Updated · 3 min read
In short
- Per m² roughly: 1.05 m² board, 2.5–3 m of ceiling channel, 1.2–1.5 hangers, 15–17 screws, plus perimeter track, fixings, tape and about 0.5 kg of jointing compound.
- Exact figures depend on channel spacing, board thickness and the system — the manufacturer's data sheet rules.
- Moisture-resistant board for bathroom ceilings.
Material per m²
- 12.5 mm plasterboard: area + 5–10% waste.
- Perimeter track: the room perimeter, fixed to the wall about every 60 cm.
- Ceiling channel: about 2.5–3 m per m² at about 40 cm centres.
- Hangers (direct or rod-and-spring): about 1.2–1.5 per m², about 70–90 cm apart along each channel.
- Ceiling fixings rated for overhead use: one per hanger.
- Channel joiners for extensions and cross connectors for two-level grids.
- 25 mm drywall screws: about 15–17 per m², every 17–20 cm.
- Joint tape and jointing compound about 0.4–0.6 kg per m².
Example: a 4 × 5 m ceiling
- boards 1.2 × 2 m (2.4 m²): 20 × 1.08 ÷ 2.4 ≈ 9 boards;
- perimeter track: 18 m → 5 lengths of 4 m;
- channels across the 4 m width at 40 cm along 5 m → 12–13 channels of 4 m;
- hangers about 12 × 5 = 60, each with a fixing;
- about 340 screws (a box of 500), about 10 kg of compound, about 40 m of tape.
What changes the quantities
- Double boarding (for sound or fire): boards and screws doubled, closer channels.
- Mineral wool laid above: extra weight, so closer hangers.
- Recessed downlights: their layout decides where channels cannot go.
- Large drop (over about 10–15 cm): rod hangers and a two-level grid.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are ceiling channels?
Typically about 40 cm between the channels the boards are screwed to (closer for heavy boards or double boarding) and about 100 cm between primary channels in a two-level grid; hangers about every 70–90 cm. Check the system data sheet.