Frequently Asked Questions
Do you deliver?
I am able to deliver any length up to 2.7m long, otherwise collection is required. If the delivery location lies within reasonable range of my frequently travelled areas, I can offer free delivery as and when available. Booked deliveries, and deliveries outside of this area, are chargeable.
Accounting for wastage?
With coving, panels, and dado rails, we usually suggest to trim 2 inches from either end of a cornice to ensure proper alignment of joints. For a number of reasons (predominantly down to their age), the ends of moulds are prone to curling and/or chipping with use. Furthermore, hessian scrim is typically folded over at the ends of lengths to help mitigate hairline cracks during storage and transport, and as such tend to be a good deal thicker. As a general rule of thumb, we would recommend accounting for an additional 15% in wastage for plain cornices, but this value is liable to increase with more corners in a room. Wastage for pattern cornices vary significantly, depending on the size of the "pattern match".
What materials do you use?
For general casting, I vary between Fine Casting Plus and Prestia/Siniat Classic (two of the best general casting plasters available on the British market, each with their own best use cases), hessian scrim & timber laths for coving, and sisal (a fine and resilient fibre from a type of agave plant) for panels and ceiling roses.
What fixing materials should I use?
All personal preference. For the fitters I regularly work with, I stock the Siniat CA120 Cove Adhesive - a reasonable middle ground between quality adhesive, long setting time and reasonable price. My adhesive stock is usually specially reserved for the fitters, but don't be afraid to ask if you'd like to try a bag! Screwing is essential for ceiling roses, the more the better, and if you can hit a joist, perfect. Screwing is advised if you are not adhering your plaster goods to fresh plaster, required if you do not score the walls to expose the plaster substrate beneath the paint. If you would rather still not take the risk, please contact us, and we can arrange for one of our fitters to do the work for you!
Do you keep a running stock?
No. All goods are manufactured on order. Payment in full is required for orders < £1,000. Payment in instalments can be arranged otherwise. Changes to requirements once payment is made are liable to further charges.
Can I paint my cove?
Yes! It's just plaster at the end of the day, so paint it as you would when painting your walls and ceilings.
Do I need to do anything else once I've fit my cove?
Do not turn your heating on in the room just fit to for at least 24 hours. It can disrupt the curing process of the adhesive compounds used. Do not paint your cove as soon as you fit it. This can lock in any residual moisture within the adhesive and cove, and cause the paint to start flaking (or worse, cause the adhesive to fail - water is plaster's worst enemy!). Give it sufficient time to dry out and breathe.