Walls that take paint properly start with proper skimming. Flat, smooth finishes across Exeter — preparation done right, coats applied evenly, surfaces ready for whatever decoration you’re planning.
Skimming is skilled work that deserves a skilled tradesman, not the cheapest bidder from a platform race to the bottom. When quality matters more than saving twenty quid, direct contact with a proven plasterer makes sense.
Quality plastering needs a different approach.
We assign one experienced skimming specialist to Exeter. Contact goes directly to them when your walls need attention — no call centres filtering requests, just professional response from the tradesman who’ll do the work.
Professional skimming handles various wall states. Patchy repairs need blending, full rooms need consistent coverage, and ceilings need careful technique to avoid visible joins — experienced assessment determines the right approach for lasting results.
Have a look at the service breakdown below. If it suits what your walls need, get in touch and we’ll sort it. If not, no problem — good luck finding the right help.
Our Skimming Services in Exeter
Wall skimming services cover everything from single feature walls to complete room transformations. Damaged plaster, rough textures, and uneven surfaces all respond to professional re-skimming that creates smooth, consistent finishes. Experienced plasterers match existing textures where needed, blend repairs invisibly, and deliver walls that make decorating straightforward and results impressive.
Ceiling skimming creates smooth, flat overhead surfaces that transform how rooms look and feel. Textured ceilings, Artex patterns, and damaged plaster disappear beneath professional skim coats applied by experienced plasterers. Working overhead requires specific technique — consistent coverage, proper drying between coats, and seamless finishing — delivering ceilings that reflect light evenly and make rooms feel fresh and modern.
Blending plaster repairs requires professional technique that makes patches invisible on finished walls. Damage from various causes — impacts, removed fittings, cables, cracks — gets properly prepared and skim coated to match existing surfaces. Careful feathering and texture matching ensure seamless results ready for any decorative treatment.
Professional plasterboard finishing transforms raw boards into smooth, paintable surfaces ready for decoration. New extensions, garage conversions, and loft rooms all need expert taping, jointing, and skimming to create seamless walls. Skilled plasterers work systematically — proper joint preparation, consistent skim application, quality finishing — delivering new-build quality throughout.
Complete room re-skimming delivers total transformation when walls and ceilings all need attention. Full coverage ensures consistent finishes throughout — no texture variations, no visible joins between old and new work. Experienced plasterers work systematically through each room, creating smooth surfaces that unify spaces and make decorating effortless.
Most skimming complaints come six months later when cracks appear. Here’s how we prevent that across Exeter properties.
Plastering from Exeter Cathedral through Exeter Quayside to Royal Albert Memorial Museum builds understanding of what Exeter walls actually contain. Old lime that’s gone powdery, hard gypsum that’s cracked with movement, board that’s absorbed moisture — recognising conditions fast comes from local repetition.
Re-skimming old walls, smoothing over textured ceilings, finishing new extension boards, blending repairs into existing surfaces — different starting points need different approaches. We assess properly before mixing any plaster, ensuring preparation matches what Exeter walls actually need.
Properties throughout Exeter are predominantly Victorian terraced and Post-war rebuilding, ceilings 2.5m to 2.8m (8.2ft – 9.2ft). Concentrated experience on this housing stock builds deep understanding — not textbook knowledge, but hands-on familiarity with how these specific walls behave.
Calls and forms go straight to your area’s tradesman — no filtering through people who’ve never held a trowel. You get honest conversation about wall types, preparation needs, and what quality skimming actually requires.
Calls and forms go straight to your area’s tradesman — no filtering through people who’ve never held a trowel. You get honest conversation about wall types, preparation needs, and what quality skimming actually requires.
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.
Skimming proceeds professionally — surfaces prepared correctly, plaster mixed fresh, coats applied evenly, finishing done at the right moment. Protection goes down throughout, cleanup happens after. Clear guidance covers drying periods, mist coat timing, and decoration readiness.
Skimming questions follow patterns — surface prep, job length, drying periods. Here’s the honest answers without the waffle.
How long does skimming a room take?
Timing depends on room size, surface condition, and preparation needs. A standard bedroom with sound walls typically takes one day — preparation morning, first coat midday, second coat afternoon. Rooms needing extensive prep work or multiple problem areas take longer. Ceilings add time. You’ll get accurate duration estimates after wall assessment.
Do my walls need stripping back before skimming?
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.
What’s the difference between plastering and skimming?
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.
Can you skim over painted walls?
Sometimes — it depends on paint type and surface preparation. Matt emulsion over sound plaster can receive skim after proper keying with coarse sandpaper or bonding agent. Gloss, silk, or multiple thick paint coats create adhesion problems — stripping or heavy preparation often necessary. Assessment determines what approach your painted walls need.
How long before I can paint after skimming?
Drying varies with conditions — ventilation, temperature, coat thickness. Surface typically dries enough in 2-4 days for mist coating, though full cure takes weeks. Diluted matt emulsion first seals the surface properly. Early decoration causes paint problems.
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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Professional skimming operates throughout Exeter. Local knowledge of housing types, construction methods, and wall characteristics that determine preparation needs and finishing approaches.
Alphington, Beacon Heath, Belmont, Burnthouse Lane, Centenary, City Centre, Clyst Heath, Countess Wear, Duryard, Exminster, Exwick, Gandy Street, Heavitree, Hill Barton, Hoopern, Marsh Barton, Monkerton, Mount Pleasant, Newtown, Pennsylvania, Pinhoe, Polsloe, Redhills, St David’s, St James, St Leonard’s, St Loyes, St Thomas, Stoke Hill, Topsham, West Quarter, Whipton, Wonford
EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX6
Not after skimming? Check out the other plastering services in your area.
