Walls that take paint properly start with proper skimming. Flat, smooth finishes across Short Strand — preparation done right, coats applied evenly, surfaces ready for whatever decoration you’re planning.
Posting skimming jobs online generates responses but not necessarily the right ones. Some quote low to win work then find extras, others quote high hoping you won’t check. Working directly with an established tradesman avoids the games.
Our system prioritises quality over quantity.
Short Strand has one dedicated skimming specialist. When your walls need refinishing, you contact them directly — and that’s who turns up to deliver smooth, paintable surfaces. Simple, reliable, quality-focused.
Skim coat plastering suits different purposes. Finishing new extensions differs from refreshing tired rooms, and each situation needs its own preparation approach — identifying what’s required ensures smooth, durable surfaces ready for decoration.
See if what we offer below matches the finish you’re looking for. If it does, contact us directly. If it doesn’t, no problem at all — appreciate you checking us out.
Flawless wall finishes require professional skimming from tradesmen who understand surface preparation and application technique. Rough walls, patchy repairs, and textured surfaces transform into smooth canvases ready for paint or paper. Quality materials, proper preparation, and skilled application combine to create lasting results — walls that stay flat, take decoration evenly, and look professionally finished.
Quality ceiling re-skimming eliminates dated textures and creates fresh, smooth finishes throughout your property. Swirl patterns, stipple coatings, and damaged plaster respond to professional skimming that delivers flat overhead surfaces. Experienced plasterers handle ceiling work efficiently — proper technique, consistent results, lasting quality — rooms transformed by smooth, modern ceilings.
Seamless repair skimming fixes wall damage efficiently and invisibly. Removed radiator marks, old TV mounting holes, cracked sections, and impact damage respond to professional patching that blends perfectly. Experienced plasterers prepare surfaces correctly, match textures accurately, and finish so patches disappear — walls restored without full re-skim costs.
Quality plasterboard finishing completes construction projects with smooth, decoration-ready surfaces throughout. Extensions, loft rooms, and garage conversions all need professional taping and skimming to transform raw boards into finished walls. Skilled plasterers deliver seamless results — invisible joints, consistent coverage, professional finishing — spaces ready for decorating.
Complete room skimming unifies wall and ceiling finishes for consistent results throughout your spaces. When surfaces need full attention, professional re-plastering delivers smooth coverage everywhere — same quality walls and ceilings, seamless transitions, flawless finishing. Experienced tradesmen work systematically, transforming tired rooms into fresh, decoration-ready spaces.
Good preparation makes good finishes possible. Here’s how we approach every skimming job throughout Short Strand — from first assessment to final polish.
Plastering from Castlereagh Hills to Forestside Shopping Centre and across to Castlereagh Road for years teaches you what Short Strand walls are actually made of. The Victorian terraces have lime underneath. The inter-war semis have hard pink gypsum. The estates have lightweight board. Each needs handling differently.
Old lime plaster, modern gypsum, fresh plasterboard, patched areas mixing all three — each responds differently to skim coats. Experience across Short Strand properties means recognising what we’re working on and adjusting technique accordingly.
inter-war semis and 1970s estates dominate Short Strand, usually 2.4m-2.6m to the ceiling. These property types have predictable quirks — common damp spots, typical movement cracks, characteristic construction methods. Knowing them speeds every stage from quote to finish.
Your call reaches the plasterer who’ll actually skim your walls — not an office worker reading from a script. You discuss surface conditions, room layouts, and realistic timelines with someone who’s spent years reading walls and knows what questions matter.
Discussion establishes what you’re working with — existing surface types, room sizes, any issues you’ve noticed. Based on initial information, a site visit gets scheduled to assess walls properly, identify preparation needs, and provide accurate pricing.
On-site evaluation includes systematic checking — surface soundness, absorption consistency, damp presence, repair history. The plasterer explains what preparation involves and why. Quotes based on actual conditions, not hopeful assumptions about hidden problems.
Work gets completed to standard — proper preparation stages, quality application, careful finishing technique. Dust sheets go down, cleanup follows completion. You’ll know about drying requirements, mist coat application, and when surfaces are ready for full decoration.
Skimming jobs raise predictable questions — wall preparation, completion timelines, drying requirements. Here’s the honest information you need.
Duration depends on what the walls need, not just room dimensions. Sound surfaces needing simple re-skimming complete faster than blown plaster requiring strip-back. Standard bedroom typically takes a day on good walls, longer with preparation complications. You’ll receive realistic timing after surface inspection.
Stripping isn’t always necessary — wall condition dictates preparation. Sound plaster receives skim directly over existing surfaces. Hollow sections, loose coats, or thick buildup need removing first. Assessment reveals what your walls genuinely require.
Skimming applies thin finish coats over prepared surfaces — creating smooth walls from existing plaster. Plastering includes thicker applications like base coats on bare walls, rendering, or depth building. Typical home re-finishing means skimming over what’s there, not starting from scratch.
It varies with paint condition. Thin matt emulsion over sound plaster takes skim after proper keying. Heavy coatings, gloss finishes, or silk paint cause bonding problems — usually needing stripping or adhesion treatment. Assessment reveals what preparation your walls require.
Allow 2-4 days minimum for surface drying in well-ventilated rooms, longer for complete curing. New plaster needs mist coat first — diluted matt emulsion seals the porous surface for proper paint adhesion. Rushing decoration risks peeling and blistering.
Fill out the form or call now to speak directly to the plasterer covering your area. No call centres, no delays – just clear answers and fast action.
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We operate throughout Short Strand for professional skimming. Plasterers with genuine knowledge of local homes — construction eras, wall types, surface behaviours — delivering finishes suited to these properties.
