Do-it-yourself Two-level Plasterboard Ceiling

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

Let's analyze the option of installing a two-level ceiling with a semicircular lowering by 10 centimeters under one of the walls. Earlier, we looked at how to make a single-level plasterboard ceiling with our own hands with photo examples. The first step is to make a frame for the first level of the ceiling, and then sheathe it with plasterboard. It is necessary to sheathe it so that later we can easily get to the inner surface of the drywall. After assembling the first frame, we proceed to assembling the second frame, necessary for the second level of the ceiling. The second tier of the ceiling will go down. However, everything is in order and with photo examples.

Installation of a two-level suspended plasterboard ceiling with photo instructions

So, we collect the first level of the plasterboard ceiling. With a water level in the corners, you need to beat off the horizontal at eye level. Now find the lowest point from the ceiling, step back 4 centimeters from the ceiling and place a mark. Measure the distance between the two marks. Then transfer the marks to the ceiling, keeping the distance between them. We connect the corner marks with lines using an upholstery cord. We proceed to the installation of the profile (marked UD) over the resulting line using dowels 40 to 60 millimeters long and 6 millimeters in diameter.

The next step is to assemble the frame from the profiles (marking CD). Install the CD profile every 600 mm along the room. The profile is installed on suspension brackets. In this case, these are knitting needles (U-shaped mount).

First, using an upholstery cord, we make lines along the ceiling every 60 centimeters. Our fasteners will go along this line (after 50 centimeters). We fix it with dowels 6 by 40 mm. In our case, the knitting needles are attached to wood screws, since the base is wooden. If the caps of the screws and dowels fall into the loops of the knitting needles, use washers or small pieces of a U-shaped mount or profile.

Having cut the CD profile of the desired size with your own hands, bring it inside the UD profile (exactly along the line). If the length of the profile is not sufficient, connect the two profiles using a special fastener. Lay the two profiles on a smooth surface. We put on the connector and fix it with 4 self-tapping screws 3.5 * 9 mm on each side. It is recommended to use a rule to make the profiles even.

As soon as all the CD profiles are wound, it is necessary to pull the thread (opposite the fasteners) and screw the CD to our fastener, while leaving a gap of 1-2 millimeters between the CD profile and the thread.

The next step is the installation of embedded profiles for short sheet joints. First of all, we cut out small pieces of the UD profile (10 centimeters each) and fasten them with 3.5 * 9 mm self-tapping screws to the side parts of the CD profile. We put a CD profile with a length of 53.5 centimeters into the prepared pieces of the UD profile. One of the sheets will hold on to one part of the profile, and the other sheet to the other.

If you have a chandelier on your ceiling (see how to install and connect a chandelier or how to install spotlights correctly), you need to make embedded profiles. First, we cut out pieces of the UD profile (20 centimeters) and, using self-tapping screws 3.5 * 9 mm, attach them to the side parts of the CD profile. After cutting the two CD profiles, insert them into the UD profile, but leave 1 centimeter of wire clearance as shown in the photo below.

The sheets must be installed in a checkerboard pattern. The first row of sheets starts with a whole sheet on one side of the wall, and the next row starts with a whole sheet on the other side of the wall. Be sure to consider this. Sheets are fastened with self-tapping screws for metal (25 millimeters).

Before proceeding with the installation of sheets, it is necessary to mark the borders of our circle on the profiles. This is done in order not to fix the sheets where the second level will be located. To do this, screw the self-tapping screw into the profile using a screwdriver, and not with your own hands and wind the wire. Having measured the required radius, bend the wire at this place, and draw lines with a pencil. The sheets should go beyond the boundaries of the radius by 6-7 centimeters.

Now again, using the wire, you need to draw a semicircle line along our radius. And then another line, but longer than the radius by 5 centimeters.

On the second line, it is necessary to accurately cut the drywall using a hacksaw blade for metal. This is necessary in order for the embedment from the CD profile to turn out exactly along the radius. The edge of the sheet must match the edge of the profile.

Next, we make the embedded profile. It is necessary for firmly attaching the lower profile along the radius. Nothing will hold in drywall, so self-tapping screws need to be fastened to iron. Cut out the perforated CD profile to the required size and place it between the guide profiles. We fix the bottom with self-tapping screws for metal. Since there are no perforated profiles, you can use a simple profile by cutting it with a turbine or metal shears. In order for the profile to bend freely, it is necessary to cut through the butt and one of the sides every 5 centimeters, as shown in the photo below.

Then it is necessary to install the perforated UD profile along the radius line. You need to fasten on self-tapping screws for metal 25 millimeters long, with the end to the drywall.

The next step in assembling a two-level plasterboard ceiling with your own hands is to assemble a frame for the second level of a plasterboard ceiling. We fix the UD profile to the walls, but 10 centimeters lower than the frame of the first tier of the ceiling. One end of the CD profile is inserted into the UD profile, and the other end is screwed to the U-shaped mount. If the length of the profile is large enough, then it is necessary to install U-shaped beads every 50 centimeters. The profiles of the second frame are fixed exactly under the profiles of the first frame. The length of the profile should be 4 centimeters less than the distance to the semicircle.

Cutting out the drywall sheets (5-6 centimeters longer than the CD profile), screw them to the frame. Use the wire again to draw a semicircle at the second level of the ceiling along the original radius. The excess drywall must be removed with a hacksaw blade.

Then, with the end face to the inner surface of the sheet of the lower tier, we fasten the UD profile along the edge of the sheet. Having cut out a strip of drywall of the required size, we pierce it with a nail or a needle roller from the inside, and moisten it with water. An hour later, you can fix the strip to the slope.

There is very little left. We close up the drywall seams. We process the joint with a primer, putty the joints with a special putty. Cut out a corner tape of the required size, moisten it in water. Then we apply the tape to the putty and get rid of the excess with a rubber spatula. Then we apply the putty to the entire joint and get rid of the excess using the edge of a wide spatula, as shown in the photo below.

The transverse joints of the suspended two-level plasterboard ceiling must be embroidered with a knife 0.5 centimeters wide. Then they need to be putty on the plane of the ceiling with your own hands. As soon as the joints are dry, they must be sanded and the corner tape must be glued to PVA (pre-soaked in water). Remove excess glue with a rubber spatula.

Between the second and first level of the ceiling there is an internal slope angle, which must also be glued with corner tape. Prepare the tape in accordance with the photo example below.

The main work has been completed and the installation of a two-level plasterboard ceiling is over. Now see the article on how to putty the walls with your own hands with a video example and detailed instructions and putty a plasterboard ceiling video.

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