Plastering Over Artex in Essex — Expert Smooth Skim Finish
Artex was the standard ceiling finish throughout the post-war era, particularly when Basildon New Town was being built between 1949 and 1980. Its textured swirls and stipples were incredibly popular, hiding ceiling imperfections quickly and cheaply. Today, however, most homeowners prefer a clean, modern, flat finish.
Because of the sheer volume of housing built during this period across Basildon, Laindon, Vange, Pitsea, and Fryerns, artex ceilings are incredibly common in Essex. We deal with artex every single week, transforming dated, heavily textured ceilings into perfectly smooth surfaces ready for modern lighting and fresh paint.
Important: The Asbestos Warning
Artex applied before the mid-1980s (and sometimes up until 1999) may contain chrysotile (white asbestos). This is critical consumer information. Fitt Plastering takes your safety and ours incredibly seriously.
- We do not remove or scrape artex that may contain asbestos. Scraping disturbs the fibres, making them airborne and dangerous.
- Skimming over artex is the safe, recommended approach endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The asbestos is safely encapsulated beneath a solid layer of fresh plaster.
- If you are concerned or specifically want the artex removed rather than covered, we strongly advise arranging an asbestos test before any works begin.
Two Approaches Explained
When dealing with artex, there are two main approaches:
- Skimming over the artex (Recommended): This is the safest, most cost-effective, and least disruptive method. We seal the artex and apply multiple coats of plaster over it. The artex is safely encapsulated forever.
- Full artex removal: This involves physically scraping or steaming the artex off. This is only suitable for artex that has been tested and confirmed 100% asbestos-free. It is much more disruptive, dusty, and expensive.
The Skimming Over Artex Process
Plastering over artex requires significantly more skill and material than a standard skim on flat plasterboard. The process involves:
- Preparation & Knocking Back: We carefully knock off any extreme high points or stalactites (only if asbestos-free or using safe encapsulation methods).
- Stabilising & Priming: We apply a heavy coat of PVA or specialist bonding agent (like Blue Grit) to seal the artex and provide a key for the new plaster to grip onto.
- The First Coat: We apply a thick base coat of plaster to fill the deep textures and level the surface.
- The Second Coat: A final finishing skim coat is applied and trowelled to a perfectly smooth, flat finish.
Pricing: Why Artex Costs More
Our standard room skimming is £295, but plastering over artex starts from £495.
This is because artex requires specialist sealing, significantly more plaster to level the deep textures, and extra labour to achieve a perfectly flat finish over a heavily textured surface.
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