If you’re planning to have a room plastered, you’ll want to know how long you’ll be without it. The answer depends mostly on whether the room needs a skim or a full re-plaster, and on how long the plaster then takes to dry. Here’s what to expect.
The short answer
- Skimming the walls of an average room: often a day or so.
- Skimming the ceiling too: can add up to another day.
- Re-plastering a room: usually a few days, because the old plaster comes off and there are more coats.
- Drying before you paint: about a week for a skim, several weeks for a full re-plaster.
Not sure which your room needs? Our guide to skimming vs re-plastering explains the difference.
What happens on a skimming day
- Protection. Floors, windows and anything left in the room are covered.
- Preparation. Loose bits are scraped off, cracks are taped and the walls are primed so the plaster bonds and doesn’t dry too quickly.
- Beads. Corners that are damaged or need straightening get new metal beads.
- Two coats. Two thin coats of finishing plaster go on, then the surface is trowelled smooth as it firms up.
- Clean-up. Everything is cleared away, and you’re told how long to leave it before decorating.
What takes longer
- Re-plastering. Hacking off old plaster, then a backing coat that has to firm up before the finish goes on.
- Ceilings. Working overhead is slower, and old or damaged ceilings may need boarding first.
- Preparation. Stripping wallpaper, removing old fixings and repairing damaged areas all add time.
- Size and height. Big rooms, stairwells and high ceilings need more plaster, more time and sometimes scaffolding.
- Cold, damp weather. Plaster sets and dries more slowly in winter.
How to get the room ready
- Empty the room if you can, or move furniture to the middle so the walls are clear.
- Take down pictures, mirrors, curtains, blinds and shelves.
- Strip wallpaper beforehand if you’ve agreed to do it yourself.
- Make sure there’s clear access, and somewhere to get water.
We’ll tell you exactly what needs doing when we come to quote.
After the plasterer leaves
New plaster needs to dry slowly and evenly. Keep the room warm and ventilated, but don’t point heaters at the walls. Our guide on how long plaster takes to dry explains how to tell when it’s ready and how to mist coat it.
Need a room plastered?
Four Four Finishes skims and re-plasters rooms in homes across Poole, Bournemouth and the rest of Dorset. We’ll look at the walls, tell you honestly what they need and give you a realistic timescale with your free quote.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to skim a room?
The walls of an average room are often skimmed in a day or so, and a ceiling can add up to another day. Bigger rooms, lots of preparation or high ceilings take longer.
How long does it take to re-plaster a room?
Longer than a skim, because the old plaster has to come off and a backing coat goes on before the finish. It usually takes a few days rather than one, depending on the size of the room and the state of the walls.
How long after plastering can I paint?
A skim in a warm, ventilated room is usually ready in about a week. A full re-plaster holds much more water and can take several weeks. The plaster is ready when it has turned an even light pink all over.
Can I stay at home while a room is plastered?
Usually, yes. The work is kept to the room being plastered, floors and furniture are covered, and the area is cleared up at the end of the job.
Do I need to empty the room before the plasterer arrives?
Ideally, yes, or move everything to the middle so the walls are clear. Take down pictures, curtains and shelves. We’ll tell you exactly what to do when we quote.