Which drywall for the ceiling is better. What thickness drywall is best for the ceiling

When planning repairs in the house, they answer the questions: what material is better to use, what thickness of drywall for the ceiling is suitable, how much to buy. Even the smallest details are taken into account.

In the current building materials market, manufacturers offer consumers to divide drywall according to its properties and scope.

Different types of material depending on the composition

• Normal (GKL). This type consists of plaster and sheets of thick cardboard. It is mostly gray shades, weighs a little, which is convenient when working on a hill. GKL has a low cost, since there are no additional properties. It is used in those rooms where there is no high humidity. Typically, the sheet is used for wall cladding, frame ceilings, and the construction of partitions. It is easily subjected to further processing, such as wallpapering. GKL is made of environmentally friendly materials, therefore it is completely safe for people.
• Fire resistant (GKLO). Such material is able to withstand a high degree of heat. This feature suggests that this type of drywall is installed near fireplaces or other fire hazardous structures. With its help, additional partitions are erected in the room, the walls and ceilings of country houses are decorated in order to reduce the speed of open fire.
• Moisture resistant (GKLV). The peculiarity of this type of drywall is that in its structure there are specific elements that reduce the water absorption threshold. Due to this, the material does not lose its appearance, does not swell. It is noticed that mold and fungus do not form on such drywall. It is designed for cladding rooms with a high level of humidity. For example, a bathroom or in a country house where dampness is present.
• Fire-moisture resistant (GKLVO). This is the optimal type of material, since it is not afraid of exposure to either moisture or temperature.

Different material thickness

Types of drywall by size, which and where to use

If we talk about the physical properties of drywall, then one sheet is able to cover three square meters of surface, and the weight is approximately 30 kg.

Depending on the thickness of the material, there are three categories:

• Arched. The thinnest material, its thickness is 6.5 mm. It bends and fulfills the designer's original ideas, decorating doorways and niches;
• Ceiling. Drywall of medium thickness (from 8 to 9.5 mm). Such a sheet of material is lighter than conventional plasterboard, it is used when installing a false ceiling.
• Wall. Thickness - up to 12.5 mm. Such material is used for finishing walls, niches or partitions.

Ceiling plasterboard is an economical option, because it has a simple and lightweight composition.

As can be seen from the above information, before proceeding with the installation of a plasterboard ceiling, it is determined which material to choose, which task to solve.

How to calculate the consumption of drywall for the ceiling

The main mistake of novice builders is that they select the wrong sizes of drywall sheets. Because of this, many seams are formed. For the correct installation of the ceiling, the master will select the optimal length of the material and place it on the surface according to the rules. This will require several sizes.

Scheme for calculating the material for a false ceiling

Beginners are advised to draw a diagram of the planes on which drywall will later be installed, as shown in the above figure. It is better to do this on a sheet of paper in a box to select the required scale. Graphically placing the material, you can see what size is needed and how much drywall will be spent.

If there is no time for such calculations, then they acquire the material based on the total surface area, adding up to 20% “in reserve”.

At the same time, it is taken into account that if the ceiling is 280 cm wide, then the best option is to use a 300 cm sheet. And the mistake in this case will be the installation of 250 cm of material with the missing 30 cm attached to it. This method will reduce the number of profiles used, securely fix the structure, and save time allotted for work. The ceiling will look aesthetically pleasing due to the lack of many seams and joints.

Plasterboard installation

Important aspects when installing GKL

Drywall is installed in two ways:

• Glue directly to the surface. A special glue is used, which contains gypsum. At the same time, the plane is leveled to a smooth state without drops.
• If there are irregularities or other defects on the ceiling, the plasterboard is mounted on a metal or wooden frame. And drywall is attached to it with screws.

Sometimes it is required to make a bend from a drywall sheet. To do this, it is pre-moistened, fixed to the template and left to dry. In such cases, a special roller with metal needles is used. After passing it over the surface of the GKL, small holes are formed through which moisture passes better.

It should be noted that the joints of the sheets fall on the frame bar so that cracks do not form in this place.

