Artex ceilings and walls are a staple of many British homes, but they are starting to feel outdated, and can really get in the way of people decorating. It can be an eyesore for some, but it can also be quite difficult to remove.

A lot of artex ceilings have asbestos fibres in, which means that trying to remove artex without asbestos experts can be very dangerous. Hiring an asbestos removal team, however, can be very costly. So many people are left wondering what they can do about the textured coating that sits on their walls or ceilings. If you can't remove artex, what can you do?

You can plaster over artex ceilings and walls, creating a smooth surface. However, that's only when the textured coating either does not contain asbestos or, if it contains asbestos, if it's not damaged in any way. Plastering, however, can be costly, especially if you hire someone to do it for you. Especially when most homes that have an artex ceiling have multiple, meaning there's a lot of textured coatings to cover. So if you can't, or don't want to plaster over artex, is there anything you can do?

Plasterboard over the artex ceiling or artex walls for a smooth finish

If you do not wish to plaster, one option suggested by Top Notch Walls is to cover the artex surface with plasterboard. This does take a bit of the space off of the room, whether you do it on the walls or the ceiling. You also have to make sure, if applying to the ceiling, that you make holes for the light fittings as the plasterboard will cover the whole ceiling. It does take more skill than some of the other options, but it also provides arguably the smoothest finish!

You will need:

• Electronic stud finder
• Tape measure and spirit level
• Chalk, marker pen, pencil
• Knife with replaceable blades
• Step ladder
• Plasterboard rasp
• Plasterboard lifter
• Step ladder
• Electric screwdriver
• Scissors
• Bucket
• Taping knife
• Filling knife
• Internal corner trowel
• Masking tape
• 50mm x 50mm sawn timber battens
• 12 x 100mm countersunk wood screws
• 12.5mm plasterboard
• 38mm plasterboard screws
• jointing compound
• 120 grit sandpaper
• paper-faced metal angle bead

You should:

1. Switch off power and remove light fixtures
2. Locate joists and mark each joist with a chalk line
3. Add noggins
4. Measure the ceiling
5. Cut the plasterboard
6. Fix the plasterboard using plasterboard screws and starting in one corner of the room
7. Tape the ceiling/wall
8. Apply joint compound to the artex ceiling or wall
9. Lightly sand the artex ceiling or wall
10. Decorate as you see fit

Steam the artex ceiling or wall for a smooth surface

This method is not suitable for artex ceilings with asbestos, or artex walls with asbestos. However, it does make scraping much easier, and is cheaper than plastering or using plasterboard. There is a chance that it may damage the ceiling or wall though, so it should be done carefully.

You will need:

• Wallpaper steamer
• Utility knife or stripping knife
• Joint compound
• Bucket
• Taping knife
• 220-grit sanding block
• Cloths
• Safety gear

You should:

Once you have gathered all the tools, you can begin. You will need to:

1. Put on your safety goggles, gloves and mask.
2. Warm up your steamer and press its plate on the artex ceilings or walls. You should test the artex's softness every few seconds.
3. Test the softness using a utility knife or joint knife.
4. Use a utility knife to chip away at the texture. You are essentially removing artex to provide a smoother finish.
5. Mix joint compound as per instructions and skim the compound onto the surface. You may need a plastering pan to help with this.
6. Leave to dry fully
7. Repeat for the whole ceiling

Scrape and sand the artex ceiling and walls for a smooth finish

This method is only safe to do on an artex ceiling or wall that you have confirmed does not contain asbestos fibres. If there is any white asbestos or signs of it, you should not continue with this technique.

Scraping and sanding your artex ceiling or wall allows you to cover it with paint or wallpaper afterward. It is a cost effective task that provides a relatively smooth finish. However, it is a messy and slow process, and it can be quite arduous if the artex ceiling or wall has been painted.

You will need:

• Utility knife or stripping knife
• Joint compound
• Bucket
• Taping knife
• 220-grit sanding block
• Cloths
• Safety gear

You should:

1. Put on your safety goggles, mask and gloves
2. Use a utility knife to chip away at the texture. You are essentially removing artex to provide a smoother finish.
3. Mix joint compound as per instructions and skim the compound onto the surface. You may need a plastering pan to help with this.
4. Leave to dry fully
5. Sand the surface until it is smooth
6. Use a damp cloth to wipe the surface clean

What are the other options?

Alternatively, you can hire someone to plaster over the textured paint, or you can pay someone to come and remove the surface all together. These are both costly, however, and you will likely find that both processes will take a long time.

If you're not bothered about money, then it is definitely worth getting the artex removed. There is a high risk that it contains asbestos, and it is a very difficult substance to work with.

Can I just leave the artex ceiling?

If the artex is not bothering you, then there's no harm in leaving it. However, a lot of people find that it is unappealing to look at and often find that it gets in the way of their decorating. It can also be detrimental to the sale value of your property if you decide to sell your home.