Ceiling Plastering & Decorative Plasterwork Across London. Repairs, Restorations, New Installations.
From damaged ceilings to ornate Victorian cornicing — we deliver flawless overhead finishes that transform your rooms. 25 years of specialist experience, fully insured, all work guaranteed.
Period property specialists · Fully insured · Written guarantee on all ceiling work
Ceiling Plastering Services — What We Do and Who It's For
Ceiling plastering is one of the most demanding skills in the trade. Gravity works against you, imperfections are magnified by overhead lighting, and the physical demands are significant. A flawless ceiling requires a plasterer with the strength, technique, and experience to deliver a level-5 finish while working above their head.
Our ceiling services cover everything from skim-coating new plasterboard ceilings in extensions and loft conversions, to repairing cracked and sagging ceilings in period properties, to installing and restoring decorative plasterwork including coving, cornicing, ceiling roses, and panel mouldings.
You need ceiling plastering if your existing ceiling is cracked, sagging, or has visible joints from previous plasterboard installations. If you're building an extension, converting a loft, or renovating a room, the ceiling finish is often the most visible surface — and the most likely to reveal poor workmanship.
We serve homeowners, landlords, and developers across London and the Home Counties. Whether it's a single ceiling repair or a full-house ceiling renovation, we apply the same precision and care — because ceilings are the first thing you see when you lie in bed, and the last thing you want to see is a bad plastering job.
Why Ceiling Problems Get Worse — and More Expensive — Over Time
Ceiling cracks are rarely cosmetic. In older properties with lath-and-plaster ceilings, cracking usually indicates that the plaster has separated from the laths — a condition called 'blowing'. Once blown, the plaster is only held up by its own internal structure, which weakens progressively. Left unaddressed, blown plaster ceilings collapse — sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly. A ceiling collapse creates significant damage, mess, and cost.
In modern properties, ceiling cracks typically appear at plasterboard joints where the boards haven't been properly taped and filled, or where the joists above are deflecting under load. These cracks recur after each redecoration because the underlying cause — poor jointing or structural movement — hasn't been resolved.
Many homeowners apply filler to ceiling cracks repeatedly, or cover them with textured coating (Artex) to disguise the problem. These are temporary measures that add cost without addressing the cause. When the ceiling eventually needs proper repair, the filler and Artex must be removed first — adding time and expense.
Another common mistake is attempting to plaster a ceiling without adequate experience. Ceiling plastering is physically demanding and technically challenging. Plaster that's too wet slides off; plaster that's too dry won't flatten. An inexperienced plasterer will leave ridges, hollows, and trowel marks that are impossible to hide under paint.
How We Deliver Perfect Ceilings
Assessment & Diagnosis
We inspect the ceiling, identify the cause of any damage (structural movement, water damage, plaster failure), and recommend the appropriate repair method. You receive a clear quote before we start.
Preparation & Protection
Furniture is moved or covered. Dust sheets protect floors and belongings. If the existing ceiling needs removing, we strip it carefully and dispose of all debris.
Substrate Repair or Boarding
Damaged laths are repaired or replaced. New plasterboard is fixed to joists with screws at the correct centres. Joints are taped and any access points for services are maintained.
Plastering or Finishing
Ceilings are skimmed with British Gypsum finishing plaster, working in controlled sections to maintain a consistent wet edge. The surface is trowelled to a smooth, flat finish and checked with straight edges.
Decorative Work & Completion
If coving, cornicing, or ceiling roses are required, they're installed after the plaster has set. We clean up thoroughly and leave the ceiling ready for decoration.
Why Choose Judge Plastering for Ceilings
Specialist Ceiling Experience
Ceiling plastering is our strength, not an afterthought. Our team plasters ceilings daily and has the physical technique to deliver smooth results overhead.
Period Property Expertise
We repair and restore lath-and-plaster ceilings, install coving and cornicing, and match existing decorative mouldings in Victorian and Edwardian properties.
Overboarding Service
For badly damaged ceilings, we overboard with new plasterboard and skim — faster and cheaper than stripping and re-lathing, with a perfect finish.
Minimal Disruption
Ceilings are dusty work. We use dust sheets, seal doorways, and clean up daily. Most single-ceiling projects are completed in one day.
Artex Removal
We remove textured coatings (including Artex) safely, test for asbestos where required, and provide a smooth, modern finish in its place.
Written Guarantee
All ceiling plastering work comes with our written workmanship guarantee. If cracks appear due to our work, we return and fix them.
Ceiling Types, Materials & Decorative Plasterwork
Lath-and-Plaster Ceilings
Found in pre-1940s properties, lath-and-plaster ceilings consist of thin wooden strips (laths) nailed to the joists, with lime or gypsum plaster applied over them. The plaster keys through the gaps between laths to form a mechanical bond. Over time, this bond fails — the plaster separates from the laths and 'blows'. We repair lath-and-plaster ceilings by re-bonding loose sections, replacing damaged laths, or overboarding with plasterboard and skimming.
Plasterboard Ceilings
Modern ceilings use plasterboard (typically 12.5mm standard or 15mm for fire rating) fixed to timber joists or metal furring channels. We fix boards with screws at 150mm centres, stagger joints to prevent cracking, and skim the entire surface for a seamless finish. For lower ceilings in basements or under low joists, we use 9.5mm plasterboard to minimise height loss.
Coving & Cornicing
Coving is the curved profile installed at the junction of wall and ceiling. Simple plaster or polystyrene coving suits modern homes. Fibrous plaster cornicing — detailed mouldings with egg-and-dart, dentil, or acanthus leaf profiles — is used in period properties. We install both types and can source or commission bespoke profiles to match existing mouldings in older homes.
Ceiling Roses & Panel Mouldings
Ceiling roses are the decorative discs around light fittings, typically found in Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian properties. We install new ceiling roses, repair damaged ones, and source period-appropriate replacements from specialist manufacturers. Panel mouldings — decorative plaster strips applied to ceilings and walls in geometric patterns — are another speciality for period restoration.
Artex & Textured Coating Removal
Textured coatings applied before 2000 may contain asbestos (chrysotile). We arrange testing where needed and, if clear, remove the textured finish by steaming, scraping, and skimming. If asbestos is present, we arrange licensed removal before proceeding. The result is a smooth, modern ceiling finish that transforms the room.
We plaster ceilings across London, Brentford, Kingston, and the Home Counties. See also our wall plastering, lime plastering, and dry lining services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceilings That Look Flawless — From Every Angle
Get your free ceiling plastering estimate. Fast turnaround, clean work practices, and a finish you'll be proud of.