After installation, drywall is cleaned of dirt, dust and excessive roughness. Then it is covered with a primer, after which the wallpaper is either glued or plaster is applied.

In contact with

Often a great idea to veneer the ceiling surface with a plasterboard rests on the problem of choice. It is clear that you can use the first drywall ceiling that comes to hand, but if you have the opportunity to choose, it may be right to choose a more suitable material, and not one that is cheaper or just available.

The transverse size of the sheet should not exceed 100-120 cm

Pros and cons of ceiling plasterboards

To be precise, formally the industry does not produce gypsum sheets specifically for gypsum plasterboard cladding. It’s just that from a fairly wide range of gypsum plasterboards, sheet material is distinguished that is best suited for ceiling decoration.

Most experts refer to the ceiling as predominantly lightweight drywall grades that meet at least two requirements:

• Small thickness of sheet facing. On average, the thickness of drywall for the ceiling is 6-9 mm. All other brands are usually referred to as wall and frame products;
• The special shape of the end edge, which simplifies the sealing of seams in an uncomfortable overhead position of the cladding.

It cannot be said that the thinnest sheets of drywall go to the ceiling cladding, although most customers, without hesitation, choose the thickness of 6-8 mm, believing that this approach reduces the load on the frame or rough filing of the ceiling.

Edge design options

Important! The thickness of the plasterboard for the ceiling is not selected arbitrarily, but based on data on the nature of the room, the design features of the ceiling frame or crate and the size of the ceiling.

The advantages of the material include a higher density and rigidity of the material. If a complex configuration is being built on the floor, then the use of a thin arched drywall sheet greatly simplifies the assembly and smoothing of curved surfaces.

The disadvantages of drywall cladding include an increased tendency to cracking. The small thickness of the ceiling drywall forces you to limit the size of one section, otherwise it becomes simply impossible to lift and install a large sheet. In addition, even with a relatively small size of plasterboard ceiling of 120x250 cm, bringing and lifting the material into the apartment along the flights of stairs becomes a real test.

What is drywall for the ceiling

The list of sheet gypsum materials for finishing the ceiling surface usually includes two main brands:

• Waterproof GKLV sheet;
• Standard paper-coated gypsum sheet up to 1.5 mm thick.

For your information! An arcuate transition or a curved surface assembled from a thin and relatively soft arched drywall, after wetting, easily bends during installation, and after drying, it gains the rigidity and density necessary for finishing.

In addition, in houses with a potbelly stove or a cast-iron fireplace and a pipe brought out through the ceiling, you can use GKLO fire-resistant plasterboard for the ceiling. But this is more of an exception to the rule than a common practice. Fire-resistant material costs much more than ordinary drywall, so it makes no sense to hem the entire surface with it.

Plasterboard standard

Conventional drywall sheet is a sandwich of cardboard or thick three-layer paper shell with a gypsum core. The material is well cut at the required angle with almost any tool. Standard sheet usually has a rectangular or semi-rounded end.

Standard material is much easier and easier to work with

If you plan to finish the ceiling with small pieces of drywall, then you can use material with straight ends, the rigidity of the section is enough so that the seal at the seams does not crack under load. To finish the ceiling with full-length sheets, it is imperative to use material with one-sided rounding of the edge. In this case, the side with the rounding should “look” at the rough overlap. After sticking the sickle and sealing with putty, a kind of gypsum plug is formed on the rounding, which prevents the material from peeling off.

Moisture resistant ceiling plasterboard

Quite an expensive material, used for the ceiling in limited quantities. Usually, relatively simple single-level ceilings are built from moisture-resistant drywall for rooms with high air humidity. It could be the bathroom or the kitchen.

Waterproof grade drywall finish

Important! Ceiling drywall GLKV does not allow moisture to pass through only if the seams are carefully sealed, therefore, before applying the putty, glue or an acrylic primer must be applied to the cut edge of the joints.

Which drywall is best for the ceiling

The choice of a suitable material for ceiling decoration is largely determined by the operating conditions and the temperature regime of the room. So, for example, for complex multi-level ceiling structures, standard GKL is almost always used, not because it is required by the features of the technology, but because of the cheapness and availability of the material.

