Different types of plaster will dry at different rates. As a typical example, we'll take browning plaster. This type can set within a couple of hours. However, professional plasterers recommend that you always leave it for longer before you attempt to paint it. This is because the topcoat of the plaster will take up to two or three days to dry, while the undercoats can take up to a week.

Lime plaster is a type of material made by combining lime with sand and water. It is the most traditional type of plaster that has been used for thousands of years, with evidence of it being used in the chambers of the Great Pyramids. Some of the benefits of this type of plaster include its strength and flexibility. The high pH levels in the lime also make it a natural fungicide, so you will never find mould in lime plaster. However, hydraulic lime can become toxic when wet.

Skimming is a plastering method whereby you apply a thin layer of plaster onto a rough wall to smooth it over. Skimming can be a tricky job, especially if you are trying to skim an already plastered surface. Therefore it is always recommended that you arrange for a professional painter and decorator, such as ourselves, to do it.

While the finished result of professional quality plastering can leave you with perfectly smooth walls, you can't make omelettes without breaking a few eggs. Mess is one of the most common aspects of plastering, but our professional services will always ensure that we clean up after the job is done.

The short answer is no. If you want to plaster a wall, you will need to remove any wallpaper from it before the professional painter and decorator arrives. Naturally, the decorator you hire can strip your wallpaper for you, but this will cost extra. Plaster needs to stick to your walls, and having paper in the way will prevent this.