Covering Artex

Covering Artex has become a large part of the work I do, so I thought I would supply some information for you if you are considering having it removed/covered over.

Artex is a surface coating used for interior decorating, most often found on ceilings, which allows texture to be added to it. Although it is still occasionally applied to modern properties, it has generally fallen out of favour and is considered old fashioned.

WARNING

Until the mid-1980s the Artex coating was made with white asbestos to strengthen it. The texture is only harmful when in a powder form, i.e., being sanded, and poses little risk while it is undisturbed on ceilings or walls and covered with emulsion paint. With this in mind, it is extremely unwise to attempt to sand off the surface of Artex yourself using a sanding machine.

So you may be asking, what do I do when covering Artex? Firstly, I have completed and passed a course in asbestos awareness. As it says above so long as the artex is left alone it is relatively harmless, therefore I cover over the top of it using what is known as bond and skim.

The plastering is a two stage process. Firstly I apply a thin coat of bonding plaster. This covers the irregular surface and takes several hours to cure. Once hardened sufficiently, I then apply a second coat, this time of finishing plaster(skim) which I trowel to a flat smooth finish ready for you paint.

An average sized ceiling can be completed in one long day, so the disruption can be kept to a minimum.

If you have a textured ceiling which you would like making flat and smooth, please feel free to leave me a message, or give me a call and I will be happy to offer you a free quote for the work.