Standard drywall is ideal for filing wooden ceilings

Usually, in this case, the facing material is laid directly on the boards of the rough filing of the ceiling. Such a base is much stronger and stiffer than a frame made of a metal profile, so you can use drywall with a thickness of 9-12 mm for the ceiling.

For finishing with water-based or water-dispersed paints, waterproof grades of drywall are traditionally chosen. It is believed that the protective film does not allow moisture to "pull out" impurities from cardboard and gypsum, which can appear on the ceiling in the form of spots.

In addition, waterproof drywall is noticeably stiffer than standard, so if you plan on lining the ceiling with your own hands, without helpers, then this may be the best option. At the very least, it is possible to lift a sheet of drywall onto the frame, without much fear for its integrity.

For urban apartments in panel houses, it is recommended to use a novelty, the so-called acoustic plasterboard. According to the device, such material differs from the standard plate only in the presence of perforated holes. It perfectly dampens the noise of any frequency, but is extremely capricious when mounted on a frame.

Drywall sheet size for ceiling

The standard dimensions of the ceiling material are shown in the table below.

The most popular sheet sizes are 120x200 cm and 120x250 cm. This does not mean that sheets 3 m long or more are not used for ceiling decoration, it is simply impossible to transport and lift the sheet cladding to the premises of an apartment or house without special equipment.

For example, one gypsum plasterer of the most popular gypsum plasterboard ceiling 120x200 cm weighs almost 18 kg. It can be lifted without much effort by one physically strong person. That is why it is often bought for ceiling decoration in apartments.

Sections how to raise to the ceiling

If a team of craftsmen will work on the ceiling decoration, then it does not make sense to focus on the maximum size of the plasterboard, in this case, the finish is bought, based on considerations of a more rational use of drywall in the ceiling finish.

What thickness drywall is best for the ceiling

With the choice of the thickness of the plasterboard, it is much more difficult to determine than with its dimensions. At a minimum, three factors must be taken into account:

• Room dimensions. The larger the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ceiling, the more flexible and uneven the frame for the ceiling finish is. Therefore, for a large room or hall, they take mainly a sheet of 9.5 mm. And if a large number of embedded elements and tie-ins are planned, then a thicker one, 12.5 mm, may be required;
• The nature of the finish. If, in addition to drywall, a PVC ceiling film is laid on the ceiling frame, then most of the tiers are assembled from a thin gypsum board of 6-8 mm;
• The total weight of the ceiling cladding. The lower the load on the frame, the more durable the decorative finish will be.

Oddly enough, but the last point is almost always ignored, both by masters and individual do-it-yourselfers. There is an opinion that one running meter of a profile frame can withstand up to 30 kg of drywall. This is not entirely true, the maximum load should not exceed 10 kg. If you veneer the ceiling in a room of 12 m 2 with ceiling plasterboard, sheet dimensions 120x250 cm, 9.5 mm thick, then the total weight for 4 profile lines will be almost 90 kg, which gives an almost double margin of safety.

With proper skill, transferring the cladding is not a problem

If you use a 12 mm ceiling plasterboard, then the margin will be only 15%, which means that any mistake in assembling the metal frame can cause the entire structure to break.

Conclusion

Ceiling drywall can be considered one of the most successful types of facing the space above your head. Relatively easy to process and environmentally friendly gypsum sheet does not create problems for the owners of the apartment and can last quite a long time, at least 20 years, if properly planned and installed on the frame.

Drywall is one of the solid sheet materials used to form an additional coating over the rough base for subsequent finishing. Gypsum is hygroscopic and afraid of water, so GKL can only be used for interior decoration of building structures, installation of drywall on the ceiling is one of its areas of application.

Consider which drywall is preferable for ceiling decoration.

