T
The Daily Insight

Can you skim over Artex

Author

Nathan Sanders

Published May 09, 2026

If you find that your Artex contains asbestos, there are still options for dealing with it, but they are more limited: Skimming Over Artex. … If you have patterned Artex, it’s possible to coat it with PVA to achieve a flat surface, and then skim it. Stippled Artex can’t be treated effectively in this way.

Is it easy to skim over artex?

Plastering over artex is a very common part of our trade now. … Any artex must have a backing (bonding) coat applied first as as skim coat is only 3 mm thick. Once the bonding coat is dry you apply PVA to reduce suction when skimming the top coat. This will give you the desired flat finish.

How much does it cost to skim a ceiling over artex UK?

The average cost to skim a ceiling can range anywhere between £200-£500 for a professional plasterer. Prices will depend on the size of the surface area and the complexity of the task. If you’re replastering your ceiling to remove Artex, it’s worth getting clued up on the costs with our dedicated guide.

How do you skim a wall over artex?

Ensure surface is clean, dry and firmly bonded to the background. Lightly dampen the surface with a large, wet sponge. Remove any loose or prominent texture ‘nibs’ using a stripping knife (or spatula provided, if using Smooth-It kit) Apply Artex Stabilex liberally, to seal the surface, and allow to dry.

How can I cover artex without plastering?

If it’s time to bid farewell to your artex ceiling, there are five ways you can remove it: ‘Scrape and Sand‘, ‘Cover with Plasterboard’, ‘Wet Plaster Over’, ‘Steam, Scrape and Sand’ or use ‘Eco Solutions X–Tex’. The best option for you depends on many things, including the age and condition of your ceiling.

How much does it cost to skim a room UK?

Cost provided itemCost+VAT (Lower range)Typical costRe-skimming medium room (approx. 3mx3m)£430£480Re-skimming large room (approx. 6mx5m)£536£650Plastering small room from scratch£595£636Plastering medium room from scratch£575£755

Can you smooth over Artex?

Using the spatula, load the smoother with Artex Easifix Smooth-It. Apply an even coat with firm, sweeping strokes. When the whole surface is covered, allow to dry until firm to the touch. Repeat the process as many times as required to reach the desired smoothness.

When did Artex stop having asbestos?

Until 1984 the Artex coating was made with white asbestos to strengthen it. Therefore old Artex manufactured by Artex Ltd. will contain asbestos while Artex coatings applied after 2000 may or may not contain asbestos.

Does Artex devalue house?

Now, Artex ceilings can actually devalue a house. It’s very difficult to match up new repairs onto old Artex patterns. Undamaged and painted Artex is usually harmless. However, many people don’t like asbestos–based building materials in their home and will take any opportunity to remove it.

How do you get rid of asbestos Artex?

There are two ways in which this is completed. One is through the application of steam which gently removes the asbestos Artex along with hand scraping. The other is through chemical gel application which when left to soak allows the asbestos Artex to be scraped away. Both ways are messy and time-consuming procedures.

Article first time published on

Can I wallpaper over Artex walls?

I wouldn’t recommend it. There’s far too much air and space under where the artex textures are. So it easily moved over time. If you can, then I advise either giving it a lick of paint or getting a plasterer in to skim it.

Is Artex old fashioned?

In a nutshell, Artex ruled the 70s. This retro trend is probably just as uninspiring as wood chip, and 40 per cent of us say it would stop us making an offer on a property.

How much do plasterers charge UK?

The average cost of plastering a room in the UK is between £15 to £25/hr, or £150 to £200 per day. Alternatively, typical charges of £150 per ceiling, £250 per wall or about £400 to £600 for an average room, including materials. A single wall takes 3 to 4 hours, while a room takes about a day.

How much does it cost to skim a room 2021 UK?

JobRoom Size​Average CostFull new plaster large roomApprox room size 6.1m x 5.03m. Walls only. Remove and dispose of existing plaster. Dry lining and skim, cosmetic finish.£1,300Plaster small ceilingApprox room size 2.13m x 2.16m. Overboarding and plaster.£275

Can you skim a wall yourself?

Skim coating a wall yourself is relatively easy to do and significantly cheaper than paying someone else to do it. Skim coating walls is different than just painting walls, but you will use some of the same tools, like a paint roller for instance.

