Painting Over Artex: What to Know First

Textured ceilings were popular from the 1970s into the 1990s. Many Suffolk homes still have them. The pattern can look dated, but painting it is perfectly possible.

First, though, one important point.

The asbestos question

Some older textured coatings contained a small amount of white asbestos. It was used in products sold before the late 1980s, and in the UK the phase-out was complete by 1999.

If your home was built or decorated before about 2000, treat the coating with caution. Do not sand, scrape or drill into it until you know what it is. Disturbing it can release fibres.

A sample can be tested by an accredited laboratory. If it does contain asbestos, leave it undisturbed and painted, or have it dealt with by a licensed professional. Painting over intact material is generally a low-risk option, but follow current guidance for your situation.

If it is safe to paint

Clean it. Brush off dust and cobwebs, then wipe or vacuum gently. Don’t scrub.

Seal flaking areas. Loose paint can be scraped carefully with a dust-minimising method. Then apply a stabilising primer.

Apply matt emulsion. Matt hides texture shadows better than sheen. Use a long-pile roller that gets into the peaks and valleys.

Use a brush for edges. Cut in around walls first.

Expect to use more paint than on a flat ceiling, because the surface area is greater.

What to expect from the result

Painting makes Artex cleaner and brighter. It does not make it flat. The pattern remains and can catch dust again.

Your options if you want it gone

1. Skim over it. A plasterer applies a bonding coat and then skims the ceiling flat. This avoids scraping and is often the safest and neatest route. It is a job for our plastering and repair team.
2. Remove it. Only after testing. Stripping is messy, and can damage the plaster beneath.
3. Cover it. Lining paper or plasterboard over the top.
4. Leave it and repaint. Sensible if it is sound and the look doesn’t bother you.

Stains and damp

Water stains on Artex are harder to patch than on a flat ceiling. See fixing water-stained ceilings for the sealing method.

Painting tips

Use a good ceiling paint, check coverage in raking light and keep a wet edge. For choices on products, read how many coats of paint you need.

Getting the right advice

If you aren’t sure what is on your ceiling, find out before anyone picks up a scraper. We are happy to look at it and talk through the safe options as part of our interior decorating work. Contact us for a quote.