Requirements for GKL for ceiling placement

The ceiling is a specifically located base, therefore, additional requirements are imposed on the materials for its decoration. Drywall today is produced in several types, differing in characteristics and, accordingly, in the scope and methods of application. To choose the right plasterboard for ceiling decoration, you need to know the selection criteria, which, in turn, are based on the following requirements for covering the ceiling from plasterboard:

1. Acceptable specific gravity - gravity acts on any suspended structure and the lighter the structure, the less likely it is to detach from the base;
2. Rational functionality - the degree of resistance of the material to some factors must correspond to the operating conditions, and its stock is in demand;
3. The possibility of arranging the joints of sheets with the required quality - the requirements for butt joints for finishing with painting and wallpapering are different.

Based on the listed requirements for the material, we will consider the relevant selection criteria, and which type of drywall to give preference to for mounting on the ceiling.

The choice of plasterboard for the ceiling

In relation to some types of drywall, you can hear the definition of "ceiling", but it is used only in everyday life - GKL with this name or marking is not produced, just as ceiling chipboard, DSP or plywood are not produced. The characteristic "ceiling" is conditional and implies a smaller thickness of the sheets, which means their lower weight.

Thickness of plasterboard on the ceiling

GCR is available in the following thicknesses (mm): 6.5; 8.0; 9.5; 12.5; 14.0; 15.0; 16.0; 18.0; 20.0; 24.0. For domestic use, drywall manufacturers offer three types of those listed - 6.5, 9.5 and 12.5 mm thick, the most common in the distribution network. GKL 9.5 mm thick in everyday life is known as ceiling, the weight of 1 m2 of such material is approximately 7.5 kg - this value varies slightly for ordinary, moisture-resistant and fire-resistant materials.

Sheets with a thickness of 6.5 mm are called arched, although they are most often used on the ceiling - for sheathing structures of complex shapes.

Recommendations for use on the ceiling, according to the definition of "ceiling", sheets of plasterboard with a thickness of 6 or 9.5 mm are not categorical and universal. A single-level coating can also be mounted from drywall with a thickness of 12.5 mm - many even prefer this size to thinner material, as it gives the structure some extra strength. Considering the increase in the weight of 1 m2 of the sheet by at least 2 kg, the step of the supporting cd frame profiles for laying the plasterboard should be done not at 60, but at 40 cm - with a standard drywall width of 120 cm, such an arrangement is not difficult.

If the suspended ceiling is arranged as a multi-level one, the load on the metal structures of the coating closest to the supporting base increases, therefore it is not always justified to trim this tier with sheets 9.5 mm thick - if the frame is not rigid enough, cracks may appear at the joints of the plasterboard. In such cases, proceed as follows:

1. To finish the horizontal sections of the first level of the ceiling, plasterboard with a thickness of 12.5 mm is purchased;
2. For horizontal lines of the second and third tiers, GKL 9.5 and 6.5 mm are selected;
3. Facing of vertical surfaces of all levels is performed with arched (6.5 mm) drywall.

When choosing the thickness of the GKL for multi-tiered coatings, one should also take into account the nuances of finishing the suspended ceiling. If you plan to use decorative overlays for surface decoration, then their weight should be taken into account. Wood products are best placed on drywall with a thickness of 12.5 mm - on the first tier of the ceiling. Expanded polystyrene elements can be placed at any level of coverage - their weight is small.

Sections of suspended oval-shaped trim, with complex decorative interfaces of planes and without overhead decorations, are best formed from plasterboard with a thickness of 6.5 mm - thicker drywall is more difficult to bend, and besides, it is heavier.

The degree of moisture resistance GKL for the ceiling

Sheets in a green cardboard shell with a blue marking are moisture-resistant drywall (GKLV), which can be used in rooms with air humidity up to 80%.

In dry rooms, ordinary sheets can also be mounted on the ceiling - in a gray sheath, but even in such places, the episodic presence of steam, for example, from the neighboring kitchen, or a point leak of water from the apartment above, is not ruled out. The GKLV coating will cope with these factors, but for ordinary drywall, even short-term such effects will not pass without a trace - the material will absorb moisture and deform. Conclusion: even in dry rooms, it is better to mount moisture-resistant drywall (GKLV) on the ceiling - the difference in the price of the material for this potential is fully justified.

