Swirled, stippled and patterned ceilings were very popular for decades, and plenty of homes around Birstall, Batley and Morley still have them. Many people now want a flat, modern ceiling instead. The photo above shows one of my ceilings that went from a heavy swirl pattern to a smooth finish. It can be done, and the before and after can be a big change for a room. But there is an important check to make first.
Why textured coatings need checking
"Artex" is a brand name, but people use it for most textured ceiling and wall coatings. Some older textured coatings contained a small amount of asbestos. Lambeth Council's guidance on decorative coatings notes that asbestos was banned in the UK in November 1999, so coatings produced after that will not contain it, and that it is safest to assume older ones might.
The same guidance makes an important point: the material poses no risk if it is left undisturbed and in good condition. The risk comes when it is disturbed, for example by sanding, scraping, drilling or removing it, or when it is in poor condition, such as cracking, peeling or water damaged.
What that means in practice
- Do not sand or scrape an old textured ceiling to "knock the peaks off" before you know what it is.
- Do not drill into it for new lights or fittings without checking first.
- If you are not sure how old the coating is, get a sample tested. Asbestos testing services can take a small sample and send it to a lab.
- If the coating is damaged, flaking or water stained, get advice before anyone touches it.
For official guidance on asbestos at home, the Health and Safety Executive and your local council are the places to start.
Options for a smooth ceiling
Skimming over the texture
Where the coating is sound and has been confirmed safe to work on, the usual approach is to prepare the surface so the new plaster bonds, fill out the pattern and then skim the ceiling flat. This avoids removing the old coating at all.
Overboarding
Another option is fixing new plasterboard over the existing ceiling, then taping and skimming it. This can suit ceilings that are also cracked or uneven, and it avoids disturbing the old surface. It does involve fixing through into the joists above, so the same check on the coating applies first.
Removal
Taking the coating off completely is the most disruptive option. If the coating contains asbestos, removal is a job for people trained and equipped to do it, not a plasterer with a scraper.
Cracked textured ceilings
Textured ceilings crack like any other, and a crack through an old coating counts as damage. If yours has cracks, have the coating checked before any repair work. My post on what ceiling cracks mean covers the different kinds of crack and what they tell you.
Walls with texture
Textured coatings on walls are handled the same way. Once you know what you are dealing with, a wall can usually be prepared and given a full re-skim for a smooth finish ready for paint.
Plan it around other work
If you are also having new lights, a rewire or a bathroom fitted above, think about the order. Any drilling or cutting into the old ceiling should only happen once you know what the coating is, and it makes sense for new cables and fittings to go in before the ceiling is skimmed rather than after. That way the new finish only has to be done once and nothing gets cut into fresh plaster. Let me know about any planned work when I come to quote and I can fit the job around it.
After the skim
A ceiling skimmed over texture is a full new finish coat, so give it time to dry and use a mist coat first. See how long before you can paint new plaster.
Frequently asked questions
Can I paint over Artex instead?
If the coating is sound and undamaged, painting is one way to leave it in place. Lambeth's guidance suggests a soft roller and normal emulsion for coatings in good condition.
Does every textured ceiling contain asbestos?
No. Many do not, particularly later ones. The only way to know for sure is a test.
Want a flat ceiling?
I take on ceiling plastering across Birstall and the surrounding areas, including textured ceilings once they have been checked. Get in touch for a free quote or call 07590 357963.
