Smooth, sound walls and ceilings are the base for every decorated room. We skim tired or damaged surfaces, board and plaster new walls and ceilings, and make good after electrical and plumbing work so the rest of the renovation has a clean start.
Many Edinburgh homes still have original lath and plaster ceilings, cornices and lime plaster walls. We assess what can be repaired and what needs replacing, and use breathable lime based materials where the building needs them.
What is included
- Skimming walls and ceilings
- Plasterboard walls, ceilings and partitions
- Making good after rewiring and plumbing
- Lath and plaster ceiling repairs
- Lime plastering for traditional buildings
- Repairs around cornicing and ceiling roses
- Patch and crack repairs
- Preparing surfaces for decoration
How the work runs
- Inspect. We check the condition of existing plaster and what the walls and ceilings are made of.
- Protect and prepare. Floors and fittings are covered, loose material removed and surfaces prepared.
- Plaster. Boards, backing coats and finish coats are applied to suit the wall and the room.
- Dry and decorate. We advise on drying times and when the new plaster can be mist coated and decorated.
Plastering in traditional Edinburgh buildings
Solid stone walls in older Edinburgh buildings need to breathe. Covering them with modern gypsum or impermeable finishes can trap moisture and lead to damp. Where walls are traditional, we discuss lime plaster as an option, and we take care around decorative cornices and ceiling roses, which are often worth repairing rather than replacing.
Plastering FAQs
How long does new plaster take to dry?
A skim coat usually dries in a few days, while thicker backing coats and lime plaster can take several weeks. Drying times depend on the time of year and ventilation in the room.
Can you repair a sagging lath and plaster ceiling?
Often, yes. If the laths are sound we can secure and repair the plaster. If the ceiling is too far gone, we can overboard or replace it, keeping any cornice where possible.
Do you plaster after rewiring?
Yes. Making good after electrical and plumbing work is a large part of what we do, and it is simpler when the same team handles both.
