MF5 Top Hat Section: What It Is, Sizes, Spacings and How Many You Need
MF5 is the ceiling section of an MF suspended plasterboard ceiling, and it's often called an MF5 top hat because of its top-hat shaped profile. It's a lightweight galvanised steel section that runs at right angles underneath the MF7 primary channels, and the plasterboard is screwed to it. MF5 is sold in 3.6m lengths, in packs of 10 (36 linear metres a pack), and Alpha's installation guide fixes it at no more than 450mm centres. This guide covers what MF5 does, its sizes, the brands we stock, spacings, joins and how many packs you need.
Shop this. MF5 top hat in packs of 10 × 3.6m, plus MF7, MF6A and clips at trade prices.
Quick answer
- What it is: the furring (ceiling) section in an MF ceiling grid. Plasterboard screws to it.
- Where it goes: under the MF7 primary channels, at right angles to them, with the ends sitting inside the MF6A perimeter channel.
- How it's fixed: to the MF7 with MF9 clips or wafer head self-drill screws.
- Spacing: no more than 450mm centres in Alpha's guide. Closer centres may be needed for heavier or specified build-ups.
- Sold as: packs of 10 × 3.6m lengths. Round up to whole packs.
MF5 sizes and the brands we stock
From the manufacturers' published data and our product listings. Prices are per pack of 10 × 3.6m, ex VAT, at the time of writing (11 November 2026):
| MF5 section | Length | Steel gauge | Other published data | Price per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha MF5 (Top Hat) | 3600mm | 0.5mm | 0.50kg/m (Alpha Drywall System brochure) | £33.12 |
| Hadley MF5 (Top Hat) | 3600mm | 0.5mm | Section width 80.5mm; Euroclass A1; EN 14195 | £33.12 |
| British Gypsum Gypframe MF5 Ceiling Section | 3600mm | 0.50mm | 0.48kg/m; galvanised UltraSTEEL®; BS EN 14195; A1 | £47.39 |
That works out at about £0.92 per linear metre for Alpha and Hadley, and £1.32 for Gypframe. Each brand's MF5 is designed to work with its own MF7, MF6A and clips, so it's best to use one manufacturer's system throughout, especially where the ceiling has to meet a tested fire or acoustic specification.
How MF5 fits into an MF ceiling
- MF6A perimeter channel is fixed round the walls at the ceiling line.
- Hangers (25 × 25mm angle on soffit brackets) are fixed at 1200mm centres in Alpha's guide, and the MF7 primary channels are fixed to them, also at 1200mm centres.
- MF5 is fixed under the MF7 at right angles, at no more than 450mm centres, with MF9 clips or wafer head self-drill screws where the two cross. The MF5 ends sit inside the perimeter channel.
- Joining lengths: where one MF5 meets another, Alpha's guide says to overlap them by at least 150mm and screw them together.
- Boarding: fix the plasterboard with its long edges at right angles to the MF5. Alpha's guide gives screws at 150mm centres round the board edges and 230mm in the field, long enough to go through the boards and at least 10mm into the steel.
Our MF ceiling components guide has the full build-up, loads and fire-rated specifications.
How many packs of MF5 do I need?
Work out how many runs of MF5 cross the room, multiply by the length of each run, allow for the 150mm overlaps at joins, then divide by 36m per pack and round up. As a rough check for a 5m × 4m room with MF5 running across the 4m width at 450mm centres: 5 ÷ 0.45 = 11.1, so 12 spaces and 13 runs. 13 runs × 4m = 52m, plus about 2m for overlaps, is about 54m, which is 1.5 packs, so 2 packs. The free MF ceiling calculator does this for you, along with the MF7, MF6A, hangers, clips, boards and screws, and rounds everything up to whole packs.
MF5 vs MF7 vs MF6A
| Section | Job | Fixed to |
|---|---|---|
| MF7 | Primary support channel (main bar) | Hangers from the soffit |
| MF5 | Ceiling section (top hat) that the boards screw to | Underside of the MF7, at right angles |
| MF6A | Perimeter channel | The walls, at the ceiling line |
Frequently asked questions
What is an MF5 top hat?
The galvanised steel ceiling section in an MF suspended ceiling. It's fixed under the MF7 primary channels and the plasterboard is screwed to it.
What size is MF5?
The MF5 we stock comes in 3.6m lengths in packs of 10, with a 0.5mm steel gauge. Hadley lists a section width of 80.5mm. Check each product page for the manufacturer's full data.
What centres should MF5 be at?
Alpha's installation guide gives no more than 450mm centres. Your specification, the board weight or a fire rating may need closer centres.
Can I use MF5 without MF7?
In an MF suspended ceiling, the MF5 is carried by the MF7 primary channels, which are hung from the structure. Follow the system manufacturer's details for any other use.
Can I buy single lengths of MF5?
No. MF5 is sold in packs of 10 × 3.6m lengths only.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes, £400 ex VAT, with free delivery in England.
Order MF5
Order Alpha MF5, Hadley MF5 or Gypframe MF5, with MF7, MF6A, MF9 clips (from £22.91 a box), angle, hangers and wafer head screws from the MF ceiling system range. For the boards, see plaster and plasterboard. Prices are shown ex VAT. MF ceiling components are delivered in England, free, with a £400 ex VAT minimum order (see delivery information). Call us on 03330 908479 (Mon–Thu 8am–5pm, Fri 8am–12pm), email sales@insulationwarehousedirect.co.uk, or order online.
Guide only: figures are typical values for general information. Always check the manufacturer's current data sheets and confirm Building Regulations compliance with your designer or building control. Insulation Warehouse Direct accepts no liability for decisions made using this guide.
Sources: Alpha MF Ceiling installation guide (March 2026), Alpha MF Ceiling single layer standard details and Alpha Drywall System brochure (March 2026); Hadley and British Gypsum product data as shown on our product pages. Prices are live store prices ex VAT at the time of writing. Always follow the system manufacturer's current specification.