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Can you plaster over Artex?

Yes, a plasterer can often skim over an Artex ceiling or wall, which avoids scraping the coating off. Artex in older homes can contain asbestos, so the preparation must not disturb it, and HSE advises using trained professionals.

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By the QuoteZila editorial team. Editorial policy.

Why plaster over Artex rather than remove it?

Artex is a brand name that became the everyday word for textured coatings on ceilings and walls, such as swirls, stipples and patterns. Many people want a smooth finish instead.

There are two main routes. One is to remove the coating. The other is to cover it, either with a plaster skim straight over the texture, or with new plasterboard and then a skim. Covering avoids scraping and sanding the old coating, which makes far less mess and avoids disturbing what is underneath.

Our plasterers page covers the trade. QuoteZila starts in Cheshire, with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach first, and anyone in the UK can post a plastering job.

What is the asbestos question?

HSE lists textured decorative coatings, commonly called Artex, among the places asbestos can be found in any domestic building built or refurbished before the year 2000 [S1]. HSE's diagrams of where asbestos can occur also show textured coatings on walls and ceilings [S2].

Not every textured coating contains asbestos, and you cannot tell by looking. HSE says that asbestos materials in good condition and unlikely to get damaged are often better left where they are [S1]. It says not to try to repair or remove asbestos materials yourself without training for non-licensed asbestos work [S1].

HSE asks householders to tell builders and other trades about any asbestos materials in their home before they start, and strongly encourages using trained professionals to repair or remove them [S1]. Mention the age of the house and the coating in your job, and ask the plasterer how they handle textured coatings that may contain asbestos.

Some people have the coating tested first. Ask the plasterer whether they recommend that and who would take the sample. This page does not give a method for sampling or disturbing the coating.

How does plastering over Artex work?

The details vary, but a plasterer who skims over a textured coating usually:

  • checks the coating is sound and firmly stuck, with no flaking, cracking or water damage
  • seals or primes the surface with a bonding product so the new plaster grips
  • applies a first coat to fill the texture and bring it level
  • applies a finish coat to give a smooth surface ready for decorating

A heavily patterned coating may need more plaster to bury the high points. Ask the plasterer how they plan to deal with the peaks without scraping or sanding them.

The alternative is overboarding: fixing new plasterboard to the joists through the old ceiling, then taping and skimming. It gives a flat new surface, lowers the ceiling slightly, and means screwing through the coating, so the plasterer needs to know about the possible asbestos risk first.

When is plastering over not suitable?

Covering the coating is not a good idea when:

  • the coating is loose, flaking or water-damaged
  • the ceiling itself is sagging, cracked or bulging
  • there is an active leak above
  • you need to cut many holes, for example for new downlights or a loft hatch

Damaged coatings may need assessment and removal by a trained contractor rather than covering. HSE says an environmental health officer at your local council can give advice on asbestos in your home [S1]. Our Artex removal cost guide and asbestos removal cost guide explain those jobs.

What should you ask a plasterer?

  • How will you prepare the coating without sanding or scraping it?
  • Will you skim directly or overboard, and why?
  • How do you handle textured coatings that might contain asbestos?
  • What bonding product and plaster will you use?
  • Will you protect the room and furniture, and who clears up?
  • When can the new plaster be painted?

Our Artex ceiling guide covers the choices in more depth, and our ceiling repair cost guide helps if the ceiling itself needs work.

Jobs you might post

These are examples, not taken from real job posts.

  • "Swirled Artex ceiling in a 1970s living room. Please quote to skim over it smoothly. House built before 2000."
  • "Stippled Artex on a hallway ceiling with a small crack. Please advise whether to skim or overboard, and quote."
  • "Textured wall in a bedroom. Please quote to plaster over it, and say how you would prepare it."

QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1]. Your job goes to up to five matched local businesses [QZ2].

Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.

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Questions about plastering over Artex

Does all Artex contain asbestos?

No, but some older textured coatings do, and you cannot tell by looking. HSE says asbestos may be part of any domestic building built or refurbished before the year 2000, including textured decorative coatings. If in doubt, treat it as if it might, and ask about testing.

Can you sand Artex before plastering?

Do not sand, scrape or steam a textured coating that might contain asbestos. HSE says not to try to repair or remove asbestos materials yourself without training for non-licensed asbestos work. A plasterer can explain how they prepare without disturbing it.

Is plasterboarding over Artex an option?

Yes. Fixing new plasterboard over the old ceiling, then skimming, is another way to cover Artex. It means screwing through the coating into the joists, so tell the plasterer the coating might contain asbestos before they start.

Does QuoteZila check plasterers?

No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.

This page is general information, not professional or legal advice. QuoteZila does not check Gas Safe, WaterSafe, NFRC, NICEIC or other registrations against the register on your behalf: look them up yourself.

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Sources

  1. QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and FAQ copy.
  2. QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ How does getting quotes work.
  3. S1: Asbestos: frequently asked questions, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 2026-11-02. https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/faq.htm
  4. S2: Diagrams showing where asbestos can occur in buildings, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 2026-11-02. https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/diagrams.htm