markharro Posted March 5 Posted March 5 Hi I need to reduce a ceiling height a bit and intend to cross batten the exposed joists but my question is what is the normal width between battens - is 600mm ok?
Iceverge Posted March 5 Posted March 5 I think it's 400mm for 12.5mm plasterboard. Maybe @nod will have the definitive answer.
G and J Posted March 5 Posted March 5 (edited) Our upstairs ceilings are 12.5mm plasterboard straight onto the bottom cord of the trusses at 600mm centres. The joints are supported by noggins, and maybe that’s less necessary if on 400mm centres. But these have been up 34 years and counting. Edited March 5 by G and J Pertinent data missed off
nod Posted March 6 Posted March 6 400 or 600 12.5 boards on 400 If you use 600 centers you can’t use 12.5 boards Only 15 mil 1
crispy_wafer Posted March 6 Posted March 6 I've went a bit overkill 400's with 15mm, I battened with 22*100 sawn and plastic shims to take out the dips.
Nickfromwales Posted March 6 Posted March 6 10 minutes ago, crispy_wafer said: I've went a bit overkill 400's with 15mm, I battened with 22*100 sawn and plastic shims to take out the dips. Adds a good bit to acoustics to do this, but surprisingly few people will pay the extra few £’s to ‘upgrade’. Seems madness as they’re paying to time and materials anyways, so why not do the ceilings in something that makes the house quieter / nicer to be in? 🤷♂️.
markharro Posted March 6 Author Posted March 6 Thanks for the advice. I am double sheeting so 2 x 12.5 - will 400mm centres by ok for that?
Mr Punter Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Use resilient bar at 400ctrs instead of batten if there is habitable space above.
Nickfromwales Posted March 6 Posted March 6 7 minutes ago, markharro said: Thanks for the advice. I am double sheeting so 2 x 12.5 - will 400mm centres by ok for that? Why are you double boarding? Is this for fire resistance? If not, just fit 1x 15mm. If 2x 12.5 then you’ll defo need to be at 400mm oc because of the weight alone.
Nickfromwales Posted March 6 Posted March 6 1 minute ago, Mr Punter said: Use resilient bar at 400ctrs instead of batten if there is habitable space above. Prob 300 if double boarding? Not sure what weight the RB can handle?
markharro Posted March 6 Author Posted March 6 The double boarding is to allow getting the height done the precise amount so that the top of our tiles comes to the exact ceiling height. Its a shower room so sound not really an issue. May go with 300mm as small room so may as well make bombproof. 1
Nickfromwales Posted March 6 Posted March 6 1 minute ago, markharro said: The double boarding is to allow getting the height done the precise amount so that the top of our tiles comes to the exact ceiling height. Its a shower room so sound not really an issue. May go with 300mm as small room so may as well make bombproof. That’s the kind of crazy I always did, so you’re in good company lol. “Continue”
JohnMo Posted March 6 Posted March 6 11 minutes ago, markharro said: The double boarding is to allow getting the height done the precise amount so that the top of our tiles comes to the exact ceiling height. You may well have included all this, but just in case Have included the grout spacing in your calculations be a shame if it doesn't match perfectly. Will you be skimming the ceiling or dry lining have you included this in the calculation? Also, if a shower tray will this be bedded down on anything that may elevate it?
nod Posted March 6 Posted March 6 31 minutes ago, markharro said: Thanks for the advice. I am double sheeting so 2 x 12.5 - will 400mm centres by ok for that? Perfect
markharro Posted March 6 Author Posted March 6 @JohnMo thanks these are all very valid points but I have accounted for them yes!
tommyleestaples Posted April 19 Posted April 19 I need to do this soon as the steels sit proud of the joists. If I batten out then I can get a nice flat ceiling. I was planning to use roofing battens at 300mm centres but it seems like 400mm would be enough with 12.5mm fire rated plasterboard? As I am using roof battens would you guys advise putting two battens side by side where the boards join?
ProDave Posted April 19 Posted April 19 On 06/03/2025 at 06:09, nod said: 400 or 600 12.5 boards on 400 If you use 600 centers you can’t use 12.5 boards Only 15 mil That has changed then. It used to be 600 centres for 12.5mm (which is what we have) and 400mm centres for 9mm PB (which we did in a previous house) not that anyone uses 9mm PB now.
Oz07 Posted April 19 Posted April 19 I'd double check nhbc guides with this. @nod knows his stuff but I always thought 12.5mm was fine on 600 spacings but had to be noggins on board edges and perimeter. I think 15mm board allows for 600 c/c, no noggins or maybe just perimeter noggins.
saveasteading Posted April 19 Posted April 19 Check the board sizes. Are they 1200 or 1220? X 2400 or 2440?
Mr Punter Posted April 19 Posted April 19 4 minutes ago, saveasteading said: Check the board sizes. Are they 1200 or 1220? X 2400 or 2440? I don't think you can still get imperial sizes in plasterboard.
MikeSharp01 Posted April 19 Posted April 19 On 06/03/2025 at 06:09, nod said: 400 or 600 12.5 boards on 400 If you use 600 centers you can’t use 12.5 boards Only 15 mil Can you use 600 on the walls with 12.5mm?
saveasteading Posted April 19 Posted April 19 59 minutes ago, Mr Punter said: don't think you can still get imperial sizes in plasterboard. I saw some advertised recently. Maybe the info was out of date. Ply is still imperial.
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