A heated ceiling built above an existing ceiling

Not stripping out, covering over

The original ceiling stays in place and a framework is fixed below it. That choice avoids the skip, the dust and the days of stripping out, which counts particularly in a house lived in during the works.

What becomes of the ceiling kept

It no longer has a thermal role, but it closes the top of the plenum. Combined with the reflective insulation it forms a wall that stops the heat produced from going into the loft or the floor above.

The question of load

The framework and the films represent a few kilos per square metre, which stays low. The check is about the fixing points rather than the total weight, and it is done before the equipment is ordered.

Height, once again

It is the limiting parameter of any solution fitted below. The loss is measured room by room using doors and windows as references, because a low lintel sometimes decides feasibility on its own.

The hidden advantage

The new plenum allows cables, light points or ventilation to be run without chasing the walls. Many jobs of this kind deal with heating and an electrical upgrade in the same operation.

What cannot be recovered

An original ceiling that is damp, cracked or unstable does not become sound because it is covered. A survey of the existing structure comes before the decision, and a doubtful substrate remains a legitimate reason for full removal.

The insulation is presented on the R'BULL Pro 13 page, and the fitting on the page about fitting thin reflective insulation.