What's the difference between plastering and skimming?

They are both used to decorate structures and increase the durability of a wall, but skimming is done to update an old building whereas plastering is done to a new one. Another difference between skim and plaster is that plaster surface areas are constantly rough whereas a skimmed surface area is smooth.

Why do people hate Artex ceilings?

Artex ceilings Sometimes referred to as ‘popcorn’ or ‘cottage cheese’ ceilings, they fell out of favour years ago, not only because the look was no longer considered fashionable, but also because until the mid-80s Artex was made with white asbestos to make it stronger.

How do I remove Artex from ceiling UK?

  1. Use a steamer.
  2. Move your steamer slowly but steadily along the area of Artex you want to remove.
  3. Do not leave the steamer in any one spot for too long. …
  4. Once the Artex is damp from the steam, remove it using a handheld scraper.

Can you plaster over Artex that contains asbestos?

Can I cover up or skim over textured coatings that contain asbestos? If the textured coating/Artex is in good condition then it is safe to apply a sealant, cover the coating with new plasterboard or skim over it with a new layer of plaster.

What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?

  • Shortness of breath.
  • A persistent, dry cough.
  • Loss of appetite with weight loss.
  • Fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than normal (clubbing)
  • Chest tightness or pain.

How do I know if my house has asbestos UK?

  1. The Age of a Building.
  2. Insulation. Attic insulation was frequently make using asbestos between the 1920s and the 1980s. …
  3. Interior Wall Paint.
  4. Ceilings.
  5. Wood Stoves and Fireplaces.
  6. Window Putty.
  7. Cars.
  8. Garden Sheds and Garages.

How much does it cost to remove textured ceiling?

If you’re wondering how to get rid of popcorn ceiling, you should know that removing a popcorn ceiling is a labor-intensive job, and the cost reflects it. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to remove a popcorn ceiling is between $1 and $2 per square foot. The average homeowner will pay around $1,780.

Is Artex removal expensive?

The true cost of Artex asbestos removal is not the financial price, it can also be extremely dangerous. Though it may be tempting to simply file down the old ceiling, this puts your health and safety at risk from floating fibres that will damage your lungs.

How do you remove Artex paint?

The most popular way to remove Artex is to use a steamer to loosen it and then ease it off with a scraper. This process is slow but effective, if you hold the steamer in the same place for too long, however, the Artex will liquefy and run everywhere making a mess.

Can you paper over textured ceiling?

Make sure your ceiling is conducive to wallpapering. Popcorn ceilings also aren’t good wall covering candidates, as paper may not adhere well and the texture will likely show through.

Can you wallpaper over textured ceiling?

Yes, you can apply traditional, non-pasted wallpaper to textured walls. Thicker, darker papers will do a better job at concealing the texture of the wall underneath, and you will likely need more starch to get the job done. That said, the lighter-color and -weight paper still worked pretty well.

Can I sand down textured ceiling?

If the push broom doesn’t penetrate the paint, you have two options: Sand off the texture with a drywall sander and create clouds of dust, or skim coat over the texture with fresh joint compound to make a smooth surface. After you remove the texture, you might have to refinish the drywall seams.

What is the cheapest way to cover a ceiling?

  1. Paint. It’s a great way to change the perception of your space. …
  2. Tin Tiles. Hide damage and uneven surfaces with tin ceiling tiles that introduce a vintage vibe. …
  3. Moldings and More. …
  4. Tiles or Planks.

How do I remove swirl textured ceiling?

To remove the swirl, use a 2-inch wide carbide-tipped scraper to knock down any small ridges that stick up above the main surface. Skimcoat the ceiling and then paint. With popcorn ceilings, we’ve used paint scrapers to remove the popcorn manually prior to skimcoating with plaster.

Do I need to remove Artex?

Most artex® will have been painted over the years with various coats of emulsions and this does need to be removed before you start removing the artex®. The most difficult of these coatings is vinyl silk which contains plastic polymers which when softened by any type of paint remover it can turn it into a gooey mess!

Are feature walls outdated UK?

‘Although we still use them, we think feature walls in general are slowly becoming less prevalent, as people become more courageous and treat all of their walls instead of just one,’ says Clarke. ‘We encourage this, as it makes a real impact and can make a room feel more complete.