Replacing a gib board roof space entrance

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Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Replacing a gib board roof space entrance

alisam

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#324831 1-Jun-2026 10:33

I have a cutout in a ceiling to access the house roof space.

The cutout has architraving around it and the cutout is covered by painted gib board. The gib board is 36 years old and has deteriorated due to infrequent access to the roof space.

I just need to measure the gib board and replace it with a piece of suitable board and then paint it.

What would be a suitable product I could purchase and then get custom cut by (say) Mitre 10. I don't think it would matter if the thickness is greater than gib board (within reason of course).

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#3499032 1-Jun-2026 10:40

Plywood?

mdooher

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#3499035 1-Jun-2026 10:59

are you talking about the manhole cover? If so use MDF. either 16 or 18mm depending on how big the hole is.

Matthew

alisam

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#3499036 1-Jun-2026 10:59

Jase2985:

Plywood?

I have only just realised that some products e.g. plywood come in large sheets. Having a piece cut out of a sheet will probably mean a lot of wastage.

I should have measured first and then looked around for the wood.

alisam

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#3499037 1-Jun-2026 11:00

mdooher:

are you talking about the manhole cover? If so use MDF. either 16 or 18mm depending on how big the hole is.

Yes

Jase2985

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#3499039 1-Jun-2026 11:13

Bunnings do smaller sheets of MDF, Plywood etc

Dynamic

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#3499042 1-Jun-2026 11:28

cutshop.co.nz is an option for a custom sized piece

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alisam

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#3499043 1-Jun-2026 11:31

Dynamic:

cutshop.co.nz is an option for a custom sized piece

FYI. The web site is not active (yet).

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#3499045 1-Jun-2026 11:34

If you want the paint to match the ceiling use MDF, You will never get a good finish with Ply (well not the cheap stuff anyway) and Like Jase said you can buy smaller sheets at bunnings.

Another option is go to your local kitchen joinery place and ask them to cut you a piece of MDF... or they could also do a piece of matt finish Melamine (if you would be happy with that look) Not my style but fingerprints wash off if you are going up and down a lot

Matthew

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#3499047 1-Jun-2026 11:41

Every house I've owned has the hatch in a closet - so they don't mess up the look of the ceiling but are a PITA to access.

alisam

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#3499048 1-Jun-2026 11:43

mdooher:

If you want the paint to match the ceiling use MDF, You will never get a good finish with Ply (well not the cheap stuff anyway) and Like Jase said you can buy smaller sheets at bunnings.

Another option is go to your local kitchen joinery place and ask them to cut you a piece of MDF... or they could also do a piece of matt finish Melamine (if you would be happy with that look) Not my style but fingerprints wash off if you are going up and down a lot

Good advice.

I am not great fan of MDF, but getting a better paint finish is what I want to achieve.

alisam

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#3499049 1-Jun-2026 11:46

johno1234:

Every house I've owned has the hatch in a closet - so they don't mess up the look of the ceiling but are a PITA to access.

My hatch was in an upstairs Study, but I converted the Study to a small (childs) bedroom.

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#3499052 1-Jun-2026 12:13

alisam:

Dynamic:

cutshop.co.nz is an option for a custom sized piece

FYI. The web site is not active (yet).

Sorry, cutshop.com (they are local)

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larknz

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#3499053 1-Jun-2026 12:47

mdooher:

Another option is go to your local kitchen joinery place and ask them to cut you a piece of MDF... or they could also do a piece of matt finish Melamine (if you would be happy with that look) Not my style but fingerprints wash off if you are going up and down a lot

Many kitchen joinery places give away offcuts, some of them can be quite big.

tweake

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#3499070 1-Jun-2026 13:05

i would not use anything thats overly thick. it just makes it heavy for no gain.

also don't forget to glue your insulation onto the back of it. insulation needs to be continuous for it to work well.

alisam

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#3499087 1-Jun-2026 13:28

tweake:

i would not use anything thats overly thick. it just makes it heavy for no gain.

also don't forget to glue your insulation onto the back of it. insulation needs to be continuous for it to work well.

What insulation?

But, I do have some spare insulation, so can do it. Thanks.

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