what is textured coating (Artex)?
Facts:
Asbestos Type: Chrysotile
Colour: White
Commonly Found: Ceilings & Walls
Popular In: Homes, Schools, Offices, & Commercial Buildings
Good to know: Can become hazardous if drilled, sanded. scraped, or damaged
Risk: Medium
Decorative Textured Coatings were were widely used throughout the UK from the 1950s through to the late 1980s as a decorative finish for walls and ceilings. These coatings were popular because they could hide imperfections, add texture, and create decorative patterns while being relatively inexpensive and easy to apply.
Although "Artex" is often used as a general term, it is actually a brand name that became commonly associated with textured coatings.
Decorative Textured Coatings
where is artex commonly found?
Ceilings in homes built or refurbished before 2000
Hallways & Staircases
Living Room & Bedroom Ceilings
Kitchens & Bathrooms
Walls in Domestic Properties
Schools & Public Buildings
Offices & Commercial Properties
Corridors & Communal areas in flats
- Not all textured coatings contain asbestos, testing is the only way to confirm
- Multiple layers of paint can sometimes conceal textured coatings.
- DIY removal without proper controls can create significant contamination
types of asbestos found in textured coatings
Decorative Textured Coatings is the most commonly used asbestos type in textured coatings. Chrysotile is part of the Serpentine asbestos family. It contains curly fibres and is usually present in low percentages, often between 1 - 4%.
While Chrysotile is considered less hazardous than Amphibole asbestos types, it still presents a serious health risk when fibres are disturbed and become airborne.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
What you need to know
Textured coatings containing asbestos are generally considered lower risk when left undisturbed and in good condition. However, sanding, scraping, drilling, cutting, or removing the coating can release dangerous asbestos fibres into the air.
sanding, scraping, drilling, cutting, or
Generally comes under non-licensed works however in some cases can be classified as Notifiable Non-Licensed Works (NNLW) depending on size of area and condition. This means works will need to be notified to the HSE prior to works commencing however it is not subject to the full 14-day notification period as per fully licensed works. Removal must still be carried out by trained and competent professionals using controlled measures and appropriate safety measures.
removing the coating
our projects
Explore some of our recent textured coating asbestos removal projects showcasing the safe, professional, and compliant work we deliver for our clients.
Textured Coating, Residential
Removal of asbestos containing textured coating ceilings, including associated plasterboard from the hallway, stairs, and landing areas of a residential property in Swanley.
Works involved the full removal of ceiling finishes where the textured coating was applied, carefully removing both the coating and plasterboard substrates from the affected areas. Controlled asbestos removal procedures were used throughout, with all working areas fully protected and contained to prevent contamination.
All waste materials were safely removed from site and disposed of at a licenced facility in accordance with current asbestos regulations. the property was left clean, safe and ready for reinstatement and decoration works.
Textured Coating, landlords
Removal of asbestos-containing textured coating from a residential property in Barking carried out for the same landlord client as a previous project in Dagenham during a tenant changeover.
Works included the removal of asbestos floor tiles throughout the property, along with the removal of textured coating from ceilings. In this case, the textured coating was applied directly to concrete rather than plasterboard , so a controlled removal process was used involving scraping with a textured coating remover to safely break down and remove the material.
All areas were fully prepared and protected prior to works, with strict containment and asbestos control measures in place throughout. All waste materials were safely removed from site and disposed of at a licensed facility in accordance with current regulations.
The property was left clean, safe, and ready for the incoming tenant
Textured Coating, Lift Lobbies
Removal of approximately 60m² of asbestos-containing textured coating from the lift lobbies of a 12-storey residential tower block in Ilford.
Works were carried out across each floor, with around 5m² of textured coating present on the walls within every lift lobby. The coating was required to be removed to facilitate lift upgrade works and allow engineers to install new lift systems safely.
Due to the nature of the occupied high-rise building, the works were carefully planned and completed in a phased manner to minimise disruption to residents and maintain safe access throughout. Controlled asbestos removal techniques were used, with each area fully protected and contained during works.
All asbestos waste was safely bagged, removed from site, and disposed of in accordance with current regulations, allowing the lift installation programme to proceed as scheduled.
Textured Coating, Dagenham
Removal of asbestos-containing textured coating from the hallway, stairs, and landing areas of a residential property in Dagenham.
The works were carried out on behalf of a landlord to prepare the property between tenancies, following the departure of one resident and prior to re-letting to a new occupant.
Controlled removal methods were used to safely strip the textured coating from the wall surfaces, with all areas fully protected throughout the works. Waste materials were carefully packaged and removed from site, then disposed of at a licensed facility in accordance with current asbestos regulations.
The property was left clean, safe, and ready for reoccupation and follow-on refurbishment works.
textured coating (artex) removal
Textured coating (Artex) removal carried out throughout a 3 bedroom property in Basildon. Works included the safe removal of asbestos-containing textured coatings from ceilings and walls across multiple rooms within the property.
The area was carefully prepared and protected prior to removal works commencing, with controlled removal methods used to minimise dust and fibre release. All waste materials were safely packaged, removed from site and disposed of in accordance with current asbestos regulations.
The property was left clean and ready for the next stage of refurbishment and redecoration.
Textured Coating, Pre House sale
We attended a residential property in Witham prior to the sale of the house to carry out sampling of textured coating to ceilings within the property.
Representative samples were carefully taken and submitted for laboratory analysis, with results confirming the presence of chrysotile (white asbestos) within the textured coating material.
Following the results, we provided the client with advice on the next steps and arranged for the safe removal of the asbestos-containing textured coating to allow the property sale to proceed with minimal delay.
textured coating to church hall
Removal of approximately 70m² of asbestos-containing textured coating and plasterboard from a church hall in Rainham following damage to the affected areas.
Works were carried out under controlled conditions using suitable asbestos removal procedures, with all affected plasterboard and textured coating carefully removed, safely packaged and disposed of at a licensed facility.
Due to the hall being in regular use, the project was completed within a tight timeframe to minimise disruption and allow the building to reopen as quickly as possible. The area was left clean, safe and ready for reinstatement works.