GKLV ceiling coverings with a thickness of 12.5 mm, with significant leaks, retain their geometry longer than a moisture-resistant material of 9.5 mm.

Fire resistant drywall ceiling

Such material is produced in thicknesses of 12.5 and 15 mm in a pink cardboard casing. The gypsum component of the GKLO contains inclusions of refractory clay and crystallized water (1% of the total mass), is impregnated with fire retardants, and the middle layer of the sheet is reinforced with fiberglass - all this allows fire-resistant drywall to withstand open fire for an hour, unlike conventional GKL, which under such conditions will collapse in 20-25 minutes. The specific gravity of GKLO is 850 kg / m3, which is 50 kg more than that of conventional drywall - this should be taken into account when installing the frame.

Fire-resistant drywall is used as a passive protection against fires - for finishing communication shafts and chimneys, creating partitions with internal electrical cables, equipping rooms with strict fire safety requirements.

GKLO is twice as expensive as ordinary drywall, so its use in an apartment must be justified. In the absence of structures subjected to strong heat or in need of a fire-retardant finish, the use of fire-resistant drywall in housing is impractical - its fire resistance will remain unclaimed, and it does not have an advantage in strength over other types of gypsum boards.

The same can be said about GKLVO (moisture and fire resistant drywall) - in the absence of the need for just such a material, the cost of buying it for home decoration will be unjustified, but there is no ban on its use.

GKL edge profile for ceiling finish

Depending on the method of arranging the seams, drywall is produced with a working edge of 5 of the following types:

1. Straight (PC) - without filling joints;
2. Semicircular on the front side (PLC) - with puttying without reinforcement;
3. Rounded (ZK) - with filling joints without reinforcement;
4. Semicircular thinned (PLUK) - filling joints with subsequent reinforcement and puttying;
5. Refined (UK) - with reinforcement and subsequent putty.

The material is selected with an edge corresponding to the type of finish. Considering that the plasterboard coating, especially the ceiling, is prone to cracking, the seams of sheets for painting or wallpaper must be solidly sealed and finished smoothly.

Therefore, it is necessary to use GKL with PLUK or UK edges - they are designed for sealing sheet joints with reinforcement with mesh tape, which will be recessed in place into the structural groove and then hidden flush with the surface with putty.

Conclusion

Knowing the criteria for choosing drywall for finishing the ceiling turns the purchase of this material into a simple procedure, but other requirements for drywall should also be remembered, for example, the integrity of the sheets, the absence of fixed deformations of products, as well as dents, dirt and signs of wetting on their surface - evidence of improper storage of the material , fraught with problems when performing finishing.

The idea of ​​​​selecting drywall for finishing a particular design will be more complete after watching this video:

Calculate the cost of installing drywall on the ceiling!
Make a list of works and get a cost estimate in 10 minutes from teams and craftsmen!

Drywall is one of the most widely used building materials. It has become a full-fledged replacement for plaster, while being much simpler and easier to install.

The process of finishing surfaces during repairs involves the use of different types of drywall, differing in size from each other. To complete the ceiling finish, you need to know the dimensions of the ceiling drywall for an unmistakable determination and acquisition of a material suitable for cladding.

Differences of ceiling drywall from other types in size

Determining the size of drywall is possible with this standard:

• All types of plasterboard, including the ceiling, are 1.2 meters wide;
• Sheets 2-3.6 meters long;
• Plasterboard sheet with a thickness of 6.5-12.5 meters.

Dimensions of different types of drywall

To determine the desired type of drywall, you need to know the dimensions of the sheets that are intended for various surfaces, including the dimensions of the ceiling drywall:

Regarding the length and width of drywall sheets for different needs, these parameters are the same for all types of material and are often produced in such variations:

• 3000x1200 mm;
• 2500x1200 mm;
• 2000x1200 mm.

