All advice / Planning and cost
The ceiling is the most neglected surface in a bathroom
Walls get new tiles. Floors get waterproofing. Fixtures get replaced. But the ceiling is often left as is, repainted at most. In many older Sydney bathrooms, the ceiling is the surface most affected by years of steam, and it is the one most likely to hide damage.
Steam rises. In a bathroom without adequate ventilation, moisture hits the ceiling first and sits there longest. Over years, this causes paint to peel, plasterboard to swell, and mould to colonise the surface and — worse — the cavity above it.
Signs the ceiling needs attention
Peeling or bubbling paint is the most visible sign. Yellow or brown staining indicates water damage — either from condensation or from a leak above. Soft or spongy patches in the plasterboard mean the board has absorbed moisture and lost its structural integrity.
Mould on the ceiling — especially in corners and around the exhaust fan — means moisture is not being cleared fast enough. Cleaning it off treats the symptom. Fixing the ventilation and replacing the damaged board treats the cause.
Our mould prevention guide covers why mould keeps returning and what a renovation does to stop it.
Exhaust fan placement and ducting
The exhaust fan should be in the ceiling, positioned directly above or near the shower — where the most steam is produced. The fan must duct to the outside of the building, not into the roof cavity. A fan that exhausts into the roof space simply moves the moisture problem from the bathroom to the roof framing.
During a renovation, the ceiling is open. This is the time to install or upgrade the exhaust fan, run the ducting to an external vent, and seal the penetration. Retrofitting ducting through a finished ceiling is more expensive and disruptive.
Our ventilation guide covers fan sizing, ducting routes and timer controls in detail.
Lighting recesses and electrical work
Recessed downlights sit in the ceiling cavity. In a bathroom, these must be rated for wet areas (IP44 or higher) and installed by a licensed electrician. LED downlights are the standard choice — they use less power, produce less heat in the cavity and last longer than halogen.
The number and position of downlights are planned during the design phase. Farah Dawood works out the lighting layout alongside the tile plan, vanity position and mirror location. The electrician installs the wiring during the rough-in, before the ceiling is lined.
Our lighting guide covers how ceiling lights work with mirror lighting and task lighting to light the room evenly.
Paint vs tiles on the ceiling
Most bathroom ceilings are painted, not tiled. A good-quality moisture-rated ceiling paint — semi-gloss or satin finish — resists condensation, is easy to clean and does not trap moisture the way a flat paint does.
Tiling the ceiling is rare and usually reserved for steam rooms or shower recesses with very high ceilings where water runs down from above. In a standard bathroom, paint is the practical and cost-effective choice.
The ceiling should be lined with moisture-resistant plasterboard (green board), not standard plasterboard. Standard board swells and degrades in a humid room. Green board handles the conditions and provides a stable base for paint.
How ETR handles bathroom ceilings
In a full renovation, the ceiling is inspected during the strip-out. Damaged plasterboard is replaced with moisture-resistant board. The exhaust fan is installed with external ducting. Downlights are wired during the electrical rough-in.
The ceiling is painted with a moisture-rated paint after tiling is complete, so no paint is damaged during the tiling process. Every bathroom is waterproofed to AS 3740 and the ceiling work is part of the overall program. A free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney is the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Should I replace the bathroom ceiling during a renovation?
If the plasterboard shows signs of moisture damage — swelling, staining, mould or peeling paint — yes. Replacing it with moisture-resistant board during a renovation is far cheaper than doing it later. If the board is in good condition, repainting with moisture-rated paint is enough.
What type of paint is best for a bathroom ceiling?
A moisture-rated interior paint in a semi-gloss or satin finish. These finishes resist condensation and are easier to wipe clean than flat or matt finishes. Some brands offer mould-resistant formulas with added fungicide.
Does the exhaust fan have to go in the ceiling?
It is the most common and effective position because steam rises. Wall-mounted fans are an option in some layouts, but ceiling fans positioned above the shower clear steam more efficiently. The key is that the fan ducts to the outside, not into the roof cavity.
Can I use standard plasterboard on a bathroom ceiling?
It is not recommended. Standard plasterboard absorbs moisture and degrades in a humid room. Moisture-resistant plasterboard (green board or similar) is rated for wet areas and provides a stable base for paint in a bathroom environment.
How many downlights does a bathroom ceiling need?
A standard bathroom of 4 to 6 square metres typically needs three to four LED downlights for even light coverage. The exact number depends on the room shape, ceiling height and whether the vanity mirror has its own lighting.