Artex is a building material that is used for for surface decorating inside the interior of homes. It is commonly worked with to apply a textured surface to ceilings. Artex is still fashionable in place of smooth plaster ceilings, and a professional painter and decorator can apply artex in a selection of different textured style appearances. Artex refers to a specific brand name, but there are various manufacturers who manufacture very similar materials. Older artex ceilings may be fixed as well, with a range products and applicators on the market in order to make this method as convenient as possible. There's a wide range of different options when it comes to the sorts of texture which artex may be used to create. Stipple, swirl, or shell effects may be administered, all of which can be executed as a DIY job reasonably easily. Specialist painters and decorators can discuss with you which style would best complement your room, and ensure that artex is applied in a quality and uniform surface. Artex may even be painted over, and opting for a shade which complements the texture of the surface can revitalize an old ceiling and breathe life into an area.
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.
| Avg. price low | Avg. price low |
|---|---|
| Avg. price | Avg. price |
| Avg. price high | Avg. price high |
£400
£300
£200
£100
£0
| Labour cost | £140 | |
| Material cost | £50 | |
| Waste removal | £10 |
Requests for quotations in Herefordshire in June 2026
Requests for Artexing quotations in Herefordshire in June 2026. 0% change from May 2026.
Requests for Artexing quotations in Western Midlands in June 2026. 0% change from May 2026.
Hereford - HR4
Enquiry from: Mark P
Start Date: Less than one month
Ceiling needs patching, an area of approximately 4ft x 2ft to match existing. Are you the property owner: Owner of the property Property Type: Residential What are you looking to Artex: Ceiling How ma...
Hereford - HR1
Enquiry from: Heidi Y
Start Date: Less than one month
3ft sq swirly type artex needs repairing to large lounge ceiling (was from water damage) Are you the property owner: Owner of the property Property Type: Residential What are you looking to Artex: Cei...
Hereford - HR2
Enquiry from: Julia S
Start Date: Immediate
a bathroom wall and around window also part of two ceilings from water damage
Worcester - WR5
Enquiry from: Steven S
Start Date: 1 to 3 months
Home Owner Customers Own Description: I have water damage to an area of my kitchen ceiling. As it is artexed I think it will all need to be replaced. It is approximately 4m x 5m and has one ceiling...
Answer a few quick questions, so we can match you with local plasterers who can help.
Get free, no-obligation local artexing quotes from 4 verified plasterers working in Herefordshire.
Compare customer reviews, services and prices, and choose the right tradesperson for you.
Would highly recommend, they found me a firm which I was happy with a quote they give me and went ahead and had my job done within 2 days of enquiring.
Good easy way to find a selection of trades you need all in one place.
Love Local Quotes it's a big part of my Business I would recommend to anyone
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.
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.
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.
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.
We can help you get more artexing work with our qualified job leads and boost your business.
Join today