in place, any time. As long as it’s whole and clean without strange spots that need investigating.