Our Top Tips For Renovating A Derelict Property

It can be very tricky getting onto the property ladder or finding the perfect house for you, but you can make life a little easier for yourself if you decide to invest in a derelict property, a fixer-upper that you can renovate and bring back to life as you see fit.

Of course, this is no mean feat and you will need to be properly prepared for a lot of hard work, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience and one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

And who knows what you might uncover when you do start the renovation work - you might have a whole host of hidden period features to discover, for example.

Once you find a house you’re interested in, make sure you have a surveyor give it a thorough going over before you buy, so you know there aren’t any problems that could prove expensive, such as asbestos, subsidence, damp and so on. Knowledge is power, so make sure you have all the information you need before you make a final decision.

If you are lucky enough to have a property with lots of historic period features, it would perhaps be wise to do your best to restore them properly and bring them back to life.

These can look especially beautiful standing out in a contemporary design scheme so just because something seems dated, don’t feel that the best course of action is to just get rid of it. They serve as inbuilt focal points in your rooms and will always be a real talking point for guests.

Wondering how to plaster cornice? Get in touch with Ovolo London today.

Plaster Cornices

Here are some points worth noting to aid your decision when contemplating different cornice products, as well as to help eliminate paying for a poorly-made product:

·      Traditional cornices were cast using three materials; Plaster of Paris, hessian and wooden laths.

·      Modern cornices are now made from polystyrene, plasterboard or glass-reinforced plaster (GRP) commonly.

·      Many companies still make cornice traditionally, particularly in England.

·      There are many different quality plasters available for manufacture; varying from approximately £5 per 25kg bag, up to £40+ per 25kg.

·      There are different lath thicknesses. Naturally, you will want to use the thickest lath possible, which will benefit the strength and fixing of the cornice.

·      Traditionally made plaster cornices adhere to most fire regulations rules, if made correctly.

·      Every cornice should have a bracket (lath or hessian) on the back to increase strength.

·      Hessian allows the cornice to be flexible. This is a great advantage when working in a building where the walls and ceilings aren’t straight or level.

·      There should be no hessian visible on the finished face of the cornice once dry.

·      The cornice should be around 7-10mm thick in all places – to avoid weak points.

·      If there is cracking visible on the face of your cornice, it is likely because the laths were dry in the process of manufacturing the cornice.