Artex Textured Coating

Artex is a brand name that has become the generic term in the United Kingdom for textured decorative ceiling and wall coatings. Manufactured and sold from the 1960s through to the mid-1980s, Artex products contained chrysotile (white) asbestos at concentrations typically between 1% and 5% by weight. The asbestos fibres were added to the gypsum-based compound to improve workability, crack resistance, and fire performance. While the asbestos content is relatively low compared to other materials, the sheer volume of Artex applied across British buildings makes it one of the most commonly encountered asbestos-containing materials.

Artex was applied to millions of ceilings and walls in residential homes, council housing, schools, hospitals, churches, and commercial buildings throughout the UK and Ireland during the 1970s, the peak decade for textured coatings. The product was popular because it concealed imperfections in plasterwork, added visual interest, and could be applied by professional decorators and DIY enthusiasts alike. Common patterns include swirl, fan, stipple, comb, bark, and random texture designs.

The Artex brand specifically removed asbestos from its products in approximately 1984, though the exact transition date varied by product line. However, other manufacturers of similar textured coatings, including Wondertex, Suretex, and Newtex, also used asbestos in their formulations during this period. Any textured coating applied before 1985 in the UK should be presumed to contain asbestos until laboratory testing proves otherwise.

While Artex is classified as non-friable when intact and undisturbed, it receives an elevated risk rating because common renovation activities readily disturb the material. Sanding, scraping, drilling holes, removing the coating, or even vigorous cleaning can release asbestos fibres. Many homeowners have unknowingly created hazardous exposure by sanding Artex ceilings smooth during renovation. The recommended approach is to either leave Artex undisturbed, skim over it with fresh plaster to encapsulate the asbestos, or engage a licensed professional for removal using wet methods and full containment.