Plastering is the satisfying point in a build where brick, block or board walls and ceilings take shape into a finished room.
At FB Finishes, based in Devizes, Wiltshire, we carry out wall and ceiling plastering across the region working on new builds, renovations and period properties. Our high standards are renowned in the area and you can count on a smooth finish whether its one wall being skimmed or a whole building being replastered from bare substrate.
A good plaster finish comes down to proper preparation, the right materials for the substrate, and a skilled hand with a trowel. After 20 years in the trade, that’s exactly what we bring to every job.
We work across the full range of plastering systems.
On new blockwork or masonry we typically apply a base coat of bonding or browning plaster to build up an even key, followed by a finish coat – usually multi-finish plaster – trowelled to a smooth, paint-ready surface.
On plasterboard, we skim directly with a thin finish coat, or handle full drylining installation, including plasterboard jointing, angle beads and corner beads to protect edges and keep lines crisp.
Where a wall has been previously artexed or is in poor condition, we assess whether it needs skimming over, or replastering back to a sound substrate.
We also carry out plaster repair work, patching cracks, replacing damaged sections, and fixing areas affected by damp or old age, matching new plaster seamlessly into the existing surface.
Covering Devizes, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Calne and the wider Wiltshire, Hampshire and Berkshire area, we take on projects of every scale, from a single ceiling to a full commercial fit-out.
Every plastering job starts with proper substrate preparation. We check porosity, apply PVA bonding agent where suction control is needed, and use expanded metal lath (EML) to provide a mechanical key on surfaces that won’t otherwise hold plaster, such as timber, uneven masonry or where two different materials meet.
Getting suction right matters: too porous a substrate and the plaster dries and cracks before it’s properly set; not enough key and it simply won’t bond.
For traditional multi-coat systems, we apply a scratch or key coat first, building up with a float coat to bring the wall true and flat, before finishing with a skim coat around 2-3mm thick, worked with a trowel and hawk to a smooth, closed finish. Timing is everything here: working within the plaster’s open time and setting time, and polishing (or ‘closing in’) at exactly the right point in the drying process to avoid a patchy or overworked surface.
We also carry out lime plaster work and lime plaster restoration on period and listed properties, where breathability and moisture control matter more than with modern gypsum systems, and where matching traditional materials is essential to how the building performs.
For external walls, we apply sand and cement render, mixed to an appropriate ratio for the substrate and exposure, giving a durable, weatherproof finish that can be left textured or prepared for paint.
Across every system, we work to recognised standards including BS 8481 and BS EN 13914, managing thickness, mix consistency and drying conditions to guard against shrinkage cracking and to give a finish that performs as well as it looks, whatever paint or decorative finish goes over it.
Plastering rewards experience. Our team knows how trowel angle, float technique and timing affect the finished surface, and we bring the same care to a small ceiling repair as we do to plastering an entire new-build development.
We work by hand and by machine depending on the job, using mixing drills for consistent workability and larger equipment where a big commercial area calls for it, always with proper dust control and PPE in place.
Whether you need wall skimming, ceiling plastering, full drylining, exterior rendering or careful repair and restoration work, we match the system and materials to your substrate and your finish. We plaster over artex, matched patch repairs, or undertake a complete replaster of an old property to bring it up to a modern, smooth standard ready for decoration.
We offer clear, itemised quotes covering labour and materials up front, so there are no surprises once work begins, giving you an affordable plastering service without any compromise on quality.
Based in Devizes, we’ve built our reputation over 20 years working across Wiltshire, Hampshire and Berkshire, on residential and commercial projects of every size. Clients come back to us time and again because we deliver a professional plaster finish, on time and on budget, with no shortcuts on preparation or materials.
Get in touch for a clear, no-obligation quote covering labour and materials, and let’s get your walls and ceilings finished properly.
At FB Finishes, we’ll take on your project whether that’s a single room retrofit, new build flooring or whole house renovation. Our proven track record, and dedication to craftsmanship will bring your vision to life. Based near Devizes, we cover the surrounding towns like Trowbridge, Chippenham, Melksham, Calne and everywhere in between. Take a look at our project portfolio to appreciate the standard of our workmanship and visit Checkatrade to see what our customers say about us.
If you need perfectly executed screeding, rendering, plastering, dry lining or underfloor heating contact our expert team today for a detailed quote. Call us on 01380 698 856, email us on info@fbfinishes.com or head to our contact us page to request a no obligation quote. We always try to respond to your message ASAP.
