What is asbestos artex? 

Asbestos Textured Coating , is a coating which was applied to ceilings and walls for a decorative finish. White Asbestos (Chrysotile) fibres were mixed with plaster and cement then applied by hand.

Artex is a brand name of textured coating , other common names such as Popcorn Ceilings and Decorative Coating are also used.

As well as the brand name Artex , there were other brands such as Wondertex , Pebbletex , Suretex and Newtex. 

Where can Asbestos Artex be found? 

Any property which was built before the year 2000 can contain asbestos artex.

The use and import of asbestos was banned in 1999 , taking into account surplus stock , 2000 is the date which is recommended as a base line.

Artex can be found on ceilings and walls in residential and commercial properties. 

How to know if your property contains Artex 

Step 1 - check the age of the property – any property from 2001 onwards will not contain asbestos artex.

Step 2 - take a look at the ceilings and walls in the property. Artex was applied in either a swirled effect or stippled effect.

Step 3 – have Asbestos Testing carried out on the artex to find out if it does contain asbestos.

Asbestos testing is the only way to tell if artex contains asbestos. No one , no matter how experienced they are , can tell by a visual assessment!



Asbestos Testing can be carried out by a professional asbestos survey company , a small sample of material will be removed and tested by a UKAS Accredited Laboratory. The results show whether asbestos is present and what type of asbestos it is. 

What does asbestos artex look like? 

Here are some photo examples of what asbestos artex on ceilings and walls look like :



If you suspect a building you have contains asbestos , the best option is to get an Asbestos Survey or Testing carried out. Contact us for a free , no obligation quotation to see how we can help.