Heritage ceilings,
rebuilt to last.
Lath & plaster and horsehair ceilings in Adelaide’s period homes, rebuilt from the joists down, with any cornice matched or reimagined.
Book an inspectionLath and plaster and horsehair ceilings are the original ceilings in many of Adelaide’s older homes. After 70 to 100 years the plaster keys break, the fixings let go and the plaster turns dry and brittle. These ceilings are heavy, and once they let go they can come down without warning.
Warning signs
- Sagging or bulging areas
- Long cracks or spider-web cracking
- Gaps opening along the cornice
- Plaster dust or crumbs falling
- Ceiling feels soft or moves when pushed
- Water stains or damp patches
Tell us what you’re seeing. If it needs a closer look, one of our experienced team will come out, check the ceiling and roof space, and give you a fixed price in writing.
Lath & plaster and horsehair.
Lath & plaster
Plaster pushed through thin timber laths so it keys on behind them. After 80 to 100 years the plaster keys break, the nails rust and the laths shrink, and the ceiling starts to sag and crack.
Horsehair
Plaster reinforced with horsehair, fixed up to the timber joists. After 70 to 100 years the fixings let go and the old plaster turns dry and brittle, so it pulls away from the joists.
Both are heavy, and both are replaced the same way. We tell you at the inspection which kind you have and what it needs.
Cornice, roses & plaster battens.
Heritage ceilings are about the details. We match your existing cornice or fit something new, from 55 mm cove to Victoria cove and ornate profiles, and refit or add roses, or plaster battens with bosses to give that panelled ceiling look.
Strip out or batten out?
Full strip-out
When the ceiling is sagging, the joists above have usually sagged under its weight. The old ceiling comes down so we can straighten and level the joists, insulate, and fix a brand-new ceiling.
Batten out
Where the old ceiling is only cracking with age, or has pulled away but the timbers above are sound, we fix battens through it into the joists and put a new ceiling underneath. Less mess, the existing insulation stays, and it sits only about 45 mm lower. More on batten out →
We check at the inspection and tell you which method your ceiling needs, and why.
How we rebuild it
Your home is sealed off and protected, then all the old plaster, laths and fixings come out and every bit of waste is taken away.
Joists are de-nailed, cleaned, straightened and levelled so the new ceiling sits flat. Minor framing repairs are included.
R3.5 insulation as standard, then Knauf Sheetrock One glued and screwed, every joint back-blocked, and Fibafuse tape to a Level 4 finish.
55 mm cove cornice as standard, or match your existing cornice. Roses and other heritage details can be refitted or added, and plaster battens with bosses give that panelled ceiling look.
The process
- Inspection and proposal
One of our experienced team measures every room, checks the ceiling and roof space, and photographs everything. If you have already sent us the measurements and photos we need, we can quote from those instead. Either way, you get a fixed price in writing.
- Lock in your date
Once you say yes, we lock in a date that works for you, and that’s the date we’ll be there. It only moves for a genuine emergency.
- Protect and strip out
We seal off the room and protect your floors and furniture, then remove the old ceiling and take all the waste away.
- Insulate and rebuild
New R3.5 insulation (or your upgrade) goes in, then the new ceiling is glued, screwed and back-blocked.
- Flush, cornice and sand
Joints are taped with Fibafuse and finished to a Level 4 standard, then a square set or your chosen cornice.
- Paint and electrical
Where included, a licensed electrician reconnects your lights and fittings and the room is painted.
- Clean-up
We clean up and take all the waste away.
Recent heritage ceiling jobs
Latest Google reviews
“We hired ACR to repair two ceiling areas in our 1920s villa home. One was an internal hallway lath ceiling that had been damaged due to a roof leak and the other was our external alfesco ceiling. Sean and his team completed the work in just 3 days and did a fantastic job! Very happy customers! Highly recommend!”
Arnold family · Google · Sep 2026“Adelaide Ceiling Replacements did a fantastic job! A big shout out to your exceptional team and their thoroughly professional work.”
Toni C. · Google · Oct 2026“ACR did a great job with replacing our ceiling. The old ceiling came down in the new one went up in a single day. The painting happened two days later. The guys were very friendly, cognizant that we were still living at home while the work was being done and did a great job of cleaning up afterwards. I would highly recommend them.”
Paul B. · Google · Oct 2026Questions
Anything else you’d like to know? Call or text us on 0402 252 511.
How long does it take?
A typical room of about 16 m² takes about a day of work, plus another day for painting where it is included.
What’s the difference between lath and plaster and horsehair?
Lath and plaster is plaster keyed onto thin timber laths. Horsehair ceilings are plaster reinforced with horsehair, fixed up to the timber joists. Both get heavy and brittle with age, and we replace them the same way.
Do I always need a full strip-out?
Not always. If the ceiling is only cracking with age, or has pulled away but the timbers above are sound, we can often batten out underneath it instead. If it is sagging, the joists usually need straightening, so it has to come down. We check at the inspection and tell you which method your ceiling needs, and why.
Is insulation included?
Yes, R3.5 ceiling insulation is standard. You can upgrade to a higher rating.
Can you match my cornice?
Yes. 55 mm cove is standard, and we can match your existing cornice or fit any profile, from Victoria cove to ornate heritage profiles.
Can you keep my ceiling rose?
Roses, mouldings and other heritage details can be refitted or added.
Is there a warranty?
Yes. House ceilings carry a 5-year workmanship warranty, and materials are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Start with a conversation.
Tell us about your ceiling, and add a few photos if you can. One of our experienced team will call to talk it through and, if it needs a look, book a time to inspect it. You can also text photos to 0402 252 511.