How to Gyprock over steel beams?

Anthony068

Hi All,

Is anyone able to provide knowledge on the best way to cover these steel beams.

My current ideas are:

1. Attach gyprock directly over them with it being nailed into the timber beam above the steal and then glued.
2. Attach timber to the bottom of the steel and then that would allow me to attach the gyprock to the timber above and below the steel.
3. Attach timber to either side for the Gyprock.. although this then drastically increases the thickeness of the beams.

Personally, I don’t think option 1 would work so am leaning towards option 2.

Appreciate any guidance if anyone has done this before!

JacobZ

Hi @Anthony068,

Unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to provide a specific solution in this case due to the structural nature of the beam you are looking to encase. With a large, load bearing beam like this, any holes that are made in the beam will reduce its overall strength, so it is always best to speak with an engineer for guidance with a system that achieves your goals and has minimal impact on the structural integrity of the beam.

In saying this, there are certainly systems for encasing a steel beam with plasterboard, however they are much more common in commercial buildings where an engineer has specified the attachment details in the construction plans.

I am aware of systems that use a component called an encasement clip, that slips onto the beam's flanges, and then furring channel is attached to that encasement clip so the plasterboard can be screwed to the furring channel. In this setup, no additional holes are made in the beam, which is obviously ideal.

There is a huge amount of information in https://www.gyprock.com.au/the-red-book#redbookdownload , which is a series of publications from CSR, who are our main plasterboard supplier, about the design and installation of plasterboard systems. In book 1 and 3 there is information about beam encasement systems that use these encasement clips I mentioned above. Book 3, has more information of the two mentioned.

You can certainly have a look for some guidance, but ultimately, the design and selection of a system should be done by an engineer to ensure that it has no negative impact on the structural integrity of the beam.

Apologies that I can't be more help with a specific answer, but I hope this helps to point you in the right direction.

Jacob