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Plastering is one of those jobs that you either love or hate. While it's possible for you to do it yourself, there aren't many people who willingly take up the task.
Do you need some plastering work done, but you don't relish the thought of tackling this job yourself?
That's not surprising; it can be messy, extremely frustrating, and exceptionally difficult to get right!
And that's why companies like Top Notch Walls exist - we have the expertise, patience and tenacity to achieve perfection in all aspects of plastering work. To us, plastering is an art, not a chore to be endured. Our Darlington plasterers are trained to a high standard and will take on all tasks with enthusiasm.
Finding reliable plasterers located in Darlington, however, can be a challenge as there are too many disreputable or amateurish plasterers out there.
We'll cover this further along, but in the meantime, here's some information about plasterers and their work to give you an insight into how Top Notch Walls can help you.
Whether it's a new build or a renovation, you'll find plasterers working on-site at some stage.
All professional plastering contractors provide a range of services, including the following:
Applying a plaster mix to a wall is known as wet plastering, for obvious reasons.
And while plastering a wall or ceiling might seem like an easy job, it takes skill and experience to use a trowel correctly and achieve a high-quality finish.
All surfaces have to be prepared properly and the plaster needs to be mixed to the right consistency for the job and the conditions.
This is a thin coating applied to hard floor surfaces (often concrete) either for decorative purposes or to receive a further material, such as carpet, tiles, or a natural stone finish like marble.
Usually reserved for renovations and improving older buildings, skimming provides a beautifully smooth surface with a thin layer. This is often applied over the top of existing plaster to level the surface and cover cracks.
It can also be used on plasterboard to fill in the gaps and give a smooth surface.
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Panels made of gypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate) “dry lining” known as plasterboard or drywall are often used to cover a large area instead of plastering a wall or ceiling, mostly as it's a much quicker process. The gypsum is sandwiched between a facer and a backer made from heavy-duty paper - one side is lighter in colour, and this faces outwards.
These panels are attached to walls and ceilings to make them ready for decoration and skimmed over with a thin layer of plaster. They are either nailed on or stuck to the wall using the dot and dab method using skim plaster.
Your plasterer should also be able to handle features like cornicing, coving, Venetian plastering, textured plaster, artex and corbels or any type of decorative features within the property.
Related post: Can you plaster over artex?
This mostly applies to exterior work, although renders can be used indoors. While there are specialist external render companies, many professional plasterers are able to apply render to your exterior walls.
If you have any queries about the plastering services we provide, don't hesitate to get in touch!
The work of a plasterer is frequently misunderstood, and the process is sometimes regarded as easy. Our Darlington team can confirm that this is far from the case!
On most projects, there are several stages that have to be followed for the best results, which go something like this:
This is only a general overview of a basic plastering project, although it can be much more complex than this depending on the customer's design requirements.
The final cost will vary greatly, depending on what needs plastering and how complex the job is.
This breakdown highlights the kind of issues that affect the price:
Finally, it's worth asking whether the contractor will charge for the whole job rather than by the day, as you'll benefit if the work runs over time.
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Speak with our experts today to get a free quote for your plastering project and to discover how we can resolve all of your plastering issues.
One of the best methods of finding Darlington plasterers you can trust is to ask friends, family, colleagues - or anyone you know! Word-of-mouth is often a great indicator of whether a company or service is worth using.
Also, search online for reviews and testimonials as these are a good gauge of a company's reliability.
Bear in mind that an established trader will have more reviews, but that doesn't always mean that new businesses should necessarily be avoided.
Check to see if the plasterer has Public Liability Insurance and any other endorsements or affiliations with recognised building industry organisations such as the FPDC (Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors) or the GMC (Guild of Master Craftsmen).
We would also encourage you to look at sites like Checkatrade or Trusted Trader and enter your location in the form field, as this will return a list of local plasterers that you can rely on.
Plastering is something that you want to get right the first time. You want your Darlington home, restaurant, office, shop - wherever the project may be - to look its absolute best.
That's why you need a trusted team of experts like Top Notch Walls to take on the task for you.
We can handle any of the plastering methods and techniques mentioned here, and much more besides, all to a high standard that will make your property look fantastic.
Don't hesitate to contact us for advice on any plastering project you are considering, or to ask for your free quote.
Top Notch Walls aims to deliver exceptional quality work with each project, whether it's to plaster a wall or an entire building, no matter how complex or grand your design may be.
Call today, and we'll get started on your project as soon as possible. Whether it's a renovation or a new build, we'll apply our expertise to provide the best possible service to all of our customers.
A wall might need plastering if you notice visible damage such as cracks, holes, or loose plaster. Additionally, if the wall's surface is uneven, has bubbles or signs of moisture damage, or if the existing plaster is very old and crumbly, it's likely in need of plastering.
The best type of plaster depends on the condition of your walls and the desired finish. For new, bare walls, gypsum or lime-based undercoat plaster is often used, followed by a finishing plaster. For walls with some damage, you might need bonding plaster. If the wall is just slightly uneven or you're refreshing old plaster, a skim coat may be sufficient.
Cracks in plaster can be due to several factors such as poor application, age, structural movement, or dampness. Small cracks can often be fixed by a process called 'raking out,' where the crack is widened, cleaned, and then filled with appropriate filler or plaster. Larger or recurring cracks might need more significant repair work or a complete re-plaster.
Plastering itself does not solve the issue of damp walls; it's vital to address the root cause of the dampness first, like a leak or condensation issue. Once the damp issue is resolved, a plasterer can use a waterproof backing plaster before applying the finish plaster to help prevent future moisture problems. However, severe damp issues may require the services of a damp proofing specialist.
