Renew ceiling or save the cornice?

[ripperuk]

hello,

i need some advice about pulling down an old victorian ceiling. The ceiling is in a fairly poor condition with the old plaster showing big cracks and some has even pulled away from the laths, but i'm being torn between deciding whether i should i try to repair the ceiling and save the wooden cornice (also in poor condition) or shall i just get rid of the whole lot and replaster?

Below I attach some photos for you guys to help me decide.

thanks


[CLICK TO ENLARGE!]

 

[NickStone]

Can't help you decide what to do, ripper, but if you do decide that it's going to be more cost-effective to take the old ceiling down, here's a link to a company who makes rather nice ceiling cornicing. The old stuff does look pretty ropey: http://www.ukhomeinteriors.co.uk/content/cornices.shtml

 

[Richard C]

Rip it down & start again, it looks well past repairing! As Nick suggests, track down your local plaster moulding specialist; most stock some very nice plaster reproduction cornice & ceiling mouldings & may even have a copy of the one already up there.

 

[ripperuk]

nick and richard, thanks for your advice. That company you've shown me, isn't it a bit dear? How does the pricing work?

 

[Richard C]

nick and richard, thanks for your advice. That company you've shown me, isn't it a bit dear? How does the pricing work?

Hmm prices do look a bit wallet draining at first glance. Not plaster but doesn’t seem to say exactly what it's made of. If it’s polystyrene, I wouldn’t touch it; as I said try checking out your local plaster specialist (look in yellow pages) for a comparison.

 

[IJWS15]

The existing cornice will be plaster.

If you are game for an adventure you could always trace the profile of the existing cornice, make a "horse" and reproduce it in lime plaster in the same way as the original after the ceiling is re-done.

Have done a couple of rooms (a weekend a room) - very satisfying job.

Best part is seeing the faces of visitors when they look at it and ask where you got it from!

 

[NickStone]

nick and richard, thanks for your advice. That company you've shown me, isn't it a bit dear? How does the pricing work?

They're made of polymer, not polystyrene (sound of mock-vomiting noises ) and I think they're expensive because they're easier to handle - so suitable for diy. If you're unsure, they will send samples: http://www.ukhomeinteriors.co.uk/content/faqs.php

Haven't used them myself, though.