Can You Put Cement Board On A Ceiling? (Installation Guide)

When it comes to installing a ceiling, several options are available to you. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, your individual choice of the ceiling will come down to weighing up the pros and cons of each ceiling type and determining which type of ceiling will best suit your needs.

cement board ceiling

Cement boards can be used for most ceiling applications. It is an excellent ceiling option due to its ability to avoid water and mold issues. Cement board presents excellent customizability and versatility, and installation of cement board ceilings takes far less time than other ceiling types.

A cement board is a great choice for installing ceilings for several reasons, and a cement board ceiling can have many advantages over other ceiling types. There are many brands today that produce cement ceiling boards of different types with varying components that help improve the ceiling’s longevity.

Can You Put Cement Board On A Ceiling?

cement board

A cement board is an excellent ceiling option for ceilings in any part of your home. The material’s inherent ability to resist moisture and mold also makes it an excellent choice for use in bathrooms, kitchens, and any other spaces where moisture is often an issue.

Using cement boards on your ceiling allows for endless options in terms of the aesthetics of your ceiling. Fiber cement boards come in a range of different finishes that allow you to customize your ceiling however you prefer. 

The installation of cement board ceilings is far less time-consuming than the installation of other ceiling types. This makes it the preferred choice of ceiling for many homeowners and contractors alike, especially because a less time-consuming construction process will ultimately bring down the costs of the project overall.

Modern technology has recently allowed for the manufacturing of cement boards such as the SCG Smartboard. This material is not only visually appealing, but it is also extremely long-lasting. Some other added benefits include overall protection from fire, moisture, and termites.

Strength, durability, and elasticity are some other features that come standard with this type of ceiling board, making it an excellent competitor in its category. SCG Smartboards are extremely firm while retaining a good degree of flexibility. 

This ensures that less damage is able to occur during installation and that the ceiling remains less susceptible to damage throughout its lifetime.

Conventional cement ceiling boards tend to be brittle, so it might be worth considering alternatives such as Hardie Board, Durock, or Wonderboard. Hardie Board is a lighter material, so it might be far easier to install, especially if you are installing it without any help.

Hardie Board is also extremely good when it comes to preventing moisture seepage. This is due to its multiple-layer construction made up of concrete in the middle and fiberglass on both sides. Hardie Board is resistant to mold and can be completed with almost any finish type, including tiles, paint, or wallpaper.

How To Install A Ceiling Made Of Cement Board

Cement boards generally come in a standard size of 600 x 1200mm. The size of the sheet generally requires two people in order to install it.

Step 1

Make use of 29mm self-tapping screws and ensure that they are the correct type to be used with cement board.

Note. Ensure that the pressure is not lower than four bars.

When fixing the ceiling, place screws 5cm from the corner and 1.5cm from the edge of the board. The screws should be secured at intervals of 20cm along the length of the board.

If the boards are wider than usual, secure screws down the center of the board at 40cm intervals.

Step 2

The next task is to seal the joints using a polyurethane sealant. Once all joints are properly sealed, the ceiling will need to be painted.

Step 3

If using a contact primer, paint the ceiling with one or two layers. If you are using acrylic paint, two or three layers will be needed for proper coverage.

Installation Tips For Cement Board Ceiling

cement board ceilings

Cement board ceilings such as those manufactured by Duragreen are generally one of two types. These are concealed ceilings and exposed grid ceilings. The advantage of concealed plasterboard ceilings is that they are far more aesthetically pleasing due to the framework above being completely hidden from view.

Because there is no visible framework, concealed ceilings are far easier to paint and decorate. Excellent soundproofing and insulation are another added benefit of concealed frame plasterboard ceilings

Concealed cement board ceilings are, however, significantly more difficult to install compared to the exposed frame type. For this reason, some may opt for the exposed frame option simply due to the associated ease of installation.

One must carefully consider the frame to which a cement board ceiling is attached. A timber frame is generally a better option as this wooden frame will move in a similar way to how the fiber cement moves. 

If the cement board ceiling is fixed to a steel frame, rigid fixings should be used. This is because the steel frame expands, ultimately causing damage to the panels if the correct fixings are not used.

Most cement boards are manufactured with two sides. One side of the board is smooth, while the other is rough. If you are making use of a thin-set mortar adhesive to install the tiles, you should face the rough side outwards.

If, however, you are using a latex mastic to install your cement board ceiling, you should ensure that the smooth side faces outwards. 

Standard cement board ceiling panels are found in either a  ½” or 5/8” thickness. In a standard ceiling space with timber joists, the panels can be applied directly to the joists at a maximum spacing of 16”.

Drywall screws should not be used for cement board ceilings as these generally start to corrode from the Portland cement as well as the lime that is present in the mortar. Due to this interaction, it’s always better to use special screws that have been designed for use with cement board.

Conclusion

Cement boards are an excellent choice when it comes to the installation of ceilings. While boasting endless versatility when it comes to aesthetics, cement board ceilings can be extremely quick to install and can potentially bring down the overall cost of your construction project to a large degree.

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Barry Gray

Hi, I’m Barry. I’ve loved woodworking and bringing things back to life for more years than I care to remember. I hope my passion for tools comes across loud and clear in everything you read here on The Tool Square.