Plasterboard walls and false ceilings

What you can do with plasterboard and false ceilings

A false ceiling is a second ceiling fitted a little below the original one. It hides pipes, cables and uneven surfaces, and lets you build in downlights. Perimeter coving, called a sanca in Portuguese, is a drop around the edges of the room only, ideal for hiding indirect lighting or a curtain track.

Plasterboard partition walls are a quick way to create a bedroom, a home office or a walk-in wardrobe. They're lighter than brick walls and create less dust and rubble. They're also used for alcoves, built-in shelving and boxing in pipework.

Choosing the right boards and insulation

• Standard board: for dry rooms such as living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.
• Moisture-resistant board: for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Fire-resistant board: where extra protection is required, for example near boilers or in garages.
• Mineral wool inside: reduces sound transfer and improves thermal insulation.

A partition without insulation lets a lot of sound through. If it's going to separate a bedroom, mineral wool inside is well worth it. And if you plan to hang a TV, cupboards or a washbasin, tell us beforehand: we'll fit reinforcement inside the wall in exactly the right place.

Before the ceiling or wall is closed up, decide where the light points, sockets and switches will go. Changing your mind later means opening up the boards and redoing the finish.

How the work runs, and what affects the price

We measure and mark out, build the metal frame, run cables and pipes, fit the insulation and screw the boards in place. Then we tape and fill the joints and sand them until the surface is smooth and ready to paint. Sanding creates fine dust, so we protect the space and clean up at the end.

The price depends on the area, the ceiling height, the amount of coving, curves and alcoves, the number of light points, the type of board and insulation, and whether painting is included.