Two coats. One perfect finish.
Float and set is traditional two-coat plastering for bare masonry, blockwork, and brick. A scratch coat of bonding or browning creates a flat, true surface, then a skim coat of multi-finish delivers the smooth finish that makes a room.
Float and set is the right way to plaster bare walls. Here’s why we do it properly.
The scratch coat is ruled with a darby and checked with a straight edge to ensure every wall is plumb and flat. This base layer is what gives the finished room its clean, professional lines.
Bonding plaster for low-suction surfaces like concrete and engineering brick. Browning for high-suction substrates like aerated block and commons. We match the undercoat to the background for a strong, lasting bond.
We work room by room. Scratch coat goes on day one, skim coat day two once the undercoat has set. Dust sheets protect everything. We clear up properly before we leave.
Proper two-coat plaster, applied at the right thickness with correct suction control, doesn’t crack. We scrim all joints and weak points for a defect-free finish.
Traditional two-coat plastering done with precision.
Walls are brushed clean, PVA’d or wetted as needed. Angle beads are fixed, scrim tape applied to joints, and the area is fully sheeted.
Bonding or browning plaster is applied at 8–11mm thickness, ruled flat with a darby, and scratched to key for the finish coat.
Once set, two thin coats of multi-finish plaster are applied and trowelled to a glass-smooth finish. Corners and edges are cut in cleanly.
Dust sheets removed, floors swept, everything left tidy. Walls are ready for a mist coat and decorating within 3–5 days.
Float and set is traditional two-coat plastering straight onto brick, block or stone: a base coat of bonding or browning plaster floated flat to take out the bumps and bring the wall true, then a finish coat skimmed over it once it has set. It is the right job for walls that have been stripped back to the masonry after damp treatment, for new blockwork in extensions and garage conversions, for walls where the old plaster has blown and come off, and for any wall too uneven for a straight skim.
Done well it leaves a wall that is flat, square and solid, with none of the hollow sound or flex of a badly dry-lined one, and it takes a skim beautifully. The background is prepared first: dust removed, the right bonding agent or key applied, beads fitted at corners and reveals. The float coat goes on and is ruled flat, scratched for a key, and left to set, usually overnight. Then the finish coat is applied and trowelled up smooth. A typical room takes two to three days.
After damp work we use a renovation plaster for the float coat rather than standard browning, because it resists the salts left in the wall and lets it dry out. On the solid-walled terraces, cottages and Tyneside flats across the North East that is the system that lasts.
If a wall we plastered is not right, we come back and sort it. The background is prepared and the right system used for it, which is why that rarely happens.
Float and set gives a solid wall and suits older masonry and anything uneven. Plasterboard is quicker and lets you add insulation, and suits timber studs and extensions. We advise on the quote visit; sometimes a house needs both.
Longer than a skim, because there is more plaster. Four to six weeks before painting is typical, with a mist coat first. Renovation plaster after damp work can take longer.
No, it goes on bare masonry. If the old plaster is sound it only needs a skim; if it is blown it comes off first.
Practical advice and in-depth guides related to this service.
9.75/10 average rating across 65 verified reviews
“On pricing this job, the customer used an 'experienced tradesman' who used a steamer to remove wallpaper from plasterboard walls and they were removing the jointing tape and the skin from the plasterboard, thus leaving an unlevel surface. I suggested reboarding but they said they didn't have a lot of money to play with. While the 'tradesman' was removing the wallpaper the customer demanded via text that I go that very minute to see what a mess this tradesman was making. While we were working, her husband commented on how we were the best tradesmen they'd had, as we just got on with the job. I'd mistakingly missed out a price for a ceiling, so I skimmed that for no extra charge as the price had already been agreed. (No mention of this was in her review however). We always ask customers to check the work before we leave and both said they were 'over the moon' with the work and they paid via bank transfer a few hours after I'd left. It's clear the 'tradesman' hasn't prepped the newly plastered walls properly, as the paint has now blebbed. That's not a fault with the plastering, but with the lack of preparation on the decorator's behalf. It took 7 days for the customer to let me know she wasn't happy (and that was after the walls had been painted!).”
Checked & Vetted“I contacted Dean about the job and he was on hand to review damage, give a reasonable estimate within my budget and was on stand by once property dried out. Work started promptly and done with the estimated 3 days to a very high standard as always by Dean and his soon. Clean and tidy work too. .”
Checked & Vetted“Dean and his team started the job Tuesday and was done in 3 days. Very professional, workmanship to very high standards was told the ins and outs of process of work to be carried out and very clean. Amazing job for the price. Always on time, would highly recommend. Will definitely be using dean in the near future. .”
Checked & Vetted“Dean came out to give me a quote, he knew what needed doing and I was happy with what he quoted. He took down 2 ceilings, replaced them, skimmed and then put up some coving. I can’t fault his work at all, the ceilings look amazing, he left my home clean and tidy. I’d highly recommend. .”
Checked & Vetted“Dean at Absolutely Plastered is the only tradesmen I know that I can rely on! He always responds to requests! In this instance, we wanted some pretty poor brickwork covered at back of house & Dean advised other options that I was not aware...”
Google“I had Absolutely Plastered out to inspect a damp problem in my home, he was knowledgeable and we agreed a price. Dean was prompt, came out when he said he would, installed a new damp course and plastered. Very reasonable and I’d highly recommend.”
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