Slabbing an old ceiling

Bodhran

I want to fix insulated plasterboards to an old lath and plaster ceiling which is in poor condition. The ceiling is about 10 feet high. Ideally, I would have preferred to lower the ceiling but due to the fact that there is an electrical consumer unit situated at 9 feet, this isn’t an option.

Could I use 50 mm plasterboards screwed through the existing ceiling into the joists using 100mm bugle head screws? Would it be better to fix 2inch x 1 inch battens to the joists through the lath and plaster ceiling and fix the plasterboards to them?

Any advice welcome.

bgrizzley

imo battens are making more work for yourself (and a nice little 1" gap for mice). long slab screws into the old joists would be the way i'd go.
is it possible to put floor below CU and an access hatch under it? (i've seen it done before)

Bodhran

Thanks for that. Bottom of the consumer unit cupboard is at about 7ft 6inches from floor and top is at 9 ft. So it wouldn't really be practical to lower ceiling.

Audioslaven

ya i would go with the previous poster. Screw them up onto the other boards. You can get washers that will support the boards. They are thin washers. They come in metal and plastic and will allow you to screw the boards in tight. Here is a link for them off ebay