Trimming to an Artex wall

[marcus]

Hi,

Would appreciate some advice please. I am going to be fitting a couple of oak bookcases inset into alcoves which look like this:

I'm wondering about the neatest way to fit the (solid oak) side trim to the texture of the wall. Would it look best to scribe them round the plaster ridges, or to remove the plaster ridges in the area where they are crossed by the trim? Or is there another option? The bookcases are expensive and the details have to be spot on.

Cheers

Marcus

 

[MikeG.]

Marcus,

not sure of the answer, but I have just a word of caution for you. Artex contained asbestos for a number of years, so any work involving the removal of Artex should be treated as hazardous.....particularly with older applications.

I always advise re-skimming over the top of the Artex (PVA first), and everyone always ignores me!

Mike

 

[Shultzy]

I would either trim the ridges off or, in view of the previous post, skim to flat. If you skim you can take out any imperfections, which means you don't have to do any scribing to the wood.

If you decide to skim, here's a tip. Screw a straight 2x1 batten, covered in cling film, to the wall and adjust to make it plumb. Fill the gap 1/4" from each side. When dry remove batten and fill flush to the two edges. This gives a smooth finish that's plumb.

 

[krismusic]

Shutzy's idea is pretty smart but I would scribe a batten and set it back from the face of the unit.

 

[Digit]

Having had cause in the past to curse builders I would first of all check to see if a close fit at the front will fit at the rear. Unless the alcove is completely square back to front and vertical you may not be able to fit anything close enough to the Artex to have to worry about leaving it in place etc.
If you can get a close fit how about using a sealer between the Artex and the woodwork?

Roy.

 

[hpl]

I think you should follow Mikes advise and get the artex skimmed over, it would improve the look no end

 

[krismusic]

I was assuming that you had to keep the Artex. If not, definitely get rid.

 

[marcus]

Thanks for all these replies. I had no idea artex might contain aspestos!

I'm going to take Shultzy's advice and skim with a batten where the trim meets the wall - nice tip - thanks!

Re. Roy's point, the space is a fair way out of square, so I'm making the units 2" too small all round and and bridging the gap with trim scribed to the wall. I know that I'll have my heart in my mouth when I first ease them in in case they don't fit - always do, no matter how carefully I measure up!

Cheers

Marcus.

 

[Digit]

I'll guess that we all know that problem Marcus. Can you perhaps arrange for face panels to be fitted and trimmed on site?

Roy.

 

[Tusses]

leave a gap !

batton to the wall and fix the face frame to the battons. . leave the face frame away from the wall slightly, but only enough (1/2 " or so) to cast a shadow on and hide the batton behind.

 

[brianhabby]

Removing Artex is simple and safe, even the old stuff containing asbestos - if you know how.

Artex remains water soluble throughout its life, so a good wetting (hot water works best) will soften it sufficient for it to be gently scraped off with a good paint scraper.

BTW. Artex has not had asbestos in it for about thirty years

Hope this is of some use.

regards

Brian

 

[Derek Willis.]

Marcus,
Rempve the artex, a wallpaper steamer will make it easy.
Derek.

 

[marcus]

Lots of good suggestions here - thank you all. I will probably strip the artex off, but I have a while to decide so will think it over....

Cheers Marcus