Skimming to plasterboard and other solid surfaces is a popular method of providing a smooth finish. Plaster is usually applied in 2 x 2 mm coats depending on the background you are working on.

Float and set can be achieved over masonry backgrounds such as brick or block work by either traditional sand and cement or by a lightweight Gypsum plaster product. Both would be finished with a setting skim top coat.

Dot and dab dryline is a quick, simple, and efficient method to directly adhere plasterboard to solid walls. Once set, the boards are ready for tape and jointing or skimming. This option can also be used to affix insulated plasterboard to interior walls with the use of additional mechanical fixings.

Ceilings and walls can either be over boarded with plasterboard or if clear of asbestos, can be lightly scraped back to remove any high spots of the textured pattern of Artex. If choosing the scaping back method a priming agent must be applied. Once plasterboard has been affixed or priming agent has dried two coats of finishing plaster are applied and worked to a smooth finish. Skimming can only be done following testing of traces of asbestos by a certified company.

A visit to your home would be essential to assess damaged areas or repairs need. Often many areas can be repaired by cutting back any damaged excess material and blended into existing plaster.

Old ceilings are taken down and bagged ready for your disposal, a small skip is worth considering hiring depending on the size of your job. Joists are de-nailed and new plasterboard is affixed into place ready for a skim coat plaster.

There is a variety of different Plasterboards available, depending on the area they are to be used in, some of these include standard plasterboard, acoustic soundboard, fire retardant board and moisture resistant board. (see dot and dab dryline). Plasterboard can easily be affixed to a stud wall. This is a semi-hollow timber framed structure that can be easily assembled to divide a space or simply to box in pipes.

Applying render to a wall is a great way to protect it from the elements. Cement renders can be applied to walls made from brick or stone requiring a two-coat process, however if you opt to use expanding metal laths this may require a three-coat process. Your outside render can be finished with a float and sponge giving a smooth surface or a textured surface using rough cast or Tyrolean.

Monocouche is a modern pre-coloured render material. designed to decorate and protect buildings without the need to paint. Monocouche is available in a wide range of traditional and contemporary colours and finishes.

Lime craft is a traditional process which has been used for 100’s of years and is now being more widely used as it is known to be environmentally friendly. Specialising in every aspect of lime plastering and rendering I have the knowledge and experience to carry out your restoration requirements. For both interior and exterior plasterworks we are able to reinstate all types of wooden laths and modern wood wool boards depending on your requirements. Internal lime plasterwork can be applied to a variety of backgrounds such as brick flint, wooden lath or wood wool insulation boards. Haired lime plaster is used on walls and ceilings using a three-coat process application. There is also the option of a variety of lime skim coats. Materials range from traditional lime putty plasters to modern eco-friendly lime-based plasters. There is a range of lime renders that can be applied to a variety of external backgrounds, such as wooden laths, brickwork, clay clunch and flint work. The application, like interior, lime works tends to be done using a three-coat process depending on the lime product being used. The final, third application of lime render can be given a smooth trowelled finish, a light sponged finish or a textured Tyrolean finish. If required decorative panelling can be created.