Types of ceiling drywall

There is also its own classification of ceiling drywall:

• Ordinary ceiling drywall used for finishing rooms with normal humidity and fire safety. This material has a minimum thickness of 8-9.5 millimeters for various manufacturers.
• Moisture-resistant drywall is not specifically designed for ceilings with low water absorption, but thinner modifications of conventional moisture-resistant material can be used to finish such surfaces. Such sheets are used in the process of finishing rooms with high and high levels of humidity, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
• Fire-resistant gypsum boards are also universal, and with regard to ceiling sheathing, suitable dimensions of gypsum board ceilings are also selected from modifications with a thickness of no more than 9 millimeters.

Calculation of the amount of drywall on the ceiling, depending on the dimensions of the sheets

For a suspended single-level ceiling, to calculate the material, you need to start with measurements of the width and length of the room.

Let's make an approximate calculation for a standard living room of 5.6x3.1 meters.

If there are deviations, then it is necessary to rely on large values ​​so that there is enough material.

In this example, it is advisable to choose a ceiling plasterboard of standard sizes of 1.2x2.5 meters.

They allow for the finishing of the ceiling with plasterboard in accordance with the technology, i.e. in a run-up, while using the sheet sizes as efficiently as possible - with fewer scraps.

Sheets are placed lengthwise across the room, along with this, some sheets are cut in half and adjusted to the required dimensions. During the installation of the last row, sections of sheets are also cut in width from 1.2 to 0.8 meters.

As a result, not taking into account the margin in case of marriages, eight sheets of standard dimensions are required to complete the plasterboard ceiling sheathing.

Ceiling plasterboard - the most common material used in finishing streams. It is an alternative to plaster, but at the same time it is much easier to install, forming perfectly flat surfaces. In the article we will consider the main criteria for choosing a high-quality GCR, its types, characteristics and properties.

Plasterboard ceiling sheathing begins with the acquisition of good material that meets the requirements. There are many different types of GKL, and they are all divided in two directions:

1. Areas of use.
2. physical properties.

• wall- presented with a thickness of 12.5 mm. It is durable and quite heavy. Heaviness plays an important role in the construction of ceilings using this type, when there is a question about a suitable profile for drywall, because the fastening elements and the frame must withstand the declared loads.
• Ceiling, the average thickness of the ceiling drywall varies from 8 to 9.5 mm. Less durable than the first option, but lighter.
• Arched has a minimum thickness (6 mm), as well as the smallest weight and strength. It is often used for finishing vertical structures on multi-level ceilings.

According to physical properties, all types of GCR are divided into the following:

• Usual drywall is represented by a three-layer material of gypsum and cardboard sheets. Color - grey. A distinctive feature is lightness, which greatly facilitates the work of its installation. The lack of additional properties makes the material a cheaper alternative to other types. You can install such sheets in a standard living room, bedroom, hallway or other rooms where air humidity is low. Mounted sheets may be painted or decorated with wallpaper. The advantage is complete safety for health.
• fire retardant drywall for finishing the ceiling (GKLO) is represented by red sheets that do not deform from high temperatures, and therefore, they can be finished with fireplace portals, installed near other fire hazardous systems. This is due to the addition of special reinforcing substances to the gypsum core. Very often GKLO is used in wooden houses, due to its ability to maintain the level of fire safety of the premises.
• moisture resistant (GKLV). The color of the sheets is green, marked with a blue marking, and their basis is impregnated cardboard.
• Fire-moisture resistant (GKLVO). This species is not afraid of moisture and high temperatures. The sheets are red and have special markings. It is considered the best option, therefore it is more expensive than the rest.

Important! When choosing drywall, you need to know the differences between individual types, the main parameters and characteristics, as well as the requirements that the room imposes on finishing. Each specific case requires a certain type of GCR.

Advantages of drywall in ceiling decoration

As a material for leveling ceilings, drywall began to be used more than 50 years ago. Initially, it was included in the decoration of only industrial buildings. At present, it is unlikely that it will be possible to find at least one room where there is no drywall. It has become widely used in construction.

This is due to its undeniable advantages:

• Layering consists in the presence of three layers, the middle of which is fragile gypsum, and the extreme ones are cardboard. This technology at the output gives a light, environmentally friendly and even material, which is the best suited for interior decoration.
• Using drywall, you can create original designs on the ceiling, mount unusual lighting. Many designers prefer to combine drywall with stretch ceilings.
• GKL lends itself well to processing, it is easy to cut it with a construction knife. The properties of the material make it possible to paint the ceiling surfaces, of which it forms the basis.

