Should I plaster over artex, or have it removed?
When it's safe to skim over artex ceilings and walls, and when you should remove it first — including what to do about asbestos in older artex.
Artex ceilings are one of the most common jobs I get asked about, especially in older Yorkshire houses from the 60s, 70s and 80s. The short answer is: in most cases we can plaster straight over it and you'll never know it was there. But there are two big things to check first.
Check 1: is it sound?
Press the artex firmly with your hand and look for any movement, flaking or loose bits. If it's solid and well-stuck to the ceiling, it makes a perfect base to skim over. If it's loose or coming away in patches, skimming on top will just trap the problem — the new plaster will eventually come down with the old.
Loose artex needs to come off, or the loose sections need cutting out and patching first.
Check 2: how old is it?
This is the important one. Artex made before about 1984 can contain a small amount of white asbestos (chrysotile). It's not dangerous when it's sealed and left alone — but it becomes a serious health issue if you sand it, scrape it, or break it up.
If your artex is from a house that was built or last decorated before the mid-80s, do not let anyone scrape or sand it without testing it first. A proper asbestos test is cheap (£30–£50 a sample) and gives you peace of mind.
If it does contain asbestos, removal needs to be done by a licensed contractor — not me, and not a normal plasterer. But — and this is the good news — skimming over it is perfectly safe, because you're sealing it in rather than disturbing it. That's exactly the approach the HSE recommends.
How we skim over artex
On a solid artex ceiling with normal pattern depth, the job is: knock off any really high points (without sanding, so no dust), apply a coat of PVA bonding agent, then a coat of bonding plaster to flatten it out, and finally a skim coat on top. The result is a perfectly flat, modern ceiling.
On really thick, swirly artex we sometimes overboard first — that's screwing fresh plasterboard over the top — then skim that. A bit pricier but a guaranteed flat finish.
What it costs
Skimming over an artex bedroom ceiling is usually £180–£300. A living room ceiling, £300–£450. Overboarding first adds £150–£250 depending on size. Full asbestos removal by a licensed contractor is much more — usually £500–£1,200+ for a single ceiling — which is why most people choose to skim over and forget about it.
Bottom line
If your artex is sound, skim over it. If you don't know how old it is, test before disturbing it. And if anyone offers to "just scrape it off" without checking — get someone else in.
Happy to come and look at your ceiling for free. Drop me a line on the contact page or call 07736 467406.
Frequently asked
- Does skimming over artex make the room feel lower?
- Barely. The whole build-up adds about 5–8mm to the ceiling. Overboarding first adds another 12.5mm but is still imperceptible in a normal room.
- Will the artex pattern show through?
- Not if it's done properly. The undercoat is what flattens it out, and the skim on top gives a perfectly smooth finish.