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London — Tier-1 Pillar

London Replastering — Lime vs Gypsum, Period Walls, Cornice Restoration

London replastering reality. Lime plaster on period solid-wall Victorian / Georgian / Edwardian properties, gypsum on modern studwork, cornice restoration, lath-and-plaster repair, conservation-area / listed requirements, breathability. £30-£70 per sq m.

~2 min read·Updated 2026-04-23

Replastering a London wall is a different job on a 1880 Victorian solid-brick terrace than on a 2005 timber-frame new-build. On solid-brick walls with lime mortar, the correct specification is lime plaster — cow-hair or hemp-fibre reinforced, on riven or sawn timber lath where the original lath-and-plaster has failed. Modern gypsum plaster bonds impermeably, traps moisture at the cold-warm interface, and causes lintel rot, efflorescence, and paint failure over 3-7 years.

On modern studwork, plasterboard with gypsum skim is the norm and entirely correct. The diagnostic question is the substrate: solid brick with lime mortar → lime plaster; stud wall or concrete block → gypsum.

On listed buildings and in conservation areas where interior cornicing, picture rails, and ceiling roses are features of interest, replastering is a conservation-skilled trade. Original cornicing can be moulded on-site from silicone rubber moulds of preserved sections; full-ceiling lath-and-plaster replacement is a specialist subcontract typically costing 2-3x a flat-ceiling gypsum job.

AskBaily routes London replastering to trades with lime-plaster certification, lath-and-plaster repair experience, and cornice-restoration capability on conservation and listed projects.

Replastering compliance checklist

  • Substrate diagnosis. Solid brick with lime → lime plaster. Stud / block → gypsum.
  • Breathability. Period walls need vapour-open finishes. Modern impermeable paints and skims fail.
  • Listed / conservation. Cornice, ceiling-rose, and picture-rail restoration skills required.
  • Lath repair. Riven or sawn timber lath, cow-hair or hemp fibre in the lime.
  • Cornice matching. Silicone mould from preserved section; on-site casting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just skim over old lime plaster with modern gypsum? Technically yes; practically no. Modern gypsum is impermeable and will trap moisture behind, causing blown plaster, efflorescence, and paint failure within a few years. Lime-over-lime is the correct approach.

How much does London replastering cost? £30-£50 per sq m for standard gypsum skim on plasterboard. £55-£90 per sq m for lime plaster on existing lath. £150-£400 per linear metre for cornice restoration. Listed buildings frequently run 2-3x.

Do I need Listed Building Consent to replaster? If the existing plaster is part of the protected historic fabric (typically ceilings with original lath-and-plaster and cornicing), yes. Removing and replacing with modern gypsum without consent is unauthorised.

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