The silicone granules included in this type and antifungal components that reduce the water absorption threshold make the material resistant to high humidity. Therefore, a moisture-resistant canvas is best suited for installation on ceilings in a bathroom or kitchen.

Can this material be used in rooms with normal humidity? Not only possible, but necessary.

However, additional protection should be provided for it and the front side should be decorated with ceramic tiles, PVC panels or water-based paint.

If you need to protect the room not only from moisture, but also from fire, you can safely combine water and fire resistant plasterboards.

What are the edges on the GKL

Each sheet type has its own edge. It is very important to consider this criterion when it is necessary to decide which material to use in finishing the ceiling:

• Direct (PC), used in the "dry" method of installation. Selected when the output layer is not the top layer. In this case, it is not necessary to putty the structure, as a perfectly flat and smooth surface is obtained. The straight edge is used when mounting the first level of ceilings and decorative boxes.
• Refined semicircular edge (PLUK). It involves additional processing of the edges with a reinforcing tape or sickle and a layer of putty. It is also used in the construction of a conventional single-level false ceiling.
• Rounded edge (RC). In appearance, it resembles a thinned edge. Differs in the absence of the need to use reinforcing tape at the final stage of work.
• Thinned edge (UK). Sheets of ceiling drywall with this type of edge at the joints will need to be trimmed with reinforcing tape and puttied.
• Semi-circular edge on the front side (PLC). It has a bevelled semicircular edge only from the front of the sheet. Therefore, for sealing joints, you can use one putty.

There is another way to finish the ceilings. It is associated with the use of gypsum fiber sheets, which are also ideal if you urgently need to level the ceiling surface.

Gypsum fiber sheets are made from gypsum and a special filler, which includes cellulose fibers. The material is protected on both sides with fiberglass. This method makes the sheets durable and strong.

In the case when you first decided to carry out independent repair work, you may have a question which material to give preference to. You can answer it by comparing the characteristics of both types.

The differences between conventional GKL and GVL are presented in the table

Criterion	Plasterboard sheets	Gypsum fiber sheets
Price	From 70 rub. per sq. m	From 180 to 300 rubles. per sq. m
Strength	Low, cracks appear from blows	High, sheets are not afraid of mechanical influences
Installation	Simple and easy to cut any type	Complicated, sheets are difficult to cut due to the large weight and hardness of the material
Insulating properties	Medium, decreases with increasing humidity	Tall, retain heat well and reduce sound vibrations

Installation of a plasterboard ceiling from GVL or GKL begins with the installation of the frame. Depending on the wishes, dimensions of the structure, you can choose the base - metal profiles or wooden slats.

Important! If you prefer GVL, purchase a profile with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm due to the large weight of the material.

How to choose a quality GKL

We count drywall on the ceiling

To determine the amount of drywall on the ceiling, depending on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, you will need to perform the following procedure for calculating the material:

• Divide the calculated area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room by this parameter for the GKL sheet.
• Multiply the resulting figure by the "reserve" factor. It differs depending on the size of the room:

- less than 10 sq. m - 1.3;

- 10-20 sq. m - 1.2;

- from 20 sq. m - 1.1.

• Round the calculated value up to a whole number.

If you decide to install a multi-level ceiling, then the material is calculated separately for each level, and then summed up and rounded to a whole value.

Criteria for choosing drywall

Despite the variety, there is no gypsum plasterboard in production, which can only be used for ceiling decoration. The average thickness of the sheets of material is from 6 to 16 mm, in terms of size, the indicators are:

• 2.5 by 1.2 m;
• 3 by 1.2 m;
• 2 by 1.2 m.

In order to choose the correct thickness of the ceiling drywall and its length, take into account the following point: the sheet will have to be mounted on outstretched arms, so pay attention to the fact that the length and thickness of the material does not allow the sheets to sag. As for the ceilings, it is worth using drywall with a thickness of 9 mm for them. The choice of a thinner option involves an increase in the number of cells in the overall design.

