Textured coatings such as Artex were popular for decades, and many homes still have swirls, stipples or peaks on their ceilings. The good news is that most of them can be covered with a smooth, modern finish without taking the ceiling down.
Check for asbestos first
Textured coatings applied before 2000 may contain small amounts of asbestos. It is generally low risk while left undisturbed, but it must not be sanded, scraped or drilled until it has been tested. A sample test from an accredited lab is inexpensive and quick, and it tells you which options are safe.
How skimming over Artex works
- Sharp peaks are carefully knocked back where it is safe to do so.
- The surface is sealed with a bonding agent so the new plaster grips.
- Deep textures get a first coat to fill the pattern.
- A final skim coat gives a smooth surface ready for decoration.
When to replace the ceiling instead
Skimming is the right choice when the ceiling is sound. If it is sagging, cracked across the boards, water-damaged or very uneven, overboarding with new plasterboard and then skimming — or replacing the ceiling — gives a better long-term result.
Typical timescale
An average room's ceiling is usually skimmed in a day, with the plaster ready for a mist coat after it has fully dried and turned an even pale colour.