Shall I get rid of Artex?

9 years ago

Hi all
I've modernised my house in most ways now but the only remaining thing I'm not sure about are the ceilings, with ceiling rose and Artex. The rooms are already very small, and pendant lights sort of male them look even smaller.

I have already had the bathroom, hall and kitchens skimmed with down lights, so the remaining rooms which still have Artex and roses are:

Bedroom 1 - 3m x 2.8m
Bedroom 2 - 2.1m x 3.4m
Landing
Lounge - 3.2m x 2.6m

I've already had a quote of £1000 parts and labour for down lights to replace the pendants, and am awaiting quotes to skim the ceilings for a complete job.

Questions I have are:

1) does Artex ceilings really put people off, do you notice it?
2) supposing the full job is between 2-2.5k, would you bother if it was you?

I'm struggling to work out the benefits beyond asthetics, I am assuming that visually downlighting and smooth ceiling is going to make a big difference?

Thanks!
Alan

Featured Answer

alant1000
Original Author

9 years ago

I've finally had it done, all, painted and downlights fitted! The difference is amazing, obviously it looks far better but also the additional lighting which I have now included with warm white bulbs makes a huge difference - all surfaces look brighter and larger and the whole house looks much more modern. £1630 very well spent. I had 4 rooms done in total.

Pics before and after are not that exciting as it's hard to make a ceiling look interesting, but here they are anyway!

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Comments (27)

PRO
ASVInteriors
9 years ago
If you have already invested an amount of money in redoing your home, it seems a pity to leave it unfinished. I hate the price, but I do feel there is a benefit. Maybe you can shop around for less expensive quotes?
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes thanks, I do need a hunt around. My next door neighbour is an electrician (a good one!) and he's had friends over today for the plaster quote. At this point I have no idea at all what price they will come back with - but they did say it would be quicker to plaster board, then skim the ceiling rather than just plaster over (which I had done in the bathroom, hall and kitchen. The quotes will also include the painting.

Hopefully they are not pulling the wool Ives my eyes with parts costs?
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Why not get it removed by a specialist? Artex isn't particularly expensive in asbestos terms and then you've eliminated the risk totally. You can't screw or nail into asbestos because you'll release fibres so fixing wood over it wouldn't be safe for you and your family. If it has to stay then skim over it.
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Oh dear god why would you artex over a fireplace!? If you have a period property with the original fireplace - keep it! You are lucky! I curse the previous owners of my house for removing the original fireplaces.
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Hi Jenny, I think i'm there with the description. The new windows and doors are going on the left, correct? I can see in the back ground the slanted ceiling. However, i'm still confused with the T.V comment, as you say you don't want it facing the windows and that's what it currently does. There is also a radiator on the far wall under a window, is that to remain or be re-sited? If you replace the long wall with windows and doors, you would need to say where they are exactly and how wide. The radiator could do with be re-sited and in my opinion maybe get rid of the window on the far wall. If you don't get rid of the window you are limiting yourself greatly with the placement of furniture. Here's a few scenarios:- keeping the window and the radiator:- Removing the window and re-siting the radiator to the other end of the room - log burner on left in tall corner:- Removing the window - log burner on the right - tv facing in to the room away from the window:- Log burner not in either corner - window removed - fireplace built for log burner with alcoves allowing storage and T.V Corner placement:- This would probably allow more seating - possibly a 3 and a 2 seater sofa. Radiator re-sited to the far end adjacent to the door.
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My stepson is a plasterer and he usually skims over artex, but yours is very textured so may be worth getting a plasterer in to advise and quote. This is something plasterers deal with daily (oh the fashion for artex in the 80s!) so they really have seen it all before. I think the wooden partition and rails can be done by a carpenter or a builder. The lighting is better sorted by an electrician. So I would start with removal of wood, fit new rail etc, sort out lighting then lastly get the walls plastered. I agree that the carpet does need updating.
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PRO
ASVInteriors
9 years ago
Let us know how it goes. I suppose it also depends whether you are based in a big city or elsewhere. Prices do vary.
Gerry Rust
9 years ago
Personally I think Artex is the spawn of the devil and I would most definitely notice its presence! Having said that I wouldn't rule out buying a house because of it, particularly if the worst of it had already been eliminated. The quotes sound a bit steep but I'm no expert, hopefully you will find some cheaper ones. If not then I would make a decision based on how much they bother you versus the cost of removing them rather than worry about hypothetical buyers in the future :-)
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
I've got the price to £1630 inc VAT for both electrical and plastering / painting for the 4 rooms, 6 downlights in the lounge, 4 in each bedroom and 3 in the landing - I'm pretty happy with this to be honest!