Often used in rooms with normal humidity. Moisture resistant panels can also be used for the construction of ceiling structures in living rooms. They will help out if the neighbors from the top floor had the imprudence to allow water to leak. But, moisture-resistant GKL will not be able to completely protect against water, it is simply not so much subject to deformation.

Thus, summing up the above, it can be noted that any sheets with the following characteristics are suitable for the ceiling:

• Thinned edge.
• Thickness - from 9 to 11 cm.
• The thickness and length of the sheets can be 9-11 mm and 2.5-3 m.
• The sheet width is always 1.2 m.

It is these characteristics that correspond to the required type of drywall for the ceiling.

On a note! A material with the indicated properties is usually used for a single-level simple ceiling, the design of which does not involve the inclusion of decorative overlays or additional tiers. If you want to give originality to the surface using non-standard elements or just add nuances in the form of baguettes, lamps, etc., it is better to purchase sheets with a thickness of 12.5 mm.

Choose a manufacturer

The modern building materials market offers a wide range of types and names of drywall, produced by large and little-known companies. They all try to make their product as perfect as possible, despite the fact that most types of GCR have the same standard parameters.

Which manufacturer is better? There is no definite answer to this question. Sometimes the material of little-known companies is not inferior in quality to advertised organizations. The main condition for choosing is the absence of cracks and other visible damage on the sheets.

We will focus on the most famous drywall manufacturers:

• Knauf. The most popular company present on the modern market produces ceiling (9.5 mm thick), wall (12.5 mm), arched (6.5 mm) plasterboard.

The manufacturer also offers all types of material - standard, moisture-resistant, fire-resistant and drywall, combining the last two options.

The quality of the material is at a high level. GKL do not emit odor, are easy to process and have increased flexibility.

• "Volma" also occupies a leading position. The main advantages of the material include ease of installation, strength and reliability, increased wear resistance, environmental safety.

The company produces products in several variations. The main types of GKL include: heat-resistant, reinforced, standard and waterproof.

• LaFarge has been operating on the market for a very long time, in terms of the number of outlets, exceeding Knauf. Thanks to the production capacity, its products are cheaper, but at the same time remain competitive.

It was LaFarge who was the first to release gypsum boards with edges trimmed with cardboard, which became a distinctive feature of its material.

The downside is the small overall dimensions of the sheet. Usually 1.2 by 2.5 m or 1.2 by 3 m, the mass of which reaches a maximum of 9 kg.

Before you give a flat surface to the ceiling with drywall sheets, their edges must be processed with a special plane and the edge chamfer cut at an angle of 40-50 degrees. So it will be easier for you to putty at the joints.

If the sheet needs to be cut, this is done as follows: first cut along the line marked on the surface of the material, then break the sheet on a hard surface, and then make an incision on the reverse side.

When you carry out using a screwdriver and self-tapping screws, pay attention to the correct location of the plasterboard. Their edges should lie on the guide profile, and the screws should be at a distance of no more than 20 cm from each other.

If the material was purchased for various needs, or it is not intended to immediately install it, drywall sheets must be provided with optimal storage conditions.

First of all, within 2-3 days before installation, it is kept in a dry room in a horizontal position in order to remove excess moisture.

Long-term storage should be carried out indoors. In this case, the material must be placed on a flat surface and away from heating sources.

Drywall is one of the most popular materials in ceiling surface finishing. An easy option is installation. With a small height of the room, it is better to prefer just such a design. It is very easy to mount such a ceiling with your own hands, and the built-in lighting will make it no less original than a multi-level suspension system.

You can find in which drywall on the ceiling is organically combined with stretch fabrics. Then the main structure is mounted from the GKL (most often around the perimeter), and the center of the ceiling space is formed with a PVC film or fabric.

Knowing all the features and properties of GKL, you will be able to choose the material with which your plasterboard ceilings will become perfectly even.

The easiest installation of a drywall sheet alone on the ceiling (video)