Fitting coving

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Including Ceiling Centres, Dado Rails and Panel Mouldings. Coving has been used for generations to provide a decorative feature, not only in grand buildings but also in more modest family homes. It adds character and extra interest to a room with the added benefit of masking the join between ceiling and wall.

Modern coving is easy to fix and the specially designed corner sections make the job even easier.

Coving is available in 4 different materials.
1. Lightweight polystyrene.
2. Paper-wrapped polystyrene.
3. Paper-wrapped plaster.
4. Traditional plaster.

Always consider 'safety' before you start any DIY project. Look for the 'Be Safe' sign and read the safety advice.

Fitting polystyrene coving

Use the appropriate adhesive for this project.

1 To locate the fixing surfaces, offer a piece of coving up to the wall/ceiling (using a spirit level) and mark guidelines to show the top and bottom edges. Mark out around the room.

2 Coving must be fixed to clean, firm surfaces. Remove all traces of soft distemper, loose plaster, wallpaper or flaking paint from the wall and ceiling surfaces between the guidelines.

3 Start by fixing 2 pieces of coving in a corner. Use pre-mitred corner pieces or lengths you have mitre cut yourself. When measuring and marking each length of coving always allow for the angle of any mitre cut. Apply adhesive using a serrated edge spreader to the angled edges of the coving surfaces that will be in contact with the wall and ceiling.

4 Gently press both pieces of the first corner set into position on the pencil line. Repeat at the next corner. Wipe away excess adhesive with a damp cloth.

Fitting plaster coving

Use the appropriate adhesive for this project.

1 Offer a piece of coving up to the wall/ceiling (using a spirit level) and mark guidelines to show the top and bottom edges. Mark out around the room. Coving must be fixed to clean, firm surfaces. Remove all traces of soft distemper, loose plaster, wallpaper or flaking paint from the wall and ceiling surfaces between the guidelines.

2 Now

3 When measuring and marking each length of Cove always allow for the angle of any mitre cut. Transfer the measurements taken from the wall to the back of the Cove, mark the position of cut required. Ensure the cove is well supported and use the appropriate mitre guide to set the correct cutting angle. Cut into the curve and lightly sandpaper all cut edges to remove paper burrs.

4 Spread adhesive generously onto the scored surface of the wall and ceiling and onto the angled edges of the coving surfaces that will be in contact with the wall and ceiling.

Fitting ceiling centres

Use the appropriate adhesive for this project *.

1 Ensure electricity is turned off at the mains whilst preparing and fitting.

2 Remove light fitting and ceiling rose. (In some circumstances it may be possible to leave the ceiling rose in position and fit the ceiling centre over the top of it). Make a small hole in ceiling centre for flex to come through.

3 Ensure ceiling surface is clean, firm and even.

4 Apply adhesive to rim of ceiling centre. Position and hold temporarily until it adheres.

Fitting a plaster dada rail and panel mouldings

Large areas of wall can look awkward and uninteresting. A plaster dado rail or panel mouldings can solve this by creating natural breaks and allowing different decorative effects to be used.

Use the appropriate adhesive for this project.

Dado rail

1 Draw a horizontal line around the room at the height you require the dado. Use a straight edge and spirit level.

2 Ensure the wall is clean, firm and even.