A plaster job is by far the most important one when it comes to the finishing strokes given to a building. Apart from appearance and durability, the quality of work delivered can be gauged only by the skill involved in attending to the details and ensuring a smooth finish.
What does plastering and skimming entail?
Leading London decorators insist on evenly finished, smooth walls to begin their interior decorations. The process of plastering and skimming removes the crude, uneven layer from your walls to leave behind a level and smooth surface for you to paint and decorate.
Apart from the aesthetic point of view, plastering also helps even out cracks and covers them neatly after repairs and treatment. Plastering and skimming is a two part process that enhances the appearance of a building and also preserves the walls.
Need and benefits of plastering
Plastering needs for a building depends on the materials used for construction. Accordingly, there are various types of plasters available to suit different walls.
For instance, walls with rough masonry, porous rocks and clay tiles need two coats of plaster. Cement plaster is ideal for walls with masonry work. Other common types of plaster include lime plaster and gypsum plaster.
A few main benefits of plastering include:
- • Wear resistance for walls.
- • Fire resistance for buildings.
- • Increased aesthetic appeal.
Need and benefits of skimming
Skimming is pretty much a plastering technique. This process is undertaken once the plastering is completed to even out rough surfaces. Its thickness varies according to your needs or your London decorator’s preference.
If you are renovating an older building, you probably just need to skim your wall, while plastering and skimming are a must for newly constructed buildings. The chief benefits of skimming are:
- • Increases durability of the wall.
- • Makes the surface more attractive.
- • Prepares your wall for painting and redecoration.
Why hire a professional?
Plastering and skimming a wall is a skill. It requires training and practice to master. Even equipped with the best materials and tools, a do it yourself guide cannot help you get this intricate process right. A professional puts in a good amount of survey and prepping before he begins plastering and skimming.
While attempting it on your own, most of us cannot gauge the amount of prepping your wall needs before you can start work on it. There’s also no sure way to know if you are leveling the surface precisely till you finish the two coats and step back to survey the end result.
For new buildings, plastering the walls accurately can help retain their texture for years ahead. A well plastered wall may not require further plastering during minor repairs and redecoration. Further, most London decorators request an even skim coat before starting work on their wall decorations.
There are many similarities and differences between plastering and skimming, most of which only a professional can understand. Since these services are an important part of decorating your home, its always best to leave it to the experts.