Plasterboards and skimming

1. How to find an plasterer

It is easy to waste valuable time contacting and describing your job to plasteres who are not necessarily available for or interested in your particular job. We make this process quick and easy. Simply post a job ad for free and we will contact plasterers in your area of the UK for you. You will receive tenders by email from plasterers interested in your job. You will be able to check the references provided and view feedback left by previous myworkman users.

2. What is plasterboard?

Plasterboard is a relatively low-budget building material. Plasterboard is made by sandwiching a core of wet gypsum between two sheets of heavy paper. When the core sets and is dried, the sandwich becomes rigid and strong enough for use as a building material. As of 2005, it is the most common material used globally for the construction of interior walls and ceilings.

3. Fixing the plasterboard

Plasterboard is cut to size by scoring the paper on the front side with a utility knife, breaking the sheet along the cut, scoring the paper backing, and finally breaking the sheet in the opposite direction. Small features such as holes for outlets and light switches are usually cut using a keyhole saw or a small high speed bit in a rotary tool. The plasterboard is then fixed to the wall structure with nails, or more commonly in recent years, with specially designed screws. In some cases, the plasterboard may be attached to the wall with adhesives.

4. Skimming

After the sheets are secured to the wall studs and/or ceiling joists, the seams between drywall sheets are concealed using joint tape and several layers of joint compound The compound is allowed to air dry then typically sanded smooth before painting. Alternatively, for a better finish, the entire wall may be given a skim coat (a process known as skimming), a thin layer of finishing compound, to minimize the visual differences between the paper and joint compound.

5. Tips on employing plasterers

Before employing a plasterer, we recommend reading our tips on employing tradesmen.