Overboarding a wall is a construction and renovation technique that involves installing a new layer of plasterboard directly over an existing wall surface, rather than tearing down the old wall.
If your property has traditional lath and plaster ceilings that are in need of repairs, a common tradesman's fix is to overboard (cover) them with plasterboard, rather than deal with the original failing plasterwork.
Overboarding occurs when one person sits on too many boards, which diminishes their ability to serve the organisation effectively. There isn't an absolute number of how many boards a person should sit on, but typically this is between four and six in developed nations.
Durability. Since plaster is a thicker material than drywall, it is a much more durable material.
Over boarding is a quick fix and less messy. However, I advise taking the hit on the messy job and take the old ceiling down, the re board onto the joists and skim. This way you know exactly what's in the cowling and you're guaranteed to miss any wires if you have spot lights etc.
The average cost to overboard and plaster a ceiling in the UK is £1,000,although smaller box rooms will likely sit more around the £700 mark.
Ceilings are being treated as the "fifth wall" in interior design, moving away from plain white to become a primary focal point. Key trends include bold colors and high-gloss paints, intricate moldings, integrated tech lighting, and natural materials.
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional drywall, PVC wall panels (like Trusscore or Duramax) are a leading modern replacement. They install up to four times faster than gypsum boards because they eliminate the need to mud, tape, sand, or paint.
Lath and plaster was a skilled craft and a time-consuming technique and the advent of cheaper, mass produced, pre-manufactured plasterboard meant lath and plaster largely fell out of favour by the 1930s and 1940s. Plasterboard was simply faster and less expensive to install.
In North America, “drywall” is the standard term, while “plasterboard” is more commonly used in Europe and Australia. Installation Process: There is no significant difference in the installation process of drywall and plasterboard.
If the swirl pattern is not to deep you can skim over it, if it is then it's best to overboard or rip down the old. If you overboard, it's best to get it skimmed anyway, you can tape and fill if you don't want to, but being on a ceiling the lines will 100% show through once it's painted and you have lights on.
It is possible to fix plasterboard over an existing ceiling, but you'll need to determine where the joists are first. For upstairs rooms, this can be done by measuring the joist gaps in the loft. Downstairs you'll have to prod the ceiling with an awl or lift the floorboards into the room above.
The cheapest way to replace or update a ceiling is to cover the existing damaged ceiling rather than tearing it down. You can cover it using paint, adhesive styrofoam ceiling tiles, or by installing a Trusscore Wall & Ceiling Board system, saving thousands in demolition and disposal costs.
Hanging drywall on top of existing drywall can be slightly more difficult than installing drywall from scratch, as you need to locate the studs beneath the current drywall. You also need to extend the windowsills, trim, outlets, and light switches in the room.
Average Day Rates for Plasterers
Most plasterers in the UK charge by the day. Typical daily rates range from £150 to £250, depending on location, skill level, and job complexity. In areas like Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, prices often sit around the middle of that range.
People choose plaster over drywall for its superior durability, better soundproofing, and smoother, more polished aesthetic. While drywall is quicker and cheaper to install, plaster provides a premium, hard-surface finish that is highly resistant to dents and is ideal for curved walls.
Cost savings: Thin walls are less expensive to build than thicker walls, as they require less material and labor. This can make homes more affordable for buyers and builders.
In use as early as 1900, rock lath (also known as "button board," "plaster board" or "gypsum-board lath"), is a type of gypsum wall board (essentially an early form of drywall) with holes spaced regularly to provide a 'key' for wet plaster. Rock lath was typically produced in sheets sized 2 by 4 feet (610 by 1,220 mm).
Before the widespread adoption of drywall in the 1940s and 1950s, older houses used a method called lath and plaster. This technique consisted of nailing thin wooden strips (lath) horizontally across wall studs and coating them in thick layers of plaster.
Some people add a small amount of dish soap to drywall mud to reduce surface tension, which helps release air bubbles and create a smoother, more even finish, especially when applying the final "skim coat"; however, this practice is not recommended by professionals as it can potentially weaken the adhesion of the mud ...
Smooth ceilings and knockdown texture are the top choices. Smooth finishes are preferred for modern, high-end, or minimalist spaces, while knockdown (a mottled, dimensional look) is widely used to conceal minor imperfections. Skip trowel is also trending for a rustic, artisan plaster look.
Interior design in 2026 rejects stark minimalism and cool grays, focusing instead on warmth, deep earthy tones, and layered textures. The current aesthetic heavily prioritizes coziness, traditional detailing, and sustainable materials to create curated, "lived-in" spaces over ultra-luxurious, showroom-like environments.
Homeowners and designers are moving away from traditional, bulky ceiling fans in favor of sleeker alternatives. The primary replacements are flush-mount statement light fixtures for purely aesthetic spaces, architectural recessed lighting, modern bladeless fans, and upgraded smart ceiling fans that provide better airflow without dominating the ceiling.
Popcorn ceilings don't kill a deal—but removing them almost always adds perceived value, especially in higher-end or updated homes. Buyers read them as “hasn't been updated yet.”