Types of Old Ceiling

The main type of old ceiling we plaster over is a 'lath and plaster ceiling' constructed of timber lathes and lime plaster.

It is the nature of lath and plaster ceilings to hairline crack due to movement. More serious defects sometimes develop e.g bulging and delamination of plaster from the lathes.

Lath and plaster ceilings are often covered with coatings e.g Artex or lining paper. These decorative finishes were often used to cover ceilings in poor condition.

Other types of old ceilings include wood fibre boards with a lime plaster finish and asbestos sheet cement.

Plastering over Old Lath and Plaster Ceilings

We would always advise plaster boarding over lath and plaster ceilings before plastering. Preparing and plastering over the existing is not recommended as the added weight of the new plaster and movement in the existing ceiling can result in defects.

Some lath and plaster ceilings have a decorative cornice around the perimeter which can present a problem due to the thickness of the plasterboard when over boarding, this issue can be overcome by creating a 'shadow gap' detail to the cornice or by embedding a strong glass fibre mesh within the plaster. Some lath and plaster ceilings can be renewed leaving the existing cornice in situ. 

Where lath and plaster ceilings are in really poor condition there may be no option other than to remove the ceiling completely and replace with plasterboard or to install a metal frame suspended ceiling below the existing.

How can Ceilings Bristol help?

We have the experience to quickly report on condition of old ceilings and recommend lasting plastering solutions and high quality work at competitive prices.