coving

[JohnnyF]

Hi,

I've taken down a lath and plaster ceiling and in the process we've lost a 2 metre length of coving.

We are going to plasterboard the ceiling and would like to keep the coving . The builder suggested it might be easier (and cheaper) to hack the remaining coving off and put some new coving on. We've had a look around and there are some victorian styles that will suit priced between £11 to £40 for a 3 metre length.

Would it make more sense to hack the original coving off and replace it after the boarding? Would I be right in thinking that getting some exact coving cut to match the exisitng stuff might be more expensive (and a hassle).

Fitting new coving - is this done after the plasterboarding or after the skimming? And is it quite a straight forward job for a competant plasterer or can it be quite awkward with the mitres etc? I guess I'm just wondering if it would add alot to the cost of just plasterboarding and skimming.

Cheers for any advice.

 

[Ratter]

I believe a lot of Victorian coving was formed in place by the plasterer - labour was cheap in those days - so getting a match might be tricky.

Putting up the standard curved 4" or 5" coving is a reasonable DIY job but larger sizes are heavier and more awkward - but I would have thought most plasterers would be able to oblige. Mitres can be tricky, you need a template - B & Q and the like have yellow plastic ones which will do but are a bit too flexible, specialist shops would have better but more expensive ones.

I would have thought skim first then cove because otherwise you will lose some of your cove edge profile.

I expect one of the pros will be along later and can give you a professional perspective.

 

[crazyk69]

hi

it would depend on the coving, if it is original coving then it would be expensive to replace, you would be better off replacing it with new coving. it could be fitted reasonably quickly. depends if you really want to keep the original and how much your budget is. personally i skim b4 hand then put the coving up.

 

[JohnnyF]

We've been to a few plastering places around Sheffield (aristocrat, troika, abbey mouldings) and had a look at their cornices and they look really good. Plus you'll be able to see the detail rather than the original coving which is covered in layers of paint.

At about £20 for a 3m length it seems like the matrerial is fairly cheap. I'll have to find out if it is expensive froma labour point of view. I would have a crack at it myself but looking at how I cut mitres on skirting i reckon I would make a real hash of it!

Plus their ceiling roses seem alot cheaper than lesser quality stuff from the big DIY chains.

Got a plasterer round tonight so I'll ask him his view.

Cheers for the advice

 

[Diyisfun]

Years ago I lost some of my original coving, this old boy been plastering for about 90 years, said 'no problem'. He came round mixed plaster of paris & built up the missing section using a template he knocked up. What skill.
When I moved into the house I am at now, I replaced a very very short section using plaster of paris. I was well pleased with myself.
So it is a diy job but you need the template.