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Plastering Guide

Which Plastering System Is Right for Your Home?

A straightforward guide from Webster Finishes, so you know what we are recommending on your walls and ceilings, and why.

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No two plastering jobs are exactly the same.

The condition of the existing walls or ceilings, how level they are, what they're made from and the finish you're hoping to achieve all affect how the job should be approached.

At Webster Finishes, we don't believe every surface should simply be treated the same way.

We assess the existing background first and recommend the plastering system appropriate for the job.

Existing Walls

The PerfectKey™ Systems

When plastering over existing walls, preparation is one of the most important parts of the job.

Where appropriate, Webster Finishes uses a compatible grit bonding preparation to create a strong mechanical key between the suitable existing background and the new plaster system.

We then offer two different approaches depending on the condition of the wall and the result you're looking for.

Standard system · £

PerfectKey™ Key & Skim

For existing walls that are already reasonably flat.

This is our standard system for suitable existing walls where the main objective is to achieve a fresh, smooth plaster finish.

The existing background is assessed and prepared before a compatible grit bonding preparation is applied where required. The wall is then skimmed with finishing plaster.

Best suited to
  • Sound existing plaster
  • Suitable painted walls
  • Walls that are already reasonably flat
  • Rooms where a fresh smooth finish is required
What should I expect?

The finished surface will be smooth and ready for decoration once properly dry and prepared. However, skimming is not the same as straightening a wall. If an existing wall has bows, hollows or other irregularities, a standard skim will generally follow the existing wall shape.

Premium system · ££

PerfectKey™ Key, Level & Skim

Our premium system for uneven existing walls.

If you're carrying out a full renovation and want the walls looking as good as reasonably possible, simply applying a skim coat isn't always enough.

The existing background is prepared and keyed, but we also use an appropriate compatible undercoat or bonding plaster where required to build out low areas and improve the overall wall plane before skimming. The wall then receives its final finishing plaster.

Ideal for
  • Full room renovations
  • Uneven existing walls
  • Walls with noticeable hollows and deviations
  • Customers looking for a higher-standard finish
  • Areas where the wall plane matters around skirting, kitchens, fitted furniture or other finishes
Why does it cost more?

There is considerably more involved. Additional materials are required, along with extra application, levelling and labour before the final skim can even begin. The result is a wall that isn't simply smooth, we've also worked to improve its overall plane.

Every existing building has limitations, so we don't promise that old walls will become mathematically perfect. Our aim is to achieve the best practical finish within the agreed scope and the limitations of the existing structure.

Side by side

What's the Difference?

Feature Key & SkimKey, Level & Skim
Existing wall preparation
Grit key where required
Finishing plaster
Smooth finish
Wall-plane improvement
Additional undercoat / build-out
Labour requiredStandardHigher
Cost£££
Best forReasonably flat wallsUneven walls and renovations

Not sure which you need?

You don't have to decide. We'll assess the walls during the survey and explain the difference where relevant.

Plasterboard

Plasterboard & Skimming

New plasterboard doesn't normally require the same preparation system as an existing painted or plastered wall.

Where the plasterboard is suitable, Webster Finishes prepares the necessary joints, angles, beads, fixings and other relevant areas before applying the finishing plaster.

If plasterboard has been fitted by another contractor, we'll inspect its condition and suitability before plastering.

Our plasterboard services include
  • Skimming existing or new plasterboard
  • Plasterboarding walls and ceilings
  • Overboarding existing ceilings
  • Boarding followed by a complete skim finish
Plasterboarded ceiling prepared for skimming by Webster Finishes
Ceiling overboarded and skimmed by Webster Finishes in Bridgwater

Ceilings

Overboarding Ceilings

Sometimes putting new plaster straight over the existing ceiling isn't the approach we'd recommend.

In those situations, overboarding can provide a new plasterboard surface over the existing ceiling. The new boards are mechanically fixed into suitable supporting structure, prepared and then skimmed.

This can be particularly useful when dealing with older ceilings or backgrounds where we'd prefer to create a new plasterboard surface rather than rely on the existing finish.

During the survey we'll advise whether reskimming or overboarding is the more appropriate option.

Artex & Textured Ceilings

Can You Skim Over Artex or Textured Ceilings?

