Get rid of dated Artex for good
Swirls, stipples and textured patterns were everywhere in homes built or decorated from the 1960s to the 1980s, and plenty of houses in Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Caister still have them. They gather dust, are hard to repaint neatly and instantly date a room.
The cleanest fix is usually to skim over it. The textured ceiling is prepared and then plastered with a smooth finishing coat, leaving a flat ceiling that looks like new and is ready to decorate.
Why skim over Artex rather than scrape it off?
Scraping Artex off is slow, messy work, and it isn't something to start without knowing what's in it: some textured coatings applied before 2000 can contain asbestos. Skimming over the top seals the old coating in place without disturbing it. If you're unsure what your ceiling is made of, it can be tested before any work begins, and we'll talk you through this when we quote.
Re-skimming tired walls and ceilings
It's not just Artex. Re-skimming gives a fresh start to any wall or ceiling that's sound but looks tired:
- Hairline cracks and old filler patches
- Walls left uneven after wallpaper removal
- Rooms patched after rewiring or plumbing work
- Painted plaster that never looks right however many coats it gets
Where plaster is loose or blown, it's better to take it back and re-plaster instead. We'll tell you which your rooms need.
How the job runs
- Free quote. We look at the ceilings and walls and give you a clear price.
- Protection. Floors and furniture are covered and the room sheeted.
- Preparation. The textured surface is prepared so the new plaster grips properly.
- Skimming. A smooth finishing coat goes on, troweled flat.
- Clean up. The room is left tidy, ready to dry and decorate.