Artex is a material utilised for surface decorating in home interiors. It is normally chosen to add a textured surface to ceilings. Artex is still popular as a substitute to smooth plaster ceilings, and an expert painter and decorator can apply artex in many different textured design finishes. Artex describes a particular brand name, but there are other manufacturers who produce equivalent products. Older artex ceilings may be restored as well. There are many different products and applicators available in order to make this method as quick as possible. There exists a wide selection of different options with regard to the varieties of texture that artex can be applied in. It could be applied in stipple, swirl, or shell effects, all of which can be carried out as a Do It Yourself task relatively easily. Specialist painters and decorators will be able to review with you what impact would best complement your area, and make sure that artex is administered to create a superior quality and uniform finish. Artex may even be painted over, and picking out a colour that suits the texture of the surface can regenerate an old ceiling and breathe life into a space.
How much your artexing project might cost depends on how big the area is, how accessible it is and your location. Different professionals charge different amounts, and may spend varying amounts of time doing the work. However, the typical cost for an artexing project in the UK is about £200.
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Artex is a type of interior surface coating, similar to plaster. It’s used to create decorative textured finishes on ceilings and walls, so it takes longer to dry than plaster.
Artex is actually a brand name, but it’s used to refer to similar products made by other manufacturers too. It was particularly popular in the 1970s, but is still used to create attractive wall and ceiling finishes today.
Artex was originally made using white asbestos to make it stronger. However, this stopped in the mid-1980s, and the use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, due to its extreme health risks. So, any artex you buy today won’t contain asbestos.
If you have an artex ceiling or wall that was created before 1999, it may have asbestos in it. This won’t be a health hazard if you leave it undisturbed, so it’s not necessary to remove it. However, if you want to get rid of or alter your artex ceiling or wall, you must get it tested to check if it has asbestos in or not first. If it does, you’ll need to hire a qualified professional to work on it.
It’s possible to paint your artex ceiling if you want to smarten it up or make it a different colour.
If it’s never been painted before, you’ll need to paint it with a PVA-based solution or water-thinned paint layer to start with. You may want to scrape or sand off any loose or peeling patches beforehand, but only do this if you’re sure that the artex doesn’t contain any asbestos.
Once you’ve done this, follow with two coats of your paint of choice – ideally an emulsion. If your artex ceiling has been painted before then you can paint directly without priming. However, if you’re painting over a particularly bold colour with a lighter one, you might want apply a layer of white paint first.
Artexing a ceiling can be a tricky job, but whether you’re considering hiring a professional or DIY, it’s helpful to know how it’s done.
Artex is available either in a paste or powder form. The paste is ideal if you’re making small repairs or additions to an existing ceiling. But, if you have a whole ceiling to cover, the powder is more cost effective. When you’re ready to get started, you’ll need to mix the powder up with cold water according to the instructions.
It’s possible to artex over plaster, plasterboard or paint. If you have a plasterboard surface, you should tape and fill any joints or cracks before you begin. Plaster and plasterboard both require a coat of sealant or primer first. You can usually artex straight over paint, but any gloss paint should be sanded down, and any dark paints covered with a layer of white.
Artexing can get quite messy, so make sure you empty the room you’re working in as much as possible, lay down sheets and wear protective clothing and glasses. You might want to practice on a piece of board before you start on the ceiling.
Start by using a brush or roller to cover a 500 square cm area with a generous layer of artex. Then use a brush, comb or roller to create your chosen texture. Every time you do a new section of ceiling, try to blend it with the other sections you’ve done. Don’t be tempted to cover the whole ceiling before you start adding texture – the artex will dry too quickly for you to do it all in time.
Artex usually needs 12-24 hours in a well-ventilated space to dry completely.
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