With plasterboard do you always have to skim?

Question

If I'm wallpapering over plasterboard, do I need to skim? Some people have said paint over it and then wallpaper and no need to skim. Is this right?

Answer 1

hi there you dont need to paint it or skim it 1st just paper it hope i helped good luck oh just make sure you fill the joints so you get smooth finish

Answer 2

when the plasterboard is put up, make sure the nail or screws are driven slightly indented put fiberblass tape on the tapered joints (they have to be tapered edge boards)  then get yourself a bucket of filler. fill the joints and s***w indentations flush, let dry, then sand, provided the boards werent damaged and were put up on a level background you can paint or wallpaper over them and you wont know the difference

Answer 3

Some partition systems like those used in offices use vinyl wrapped plasterboard and no wet trades , ie skimming, with cover strips to hide the joints. Most people don't like this in their homes though, and skimming gives a traditional finish, which you decorate like a regular wall.

You can use special tapered board (usually ivory coloured) which you fill and tape which can be quite successfully done. You then prime and decorate with paper on that. The regular (cheaper) grey paper jobs should be skimmed.  

http://www.british-gypsum.com/products/p...

Answer 4

if you dont skim, you will not end up with a smooth surface and all the wee hammer and s***w holes will show through. you can cut corners, but it will not be as good if you didnt!

Answer 5

You don't skim platerboard it will just start falling apart but why don't you just put wallpaper up on it, you don't need to paint if you don't want to.

Answer 6

no you can paper onto pboard that has been taped and filled as long as it has been sealed, there is a british gypsum sealer.

the sealer helps to keep the paper 'away' from the pboard paper.

this means you can strip the wallpaper later with less risk of the pboard paper being damaged/lifting off

skim plaster is better as it gives a good surface to strip paper from in the future, rather than damaging the board surface

Answer 7

Just be sure to do all the joints and s***w holes!!

Depending on what the final effect you want and type of paper you are going to use will let you decide as to "skim" it or not..... Ask a professional on what they would do!! call one up and just ask !!!!

Answer 8

I have recently completed 2 rooms in my house just using plasterboard.  You will need to use Plasterboard Joint tape.  You will also have to ensure it is sanded down to ensure you don;t see it under the paper.  Once that is done I suggest you seal the plasterboard with a PVA sealer to ensure the paste and moister don;t soak into the board.  I have painted one room and tiled the other not problems.  Dependent on the size of the room it might be easier and quicker to get a plasterer in just to give it a quick skim,