So I think I'll go ahead, I know I'll be pleased when it's done. :)
scottmcunningham
9 years ago
A problem you will have with plaster boarding prior to skimming is the coving. A plasterer should be able to skim up to the coving without losing any detail. Whereas 9.5mm of plaster board first, you will loose the step in the cove.
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Myers mahoot this out me off one of the people who quoted, just seemed like overkill, especially as I'd already had the bathroom and kitchen skimmed without the need for plaster boards. Just sounded like a bit of an over the top additional expense item to add to the bill.

When you have a flashy brand new white Merc on the drive (not even mine, company car) I think some tradesman try it on a bit.
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Myers = yes. My spellcheck is getting worse by the day :(
PRO
earth-design
9 years ago
It has to go,Artex is horrible and will get in the way of any design
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
Price you've got of £1630 sounds pretty good to me! It will make a big difference, especially the downlights, definatley worth the money and I would go ahead if it was my house. We are looking at buying an older home that needs lots doing to it and one of the things that 'must' get done is the artex - it's on the 5 year plan though as there is plenty else to do before that!
User
9 years ago
We had our thick ice cream style after on the ceiling was replaced as soon as we moved in as it's such a messy job it needs to be done before any other decorating (experience!) we made the mistake of going for the cheapest quote for the 1st 2 bedrooms, but he made such a shocking job we changed to a higher quote who gave a much better finish. You need to consider removing and then replacing any existing coving depending on the thickness or cover or even re boarding if exceptionally thick or ceilings particularly lumpy as smooth ceiling shows EVERY single blemish! Well worth the extra cost and effort tho, it opens the rooms up no end!!
PRO
Stella Michael
9 years ago
Beware, a house full of downlights can look a bit cold and commercial. Consider a very shallow pendant as well as various lamps and levels of light so you don't have to have it on all the time.
PRO
LD ceilings
9 years ago
In a lot of cases you can just skim over the artex. They just need to go round & scrape it all taking back all of the high points. If the artex is too thick (sounds like it isn't) it can be bonded & skimmed. Not only the problem of losing your coving detail with boarding it the final timber joist will be where the coving is. This will stop them getting a fixing at the end & is likely to result in the boarded curving over.
Victoria
9 years ago
Do you know when the artex was done? Some from the early 70s can contain asbestos, it might be worth checking before work starts, although yours does look newer than that...
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Victoria, it's a 1983 house so I'm not sure what the asbestos status is, I think it's ok!? (Fingers crossed).
sarah poole
9 years ago
I think if u can get rid ov the artex im all for it personally, but i know it can b a pricey job but will b so worth it hun xx
Victoria
9 years ago
Yes you should be fine (I think).
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Sarah and Victoria,

All BOOKED for 12th Feb, plastering, downlights and paining. It will be messy in the house for a while, but I know I will be happy with the job. It's £1630 all in. I'll post up pics once complete.

Thanks for all your advice, you all told me what I needed (and wanted) to hear!
PRO
ASVInteriors
9 years ago
After photos please!
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Will definitely post pics up :)

Just a detail question, what looks nicer, White downlight housing or chrome? The interior of the house is colourful contemporary with white walls.
PRO
ASVInteriors
9 years ago
My feeling is that white is better because there is such a mixed bag of chrome vs brass vs copper these days that you want to stay neutral to accommodate eventualities.
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
That's a really good point ASV, many thanks!
Victoria
9 years ago
Definitely white.
Matthew Decorator
9 years ago
I would highly recommend plastering the ceilings. Nobody really uses artex anymore so it is pretty dated
PRO
ASVInteriors
9 years ago
Well done - so much better and I am pleased you found a good price
Congratulations!
alant1000
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks ASV.

On to my next project now - it's never ends :)

Shall I get rid of Artex?

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