How to fill a giant void above window?

HowardMoon

How to fill a giant void left behind after removing some wood panelling above a window?

The hole is 2.8m wide and 25cm high. Can I insert some vertical timber from the bottom of the beams (60cm apart) to the top of the window frame. Is this enough for the plaster board to attach to? or do I need to build some sort of frame to support the weight of the plasterboard? What timber is required for this space? Do I need to use thicker plaster for better insulation?

Retro wood panellingGiant void left behindInterior and beams

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @HowardMoon. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about covering a void.

I'd suggest that the best option would be to create a frame constructed from 90 x 35mm Pine that is screwed into the adjacent timbers, which the plaster is then mounted onto. You could install vertical timber instead at 60cm apart, but there is nothing to fix the top and perhaps the bottom of the sheeting onto, so I suspect you'll have issues with movement at those points.

If you're concerned about insulation, I'd recommend installing some foam board within the frame and area before sheeting over it.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell