Metal or wooden battens for ceiling

newname

Hi

I am at the first fix stage on my house at the minute and would appreciate any advice on whether to use wooden or metal battens for the underside of my ceiling - its a concrete first floor. Is it cheaper to use wooden battens or metal ones and who would normally do that job? A carpenter or plasterboard worker?

Thanks

gsxr1

you will most likely have to drop a ceiling as opposed to battening to the underside of the precast slabs.

I used metal alot in the states and it is quicker and easier to drop a ceiling with the system compared to timber. Half the time in fact.

Im not sure about prices of metal here but most chippys will recommend timber as they will not know how to use metal.

Avns1s

Apparently, the metal system causes less cracking in the ceiling. Shrinkage and warping can cause cracking when you use wood.

gsxr1

Avns1s wrote: »

Apparently, the metal system causes less cracking in the ceiling. Shrinkage and warping can cause cracking when you use wood.

very good point avns1s . that is correct.

the terrible timber that we get landed with here in Ireland will move and twist.

metal wont. the furing strips clip onto metal rods drilled in the precast.

tis a better job for sure. done to many of both type

newname

Hi

Thanks for the replies lads

What do you mean drop a ceiling?
Also, do you know if the metal is a cheaper job overall to get done and what trade would do this type of work?

Avns1s

Usually specialist companies doing "suspended ceilings" and plasterboard slabbing.

gsxr1

newname wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for the replies lads

What do you mean drop a ceiling?
Also, do you know if the metal is a cheaper job overall to get done and what trade would do this type of work?

as the concrete ceiling you have now is probably all over the place. Lumps bumbs and different levels , You need to drop down to a different level.

This also leaves room for wires and pipe work.

I would think it would probably be cheaper to get a timber ceiling put in and the 1st fix carpenters who will be framing your stud walls will add ceilings into there price..

metal stud and metal ceilings are usually built by specialist who are not carpenters . They are usually used in commercial applications or high rise apartments . They have a much better fire rating than timber

Hotwheels

If the timber is fixed properly to the concrete slab and the Plasterer does a good job bonding and Skimming there should be little or no cracking, so long as its allowed to dry properly...

Compare the cost of imported battons with native ones, if the price difference is not huge use the imported, the quality of the wood is better..

gsxr1

Hotwheels wrote: »

If the timber is fixed properly to the concrete slab and the Plasterer does a good job bonding and Skimming there should be little or no cracking, so long as its allowed to dry properly...

Compare the cost of imported batons with native ones, if the price difference is not huge use the imported, the quality of the wood is better..

i found it not the middle the cracks take place. Its around the edges.

even when express nails are used. shrinking timber .

irish junk timber.

The joists in my house that I fixed myself.. shrunk 5 mm in places separating the floor from the skirting. look terrible now. wet 9X2 timbers from mc carthys in prosperous.

newname

Hi

I was up looking at the slabs this morning and there are plenty of bumps and the odd dip in the slabs so looks like the metal option and dropping the ceiling a little might be the way to go. I just hope its not too expensive? Does anyone know of a ballpark figure per square metre?

Thanks

Carpenter

Hi
Phone Tennants just off the long mile road and ask them about an MF ceiling its the only way to go and it will not break the bank

Carpenter

http://www.continuum.ie/sites/tennants/ceilings/ceilings.asp

Have a look here if you want to talk about it pm me (by the way I am not looking for a nixer LOL)

newmills

PM'D you

hiscan

newname wrote: »

Hi

I was up looking at the slabs this morning and there are plenty of bumps and the odd dip in the slabs so looks like the metal option and dropping the ceiling a little might be the way to go. I just hope its not too expensive? Does anyone know of a ballpark figure per square metre?

Thanks

its around 15 euro per sq m supply and fit,thats what my man charges anyway

rebellad

Anyone ever put up one of these metal systems themselves before?? Anyone have an idea of the material costs??

newmills

Hi,

I put them up day in day out. Very good system as it levels a perfectly level ceiling (done with a laser level so we're talking 2-3mm over 3 or 4 metres). Much better job in my opinion than timber battens - speed and job finish.

gsxr1

newmills wrote: »

Hi,

I put them up day in day out. Very good system as it levels a perfectly level ceiling (done with a laser level so we're talking 2-3mm over 3 or 4 metres). Much better job in my opinion than timber battens - speed and job finish.

how much where the materials?

newmills

I buy my materials from Capco in the ballymount industrial estate. I normally charge around €14 per sq metre to supply and fix the metal ceiling. I get a better price on the metal as I have an account there and have been buying metal from them for a long time. It is a skilled job all the same and some people reckon it looks easy enough until they try doing it themselves!!

gsxr1

newmills wrote: »

I buy my materials from Capco in the ballymount industrial estate. I normally charge around €14 per sq metre to supply and fix the metal ceiling. I get a better price on the metal as I have an account there and have been buying metal from them for a long time. It is a skilled job all the same and some people reckon it looks easy enough until they try doing it themselves!!

I was flat out doing it in the states.

Is it becoming popular here now. We called it Chicago bar over there. Using clips and rods shot into the deck above That was 7 years ago.

What are the parts called here?

I build houses now and have not came across the system much in Kildare.

Capco is a roof tile supplier is it not?

newmills

The capco in the ballymount industrial estate supplies mostly drywall materials - metal, plasterboard grid ceilings etc.
I have heard of the american systems from guys I worked with here but they tell me it's slightly different. It's nice work (when you get it!!):D