Walls & Ceiling Plastered In Kitchen

Tuesday 28 December 2010

The Art of Plastering

Plastering Tip 5: Get the perfect finish - but don´t over polish
The perfect plaster finish looks and feels like eggshell, and there is one very important reason for this - paint and wallpaper will peel away from a highly polished surface.
On the final trowelling DON´T get carried away - you don´t want the situation where paint will peel easily in some areas and stick rock hard in others - completely ruining the plaster finish. www.plastering4u.com

Monday 20 December 2010

The Art of Plastering

Plastering Tip 4: Cleanliness is key to creating that perfect plaster finish
The best tip I was ever given while learning the trade is to always clean up as you're plastering. Let me explain: Any contamination in your plaster mix will result in either the plaster setting or going off too quickly, and since plastering is generally a race against time, anything that reduces the time you have to complete your job is ultimately going to cause more work than less. Therefore it is essential that buckets and equipment are washed up as you go.
 Remember, even the tiniest fleck of dried plaster from a previous mix can cause pulls and drags in your plaster finish and lead to frustration. Always ensure the water used for plastering is clean. www.plastering4u.com

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Plastering over Artex

The usual procedure is as follows:



  •  scrape off as much as possible any thicker and spikey pattern
  •  paint the whole of the area using bond-it (an adhesive material)
  •  let it dry
  •  apply a thin coat of carlite bonding to flatten the ceiling
  •  apply 2 coats of multi finish plaster



Another method that can be used in certain circumstances is to fix plasterboard to the ceiling then skim. www.plastering4u.com

Friday 10 December 2010

Plastering a Loft

A great way to gain more living space is to convert an attic or loft. I was asked to plaster a loft that had recently been converted into an extra bedroom. First I had to fix plasterboard to the roof beams, then "tape & join", so creating the ceiling.The walls were then plastered to a smooth finish. www.plastering4u.com
This project can be viewed below.

Monday 29 November 2010

The Art of Plastering

Plastering Tip 3: Don't try to take on too much!
When attempting to plaster for the first time - it's good to start on a small wall -  i.e. an area that can be covered with a single coat in 20 minutes or less.
 Don't try and get the surface perfect during this first coat. Allowing the plaster to dry before applying the second coat will greatly improve the final finish. Using this technique not only makes plastering quicker but you will end up with a better finish every time. www.plastering4u.com

Friday 19 November 2010

The Art of Plastering

Plastering Tip 2: How to mix your plaster perfectly
 Mixing plaster is not "rocket science" but there are some basic rules to follow. Always use clean water to mix the plaster as any contamination can cause the plaster to go off before you've applied it. You MUST always add the plaster to the water (on roughly a 50:50 basis so half a bucket of water will make a full bucket of plaster).
My top tip is to first add just enough plaster so that it heaps on top of the water and mix in until lump free. Then add smaller amounts of plaster by hand until the consistency is smooth and lump free ("like melting ice-cream")
  A great way to test the consistency of the mix is by standing a stick in the mix....if the stick can stand on its own then the plaster is mixed perfectly. www.plastering4u.com

Wednesday 10 November 2010

The Art of Plastering

Plastering skills
After years of experience, I can make plastering a wall or ceiling look easy and effortless. When done well, smooth creamy plaster glides onto the surface and dries out evenly and perfectly flat. Hers's the first of 5 top tips that won't turn you into a Master Plasterer overnight, but will make plastering a wall or ceiling less tricky in the future.


Plastering Tip 1: Ensure your surface is properly prepared before plastering
 Plaster will not adhere securely to any surface that is damp, dusty, wallpapered or unstable without some prior preparation. You must remove any loose areas of existing plaster, dust or paper. Next, the surface must be treated with a mixture of PVA glue and water (this should be 3 parts PVA to 1 water). Allow to dry until the surface becomes tacky, then apply the first coat of plaster www.plastering4u.com 

Monday 8 November 2010

Private Dungeon - Built, Plastered, Tiled

One of the most unusual projects I've been involved in , was when I was asked to create a Private Dungeon.
I'd previously carried out some projects for a customer who one day asked me to build a dungeon in his basement! My first impression was "Are you serious?" He most definitely was. His only wish was that I use materials to make the dungeon as authentic as possible.
The area for the proposed dungeon was a circular room with concrete block walls, approx. 12 metres across by 3 metres high. There was one electrical point that had been installed in case the area could be converted in the future.
My first job was to enlarge the access and insert a large doorframe. All the rubble was removed, a membrane laid and concrete poured to create a level base on which to work. Then the electrics were installed: cables, wall lights, centre light, wall sockets and underfloor heating.
 Private dungeons require a cleaning/washing area where clients/victims can he showered or hosed down after their "painful/pleasurable torture experience". This I achieved by knocking through a section of the circular wall; laying a concrete base; building block walls, then tiling the new walls and floor.
 In the dungeon area I laid some rustic stone blocks to create an authentic dungeon floor. The ceiling was plastered & painted, the "torture rack" and other dungeon essentials installed.




If you, like me were fascinated by this project and now want your very own private dungeon then please get in touch. Your privacy will be respected. www.plastering4u.com

Friday 5 November 2010

Plastering Skills Required

Although I've been involved in the trade for many years now, I still have the same passion and enthusiasm for plastering as when I first picked up a trowel. The question I am asked by clients and apprentices alike is "what skills are required to be a top-class plasterer?". Well here's the answer:

  • have good co-ordination and practical ability
  • be physically fit
  • be able to work quickly and as part of a team
  • have numeracy skills for calculating surface areas to be covered and volume of materials needed
  • be aware of health & safety issues
For more advice & information, get in touch www.plastering4u.com

Thursday 4 November 2010

Plastering and Tiling a Luxury Apartment


This has to be one of my favourite projects - I was asked to convert a basement into a one bedroom luxury apartment. The video shows the plastering and tiling in the Bedroom and en suite