Skim Coating & Plaster Work

Skim coating is the process of applying a layer of muddy compound to smooth out rough or damaged ceilings and walls. The compound can be used to repair entire walls or fill deep scratches, holes, dents, and water-damaged portions of drywall. After applying a slab of skim coat to the damaged or textured area, the excess is skimmed off and a second layer is often added. The wall can then be painted or wallpapered without the appearance of dings, paint bubbles, or roughness.

Skim coating typically refers to the use of joint compound, more commonly called drywall compound or mud. This material is a thick but spreadable substance that dries and hardens over time, maintaining the drywall or plaster’s integrity and continuity. Plaster is a relatively soft material that is not ideal for supporting the weight of a building, but is often used to make interior walls. Plaster has been largely replaced by drywall in recent years, a material made of slabs of plaster that are sandwiched between sheets of paper and layered on top of one another. Plaster walls and ceilings have many advantages including durability, moisture resistance, and a greater ability to muffle sound. Unlike drywall, however, which is very easy to replace or repair, fixing damage to a plaster surface requires a bit more work.