In many cases, a suitable textured ceiling can be reskimmed, but we don't simply apply plaster over it without assessing the existing background.

PerfectKey™ Textured Ceiling Reskim. Where the existing textured coating and background are considered suitable, our process includes preparation followed by a compatible grit bonding preparation to provide a strong mechanical key for the new plaster system. The ceiling is then skimmed to produce a smooth finish.

If we're not satisfied that the existing ceiling provides an appropriate background for this method, we may recommend overboarding and skimming instead.

What about older Artex?

Some older textured coatings can contain asbestos. Where the age or composition of an existing textured coating is uncertain, this needs to be considered before carrying out preparation or other work that could disturb it.

We'll discuss this with you where relevant.

Textured ceiling reskimmed smooth by Webster Finishes

Undercoat systems

Hardwall, Bonding & Skim

Not every wall starts with existing plaster or plasterboard.

Some backgrounds require an undercoat plaster system before the finishing plaster can be applied. Depending on the background and specification, this may involve an appropriate product such as Hardwall or Bonding plaster.

  1. 1

    Assess & prepare

    The existing background is inspected and prepared for the system it actually needs.

  2. 2

    Undercoat plaster

    An appropriate undercoat, such as Hardwall or Bonding, is applied to suit the background.

  3. 3

    Build the wall plane

    Low areas built out and the surface ruled and formed before any finish goes near it.

  4. 4

    Skim and finish

    Finishing plaster applied over the undercoat and worked to a smooth finish.

This is commonly different from simply reskimming an existing wall. The exact plaster system is selected according to the background and requirements of the job.

Exterior render applied to a house in Bridgwater by Webster Finishes

Outside

Exterior Rendering

Webster Finishes also provides exterior rendering services. The correct render specification depends heavily on the property, existing background and desired finish.

For proprietary render systems, we follow the appropriate system specification and manufacturer requirements.

Exterior work is surveyed individually because access, substrate condition, existing render, cracking, water exposure, detailing and weather conditions can all affect the specification.

Our work can include
  • Traditional rendering
  • Modern thin-coat and silicone render systems
  • Render repairs
  • Preparation of existing backgrounds
  • Beads and reinforcement where specified
  • Base coats and finishing systems

Behind the finish

Why Preparation Matters

A plaster finish is only as dependable as the background and preparation beneath it. That's why Webster Finishes looks beyond simply asking "can we skim it?"

We look at
  • What the existing surface actually is
  • Whether it is sound
  • Whether it requires a mechanical key
  • Whether it is flat enough to skim, or needs improving first
  • Whether plasterboard would be a better solution
  • Whether it requires an undercoat plaster
  • Any signs of damp, movement or background failure that need addressing first

Only then do we recommend the appropriate system.

Our 2-Year Adhesion Guarantee

Qualifying Webster Finishes internal plastering work is supplied with our 2-Year Adhesion Guarantee.

If an adhesion failure is inspected and confirmed to have arisen from the plaster work supplied and applied by Webster Finishes, the affected plaster area will be repaired in accordance with the guarantee terms.

The guarantee relates specifically to our plaster work and does not cover matters such as structural movement, settlement, impact, damp, leaks, water ingress, movement or failure of backgrounds installed by others, or subsequent work carried out by other trades. Full terms are provided with qualifying work.

What Happens When You Contact Webster Finishes?

The process is straightforward.

  1. Get in touchTell us about the work and, where possible, send photographs.
  2. Property surveyWe'll inspect the areas, backgrounds and existing condition.
  3. We recommend the appropriate systemWhether that's PerfectKey™ Key & Skim, Key, Level & Skim, plasterboard, ceiling reskimming, undercoat plastering or exterior rendering.
  4. Detailed written quotationYou'll know what's included, the system being used and the price before work begins.
  5. Professional completionThe agreed preparation and plastering system is carried out.
  6. HandoverWe'll explain aftercare and provide the relevant guarantee information.

Get In Touch

Not Sure What Your Walls Need?

You don't need to know whether your property requires grit preparation, bonding, Hardwall, overboarding or a standard plasterboard skim before you contact us. That's our job. We'll inspect the existing background and explain the options before providing your quotation.

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