Solutions To Smoothen Rockstone Ceiling

[steelze 0]

Hi all, my current ceiling is rockstone effect. I will like to have smooth ceiling for my ceiling work such as Clove Light and L-Box stuff.

Speaking to various IDs and contractors. some said plaster will do. while there are few said that plastering wont hold the rockstone for more than 3 years, thus need to grind off the rockstone before plastering.

any similar experience /advice to share?

Many thanks!!!

[neubie 2]

Hi all, my current ceiling is rockstone effect. I will like to have smooth ceiling for my ceiling work such as Clove Light and L-Box stuff.

Speaking to various IDs and contractors. some said plaster will do. while there are few said that plastering wont hold the rockstone for more than 3 years, thus need to grind off the rockstone before plastering.

any similar experience /advice to share?

Many thanks!!!

i would oso think it's best to scrape off the rockstone layer to reveal the bare RC layer... if u overlay, your ceiling height will reduce by a bit.

[Julian.T 0]

Same here.

ceiling -> rock stone

side wall -> rock stone also.

lucky the other rooms not rock stone.. else... faintz.

Was advised by some frens on the grinding part too... wonder what's the additional cost gonna be....

[steelze 0]

arghh... **** sad. this is what we called unexpected cost along reno process.

i'm pending the ID's quote for grinding and plastering of the ceiling. if it costs a bomb, i will just put false ceiling to cover up the whole ceiling of living /dining and bedrooms. haiz....

[neubie 2]

arghh... **** sad. this is what we called unexpected cost along reno process.

i'm pending the ID's quote for grinding and plastering of the ceiling. if it costs a bomb, i will just put false ceiling to cover up the whole ceiling of living /dining and bedrooms. haiz....

i wouldn't really classify this as hidden cost, unless u specifically told your contractor/ID about this, and he accidentally omitted this in the quote...or u overlooked this ceiling thingy which is deemed as an oversight on your part.

[steelze 0]

i wouldn't really classify this as hidden cost, unless u specifically told your contractor/ID about this, and he accidentally omitted this in the quote...or u overlooked this ceiling thingy which is deemed as an oversight on your part.

dun get me wrong, didn't say it is hidden cost.

i'll say it's more of an unexpected cost which paper discussion with IDs will not reveal such situation. unless we have gotten our key and visited the site.

nonetheless, one ID has responded saying that grinding is not required. Just apply a base coat ($450) before plastering of the ceiling ($1050). I hope his sugesstion can really solve the problem. If not, I will be seeing the plastering start peeling after 1 or 2 years time.

[neubie 2]

dun get me wrong, didn't say it is hidden cost.

i'll say it's more of an unexpected cost which paper discussion with IDs will not reveal such situation. unless we have gotten our key and visited the site.

nonetheless, one ID has responded saying that grinding is not required. Just apply a base coat ($450) before plastering of the ceiling ($1050). I hope his sugesstion can really solve the problem. If not, I will be seeing the plastering start peeling after 1 or 2 years time.

Solly, dunno why I read and misconstrued as hidden cost. Haaaa…

But I dun believe in quotation based on floor plan nia. Best is to get them survey the place and measure, this cuts down unexpected costs…

But I not sure if the rockstone surface is done using glossy or matt paint, if the base coat stix nicely w/o problem is ok, if not…

[edenstrauss 3]

Oh gosh, rockstone is a nightmare for us ...

More than 10 yrs ago, one of my inlaws bought his matrimonial home based on the rockstone effect of a resale flat. After the previous owners shifted, both his wife & himself noticed that the rockstone had served as a very good camoflouge for defects, which includes leakages from pipings, ceilings and wirings.

We ourselves had a rude shock when we stepped into their flat. The leakage from the ceiling was so bad & plastered with rockstone in such an exaggerated manner, and we wondered how come our inlaws didn't notice these problems.

They paid $25k above flat valuation, thinking that they could do minimal renovation but they ended up removing the entire rockstone effects.

[steelze 0]

So much they paid to remove the rockstone ceiling?

[edenstrauss 3]

My inlaws had to knock down the rockstore for the ceiling, walls and replace floor tiles & they also renovated both toilets. Kitchen was also fully renovated. Repiping, relocation of electrical ducts, etc. No more cornices after the nightmare. Total bill was $35,000.

But they had other repair issues on & off for the first 2 years.

[steelze 0]

My inlaws had to knock down the rockstore for the ceiling, walls and replace floor tiles & they also renovated both toilets. Kitchen was also fully renovated. Repiping, relocation of electrical ducts, etc. No more cornices after the nightmare. Total bill was $35,000.

But they had other repair issues on & off for the first 2 years.

good to hear that.

anyway, my ID said instead of spending so much to remove the rockstone, might as well just cover them up using false ceiling. save more $$$. i will just follow his advise bah...

if only i know rockstone can affect my reno cost, i should have factored into my COV with the previous owner when buying resale flat. lesson learnt here. =]

[january 0]

What does a rockstone ceiling/wall look like? Can someone post a picture?

steelze, I think covering it up with false ceiling is a good idea, cuz your ceiling will be nice and smooth. With plastering you can get hairline cracks if not done well.