Installing plaster coving in your home is an investment; once correctly installed, it serves as a permanent architectural detail and should be approached with the same thought and care as freshly plastered walls or new flooring. Plaster coving and ceiling roses are designed to last for decades; installation requires meticulous attention to detail and precision to ensure their longevity. We strongly recommend hiring a professional for the best results.
Many people think that a general plasterer or builder can fit plaster coving, some can but they will not be as fast as an experienced plaster professional who does nothing else. They will also often charge you more money as they price for it taking a longer time to complete the job.
We have lost count of the number of times we have had to go and sort jobs out for customers where our coving has been fitted incorrectly by inexperienced builders.
Coving Installation FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
1. Can my builder or plasterer install plaster cornice?
Potentially, the best way to find out is ask! installing plaster coving and ceiling roses requires skill and precision. Most tradesmen and plaster specialists will definitely have the foundational skills required for a proper installation but it's always best to ask as the job can be complex with no experience. Our fitting guides will be a good insight for your builder who may be unsure.
2. Why should I use a specialist cornice installer?
We would always recommend using a professional coving fitter for installation. We believe that this will not only save you time and money, but a professional can easily rectify common issues, making the installation stage seamless with a high-end finish. For example, your walls and ceiling may be uneven, which requires skill and experience to solve. An experienced fitter is also less likely to waste materials when cutting internal/external corners.
3. Is it more expensive to hire a professional installer?
Yes! Hiring a coving specialist for installation is more expensive than DIY, but definitely worth it for a better finish with handmade gypsum plaster that lasts considerably longer than lightweight polystyrene alternatives.
4. What happens if plaster coving is fitted incorrectly?
Incorrectly fitted coving is purely a waste of time, money and materials. The time and effort required to remove poorly installed coving would be far from ideal. Coving and ceiling roses are details designed to last decades; we advise investing in proper installation for longevity and best results. The pictures below show our coving LPC019 incorrectly installed (upside down). It was a tough job for one of our recommended fitters to correct this job.
5. How long does it take to install plaster cornice?
That would be a question for the fitter, depending on if they work alone or within a team. For an average-sized room, 12-16 meters, you could expect a full day for both install and finish.
6. Do you supply the coving as well as install it?
No! We only supply the materials and tools required for proper installation. However, we do have a vast community of reliable and skilled fitters who we can easily put you in touch with. Get in touch with your postcode to find your local plaster specialist.
A recent installation of our LPC027 in South London installed by our recommended fitter CM Cornice.
7. What types of properties are your products designed for?
All properties! Our plaster coving styles are designed to work in all kinds of properties, both old and new. For example, with its universal silhouette, our Swan Neck Coving can be installed in any home: from new build's to a typical Victorian terraces, no matter how uneven your walls and ceiling may be.
8. Do you offer a service to match existing coving?
No! All of our available styles and sizes are listed on our website. If we did not provide the original cornice in your home, it is highly unlikely we will be able to provide a true match.