Plasterboard in the ceiling without battens

[Pollos]

We are renovating a bedroom on the upper floor of a house from the 1920s. Currently, the ceiling has some kind of structural fabric on masonite boards that are attached to the "plank ceiling." We would like to have a smooth ceiling, so we are considering placing drywall directly on the old ceiling. The ceiling height is quite low, so we don't want to install a framework, even though it might be slightly uneven. Is it possible to screw drywall directly into the planks, or is there a better solution?

 

[michfris]

One solution is to glue the plaster and screw it into the ceiling with slightly longer screws and hope that you hit a plank or beam. Where you miss a plank or beam, you'll have to remove the screw and fill. But filling will be needed anyway...

 

[Maveric77]

As a layman, I definitely say yes! Assuming that the "plank ceiling" is properly attached to the rafters/joists in turn!

Put up 6 mm renovation plasterboard and fill the joints!

We did the same over a beadboard ceiling. Not an old stylish beadboard, but the classic eighties model in pine that gave a delightful sauna feel! I screwed the new plasterboard directly against the old one and the problem was solved!

Edit: I interpret your word "planktak" as having planks attached to the rafters? On these planks, hardboard has been nailed? If that's the case, you probably don't need to look for the rafters when you screw in the plasterboard, as you will hit the planks 99% of the time!

 

[Pollos]

Thanks for the reply. Then we'll simply try and hope it works!
Follow-up question: How difficult/hard is it for an amateur to putty and sand the ceiling and get it even and nice? Maybe one should hire a painter for this step?

 

[Pollos]

Response to your edit: you interpreted correctly

 

[maah]

I would say that it's really difficult and really tough to plaster and get it right

I was thinking of putting a smooth ceiling in the kitchen but changed my mind after plastering a few walls.
It ended up being short planks with beveled edges instead. Convenient size at 600x1200 too.

 

[Maveric77]

Thanks for the response. We'll simply give it a try and hope it works!
Follow-up question: How difficult is it for an amateur to putty and sand the ceiling to get it even and nice-looking? Maybe it's worth hiring a painter for this step?

Many do hire painters specifically for this step, so it's a matter of taste and cost. A painter should naturally do a better job than an inexperienced amateur, but see it as an opportunity to learn to putty a ceiling! I assume it's not too large an area?

Screw up the drywall, preferably choose a model with recessed edges all around, so you have room for a paper tape in all the joints. Apply the paper tape, putty all the joints and screw holes. Wait until it dries, sand, and putty again. Let it dry. Sand. Put up a strong lamp that you let shine along the ceiling (called "släpljus") and you'll see every unevenness... Sand a bit more, putty a bit more... Let dry. Repeat the steps until you are satisfied and then paint twice!

Done, and you've saved a few thousand on the painter, and earned yourself some adult points!

 

[Maveric77]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6KDk1jVHrI

Some tips, here on a wall, but the same principle for the ceiling!

Note, however, that here they place a paper strip in the wet filler, but there are those who prefer to glue the paper strip with wallpaper paste and let it dry before applying filler over it.

 

[Pollos]

Haha yes, I can imagine we'll get tired after doing the walls, maybe we'll need a painter for this. But we'll see when we get that far!

 

[Pollos]

Maveric77, That thing with wallpaper paste was something new, maybe it's worth a try. Because I assume it works on the wall too.

 

[Maveric77]

I think it's a matter of habit, for an inexperienced filler, I believe it's easier with glue! But which one lasts longer in the long run, I have no idea!

https://www.byggahus.se/forum/farg-mala-tapetsera/75073-limma-pappersremsa-vilket-lim.html

 

[Johan Gunverth]

Not wallpaper paste! The wet filler will dissolve the glue and the tape will detach from the underlying material. Use extra-strong fabric glue or wet-room glue if the tape is to be glued.