Can You Plaster Over Artex?

Introduction

You may have you been considering giving your textured ceilings and walls a fresh new look? Perhaps you're tired of the textured finish of Artex and want to replace it with a smooth plastered surface. You may be wondering, "Can you plaster over Artex?"

In this article, we will explore the process of plastering over Artex and provide you with all the information you need to successfully transform your ceilings and walls.

What is Artex?

Artex is the brand name of a textured coating, generally applied to ceilings and was popular in the 1960's and 1970's. The pattern may be stipples or a decorative pattern.

Today, many people think that Artex makes their property look dated and want a modern smooth finish.

Asbestos in Artex

Artex has been around for many years. Being manufactured before 1999 it may contain asbestos. The asbestos content in Artex is typically 1-4% and is in the form of a bound matrix. Left undisturbed it presents little danger. However, when disturbed by drilling or knocking off the stipples it may release asbestos fibres which could be damaging to the health of the Contractor and the Home Owner.

Without knowing the age of the Artex (or the property) it is impossible to know when it was applied and how old it is.

Asbestos testing kits are available where a small sample of the Artex can be taken and sent off for analysis by an accredited asbestos testing laboratory. The kits are priced at around £50 and results can be known in a matter of days.

No responsible Plastering Contractor should be suggesting to knock off textured stipples without knowing if the Artex contains asbestos.

Removal of Artex containing Asbestos

Under Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation removal of Artex containing asbestos greater than 1m² is notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), meaning that the local authority and the HSE need to be notified and permission needs to be given. In our opinion, this is best carried out by a licenced asbestos removal Contractor. 

Asbestos Encapsulation

Asbestos encapsulation refers to a method of asbestos management whereby the asbestos-containing material (ACM), is sealed with a protective layer, protecting the asbestos fibres from being disturbed or damaged and thus becoming airborne.

In the case of Artex, the encapsulation can be coats of plaster or boarding over the ceiling with plasterboard.

Issues with directly plaster adhering to Artex

There are several issues with directly plastering over Artex.

The first issue is adhesion. Since the Artex is likely to be painted a bonding agent will need to be applied. Typically several coats of PVA are used. When plastering over PVA, the manufacturers of the PVA generally state that the PVA should be tacky when the plaster is applied. On a large ceiling one area of the ceiling maybe tacky whilst other areas may still be wet or maybe dry.

To overcome the problem of tackiness, Plasterers have started to use gritted adhesives, such as Feb Blue Grit or Bostik Plasterers Stabilising Primer (Green Grit).

However these gritted adhesives are not waterproof. Therefore the water contained in the plaster when it is applied can soak through the gritted adhesive and in some cases can be absorbed into the Artex. If the Artex is an air drying compound, it will re-emulsify and release itself from the plasterboard, causing the plaster to drop off.

It is possible to test if the Artex is water soluble by immersing a small sample of it in warm water for a few minutes to see if it softens.

The adhesion of any bonding agent will only be as good as the Artex on the plasterboard, the paint on the Artex, and the bonding agent on the paint. If someone has smoked for years in the house, nicotine may affect the adhesion and will need to be washed of with sugar soap.

Directly Plastering over the Artex

Due to the depth of the pattern on Artex, more than the normal two coats of finishing plaster will need to be applied to smooth it out.

Bonding coat plaster made by British Gypsum, is a lightweight backing plaster for low suction backgrounds and can be applied up to 8mm thick on a ceiling. When set, the Bonding Coat can be skimmed over with a finishing plaster, e.g. Multi Finish.

Overboarding the ceiling

In overboarding, the ceiling is covered with plasterboard, typically 9.5mm thick. The plasterboard is screwed through the Artex (causing minimal disruption to any asbestos fibres that may be present), through the existing plasterboard, into the original ceiling joists.

The plasterboard is then given two coats of finishing plaster.

In the overboarding method, there are no issues with adhesion since the plaster is applied to new plasterboard and the plasterboard is mechanically fixed, and no issues with re-emulsifying the Artex since it does not come in contact with the water in the plaster.

Overboarding is the only way Durrant & Daughter will plaster an Artex ceiling.

Benefits of Plastering Over Artex

Now that we have discussed the process of plastering over Artex, let's explore the benefits it offers:

1. Improved Aesthetics: Plastering over Artex gives you the opportunity to create a modern and sleek look for your walls. The smooth finish of plaster provides a blank canvas for your desired paint or wallpaper.
2. Modernisation. Textured ceilings can make your property look dated. Smooth ceilings can make your property look more up to date.
3. Easier Maintenance: Artex surfaces can be difficult to clean due to their textured nature. By plastering over Artex, you eliminate the nooks and crannies where dirt and dust can accumulate, making it much easier to maintain clean walls.
4. Increased Property Value: If you are planning to sell your property, plastering over Artex can significantly enhance its appeal. Potential buyers tend to prefer smooth, neutral walls and ceilings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're looking to transform your textured walls and ceilings, plastering is the answer. Plastering over Artex not only enhances the aesthetics of your space but also makes maintenance easier and can increase the value of your property.

Contact Us

Durrant & Daughter are a professional and reliable family run plastering business serving Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Bath, Bristol, Shepton Mallet, Frome, and Wells. With years of experience, we take pride in offering top-quality workmanship and ensuring a clean and tidy finish on every project. Contact us today for all your plastering needs.