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If your walls are looking tired, cracks are starting to show, you need a freshen up, or perhaps even a total renovation, you may be thinking ‘it’s time to find a plasterer near me!’.
Plastering a wall, room or home is the process of covering the walls with a thin, hard protective coating which can then be painted or wall-papered over as desired.
Decorative details such as cornices may also be added by your plastering company upon discussion.
Before you start your search for a local plasterer, we will run through some of the key information that you should consider.
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What are the benefits of plastering?
Aesthetics
First and foremost, a plastered wall simply looks better.
The surface is smooth and pleasing to the eye and any cracks or crumbling brickwork can be smoothed out and covered up.
Plastering provides the perfect base for painters and decorators, paint will apply better and last longer.
It is also an opportunity to box in and plaster over any unsightly pipes or wires that may impact the overall look of your home.
Adds to wall integrity
Plastering adds a strong hardened layer to a wall so it will by its nature add to the overall integrity. It covers any small cracks, dents or imperfections.
Any large cracks in brickwork, however, should be checked by a professional for structural suitability before any plastering work takes place.
Insulation
Traditional plaster is made from water and sand plus cement, lime or gypsum and as such will add a further layer of insulation to your basic drywall.
Heat is protected from escaping to some degree, particularly if walls were damaged before application.
Added insulation helps to make our homes more energy efficient, reducing our energy bills in turn.
Ranges of plaster are also available that provide additional insulating properties within their make-up, mixing traditional materials with cork and clay.
These can be discussed with your local plasterer who will likely have experience of similar properties in your area.
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How long will it take to plaster my home?
Generally, an average sized room will take 1-3 days to plaster, depending on the size.
A whole house obviously takes longer, particularly more intricate jobs that may require additional equipment such as hall, stairs and landing areas or those with high ceilings.
Ideally a room should be clear of all furnishings and light fittings before the job commences which will allow your plasterer to get straight to work.
The length of the job will also be impacted by the number of plasterers who are on the team. Larger jobs on tighter timescales may require more than one person.
What is the plastering process?
There are three main types of plastering:
- Solid plaster: A process of applying a quick hardening mixture directly onto masonry, brick and concrete. Strength and durability is built up by applying several coats of base and plaster.
- Lath and plaster: A process used to finish mainly interior dividing walls and ceilings. Narrow strips of wood called laths are nailed horizontally across the wall studs or ceiling joists and then coated in plaster. This is an option more commonly used in older properties.
- Skimming: A thin coat of plaster is applied to walls to create a smooth surface and cover minor imperfections. The mixture can be applied to existing plaster finish, or used to cover plasterboard walls or ceilings.
A plasterer will run through each step below as they complete your job. You can discuss with them the possibility of completing steps 1 and 2 yourself before arrival. This may help to reduce the overall cost of plastering and save time.
1. Protect the room
Plasterers work best with a clear, blank canvas and the maximum amount of room to move around in.
2. Prepare the wall
Any loose or old plaster should be removed, old wallpaper stripped. Large holes are filled. Attach plasterboard as base if required.
3. Preparation of plaster
Plaster is prepared and mixed to the correct consistency.
4. Apply
First coat is applied to the wall, the surface is smoothed over to create the flat texture.
5. Apply second coat
After the first coat has been left to dry slightly for around 20 minutes, the second coat is then applied.
6. Finish
As the plaster darkens and dries, a trowel is run over the surface with firm pressure to ensure a smooth finish.
The drying process is around three to five days, the plaster will change colour and harden.
You are then free to get your local painter in. If you’d like to know how much to budget for painting and decorating, read our guide about the cost to paint and decorate a room.
Skimming a room
Depending on the condition of your wall or room, you may benefit from skimming the walls as opposed to complete plastering.
Skimming is used to patch up existing plastered surfaces and does not include removing old plaster and starting from scratch.
It can improve the overall appearance of the room by fixing cracks and imperfections and is often used to improve the look of any problem areas before redecorating when a whole wall replastering is not required.
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Dot and dab
This technique, also known as dry-lining, is commonly used when the surface to which the plasterboard is being fixed is uneven.
It involves strategically dabbing plasterboard adhesive directly to walls and then attaching the boards in place to create a smooth, clean, even surface.
This avoids the use of wet plaster so is an altogether cleaner process, and the walls are ready for decorating much faster as you don’t have to wait for several layers of plaster to dry out.
The process is also used to fix boards to ceilings, or insulated plaster boards to walls.
Special details
If you are renovating a period property or simply have a personal taste more suited to a classic decorating style, you may wish to add some interesting details to the final finish of your plastered wall.
Cornices, coving and ceiling light roses are available in a range of styles and can add character and authenticity to your newly plastered walls.
Considering plastering your own home yourself?
You may be tempted to take on the job yourself if you’re quite DIY savvy. Here are some points to consider before you make the jump.
- Plastering is a very specific skill that requires time, experience and practise. Your finished results will be directly affected by your ability and can often prove more costly to employ a professional to fix a bodged job.
- Plastering is physically demanding and you may find it tiring and time consuming without relevant training and experience.
- Plastering hard to reach areas may require specialist equipment in order for the job to be completed safely and efficiently.
Find a local plasterer near me
Ready to take the plunge? Want to compare local plastering companies and save money?
If so, post a job to get quotes from plasterers near you.
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