The short answer is yes, in most cases Artex can be plastered over to give you a smooth, modern ceiling or wall. But there are two big things to get right first: checking whether the Artex contains asbestos, and preparing the surface properly so the new plaster actually stays put. Here is how we approach it on jobs around Chelmsford and the rest of Essex.
Artex applied before the mid 1980s often contained white asbestos (chrysotile), and some products made with old stock were still being used into the 1990s. It was only fully banned in the UK in 1999. So if your home was built or decorated before 2000, you should assume the Artex could contain asbestos until a test says otherwise.
The good news is that skimming over asbestos-containing Artex is generally considered safe, because the fibres are only dangerous when disturbed. Sanding it, scraping it or steaming it off is what releases fibres, which is exactly why plastering over is usually the sensible route. A sample test from a UKAS-accredited lab typically costs around 30 to 60 pounds and gives you a definitive answer within a few days. We always recommend testing before any work that involves knocking back high stipple peaks.
Artex is a tricky surface for plaster because it is often powdery, painted with layers of emulsion, and heavily textured. Skimming straight onto it without preparation is how you end up with plaster that cracks or, worse, comes away from the ceiling in sheets a year later.
Our usual process is to first knock off any high peaks with a scraper (only if the Artex is confirmed asbestos free, otherwise the peaks get buried instead). Then the whole surface gets a coat of PVA or, better still, a proper bonding agent such as SBR or a grit primer like Blue Grit. For heavy stipple or swirl patterns, we often apply a tight first coat of bonding plaster to level out the texture, then follow with two coats of multi-finish. On a light stipple, two coats of multi-finish over primer is usually enough. A typical ceiling in a Chelmsford three-bed takes most of a day including preparation.
For a standard bedroom or living room ceiling, plastering over Artex in Essex typically runs somewhere between 200 and 450 pounds, depending on the size of the room, how heavy the texture is, and access. A hallway, stairwell or open-plan space costs more because of the working height and awkward angles. Walls tend to be a bit cheaper per square metre than ceilings simply because they are easier to work on.
Things that push the price up include very deep swirl or fan patterns that need a levelling coat, previous water damage or loose areas that need attention first, and ceilings above stairs that need a proper platform. If the Artex is failing badly, overboarding with plasterboard and skimming that instead is sometimes the better job. It costs more, often 400 to 700 pounds for an average ceiling, but it gives you a guaranteed flat, fresh surface and safely encapsulates whatever is underneath.
If the Artex is flaking, blowing off the ceiling, or was applied over failing old lath and plaster, skimming over it just adds weight to something that is already letting go. In older Chelmsford properties, particularly Victorian terraces near the city centre, we sometimes find the original ceiling behind the Artex is past saving. In those cases overboarding or a full reboard is the honest recommendation, even though it is more disruptive.
A simple test you can do yourself: press firmly on the ceiling in a few places. If it flexes, sounds hollow in patches, or you can see cracks that have been papered over, get it looked at before committing to a skim. Any decent plasterer will tell you within ten minutes of seeing it which route makes sense, and a quote costs nothing.
Yes, provided the Artex is sound and nobody sands or scrapes it. Skimming over encapsulates the material, which is the approach the HSE considers appropriate for asbestos-containing textured coatings in good condition. Always get a lab test first so you know what you are dealing with.
Most single-room ceilings take one day, including preparation and priming. The plaster is touch dry the same day but needs around a week to dry out fully before you paint, longer in cold or damp weather.
You can, but paint will not hide the texture, and thick obliterating paints tend to look patchy on heavy stipple. If the goal is a smooth modern finish, a proper skim is the only way to get there.
Send a few details and a rough idea of the work and we will come back to you. Free quotes across Essex.