Amsterdam city centre
Smoothly finished living room
Walls and ceiling plastered completely smooth and handed over paint-ready during a full renovation.
Wall, ceiling & finishing work
Plastering & Finishing
Rotterdamse Bouwbedrijf takes care of the complete wall and ceiling finishing during renovations and refurbishments. From plastering walls and ceilings smooth or paint-ready to lining paper, decorative plaster and repair work, finished sleekly by one dedicated team of craftsmen.
Why choose us
Sleek plastering starts with the substrate
A smooth wall is only as good as the preparation beneath it. We take the time to repair, level and create the right substrate, so the plaster stays sleek and does not crack.
Our own dedicated team
Our own plasterers, not a rotating cast of subcontractors. The same people, the same standard, even on larger projects.
Part of the renovation
The plastering ties in seamlessly with the services, window frames and finishing, because we keep the whole project in our own hands.
One price up front
You know where you stand from the outset. No surprises afterwards, and you get a one-year guarantee on our work.
What we do
All wall and ceiling finishing under one roof
From sleek smooth plastering to decorative stucco. We advise on what suits each room best.
Smooth plastering
A sleek, smooth coat of plaster on walls and ceilings, paint-ready straight away. The most popular finish for living spaces.
Wall plastering
New or existing walls finished sleekly, from levelling and repairs to an even, paint-ready wall.
Ceiling plastering
Even, seamless ceilings with no cracks or old tiles, finished smooth and ready to paint.
Decorative plaster
Decorative textured plaster (spachtelputz): hard-wearing, characterful and low-maintenance, ideal where you want texture.
Lining-paper ready
The substrate prepared for lining paper or glass-fibre lining. Bridges hairline cracks and gives an even, paintable wall.
Paint-ready plastering
Finished so sleekly that, once dry, you can paint straight over it with no further preparation.
Spray plastering
Fast, even spray work for ceilings and walls. A seamless result, ideal for larger surfaces.
Microcement
A seamless, hard-wearing, moisture-resistant cement finish for walls, floors and bathrooms, with a sleek, industrial look.
To bathroom renovationRepairs & levelling
Repairing and levelling cracks, holes, damage and uneven walls as the basis for a sleek final result.
Not sure which finish suits your room?
Ask for free advice
Projects
All projects
Sleekly finished in Rotterdam and the Randstad
Rotterdam North
Walls and ceilings plastered
Every room plastered sleekly after repairing the substrate, ready for painting.
Rotterdam West
Sleek plastering in an apartment
A whole apartment given smooth, paint-ready plastering as part of the renovation.
We are continually gathering more before-and-after photos and close-ups of sleek plastering. Feel free to ask for references in your area.
How we work
Five steps to sleek walls
1
Survey & advice
We assess the substrate and the room and advise on the best finish: smooth, lining paper or decorative plaster.
2
Preparation
Masking off, repairing the substrate, levelling and applying the right primer or reinforcement.
3
Plastering
Applying plaster to walls and ceilings sleekly in the right coats, smooth or in the texture you want.
4
Drying
We give the plaster time to dry out evenly and fully before it is finished.
5
Handover
Checking over, touching up small points and handing over neatly, paint-ready.
Curious what plastering would cost for your home?
Request a free quote
Our own plasterers
Craftsmanship by our own team, no subcontractors.
One price up front
A clear quote, no surprises afterwards.
1-year guarantee
On the plastering we carry out.
Service area
Plastering in Rotterdam and across the Randstad
Rotterdamse Bouwbedrijf is at home in Rotterdam, but we plaster and finish across the whole Randstad. From Rotterdam and Dordrecht to The Hague, Leiden and Amsterdam, and everywhere in between. Don't see your town listed? Do get in touch.
And also in, among others
SchiedamCapelle aan den IJsselVlaardingenRidderkerkBarendrechtSpijkenisseRijswijkVoorburgZoetermeerLeiderdorpGoudaAlphen aan den RijnAmstelveenWassenaar
Frequently asked questions
Questions about plastering
What is the difference between paint-ready and wallpaper-ready plastering?
Paint-ready plastering is finished so smooth and flat that, once dry, you can paint straight over it. Wallpaper-ready (or lining-paper ready) is finished slightly less finely, because wall covering still goes over it to hide small imperfections. Paint-ready calls for more craftsmanship and is therefore a little higher in price.
Can I paint straight over fresh plaster?
No, let the plaster dry out fully first. Allow roughly one to two weeks per coat, depending on the thickness of the layer, ventilation and temperature. Paint applied to still-damp plaster can blister or stain. A good plasterer deliberately builds the drying time into the schedule.
How long does plaster need to dry?
One to two weeks on average, but thicker layers, cement-based plaster or poorly ventilated rooms take longer. As it dries, the plaster changes from dark to an even, light tone. Only once it is a uniform colour all over is it ready to finish.
Can you still plaster old, damaged walls smooth?
Yes. In renovations especially, walls are often out of true, damaged or carrying loose old plaster. We first repair and level them, apply a primer or reinforcement where needed, and then plaster them smooth. Proper preparation of the substrate largely determines the final result.
What causes cracks in plaster and how do you prevent them?
Cracks come from movement in the substrate, settlement, temperature differences, or from plastering onto the wrong or a non-bonding surface. We assess the substrate, use the correct primer and apply reinforcing mesh at vulnerable points (joints, junctions and corners), so the plaster stays sound.
What exactly is smooth plastering?
Smooth plastering, also known as skimming, is a thin, sleek coat of plaster that makes walls and ceilings even and smooth. It is the most popular finish for living spaces because it is sleek, timeless and paint-ready straight away.
When is lining paper smarter than smooth plastering?
For walls that are prone to cracking or have lots of small imperfections, lining paper (glass-fibre lining) is often smarter and more economical. It bridges hairline cracks, gives an even surface and can be painted over straight away. For a completely sleek, smooth result with no texture, smooth plastering remains the best choice.
Can you plaster or spray ceilings too?
Yes. We finish ceilings smooth by hand or, where that is quicker and more even, with textured spray plaster. A plastered or sprayed ceiling is seamless, even and paint-ready, and looks far sleeker than, say, old tiles or timber cladding.
What is decorative plaster or spachtelputz?
Decorative plaster is a decorative finish with a fine or coarser texture. It is hard-wearing, hides imperfections and gives a wall a lively look. Handy in rooms where you want a low-maintenance, textured wall rather than a sleek, smooth one.
Do you plaster bathrooms and other damp rooms?
Yes, but with the right, moisture-resistant materials and build-up. In wet zones we prefer cement-based plaster or a water-resistant finish such as microcement. See also our bathroom renovation page for the complete approach.
Can the plastering be included in a full renovation?
Certainly, and that is often the smartest option. During a full home renovation the property is open anyway, the services are tucked away and the substrate is sound. Plastering is then the logical step just before finishing, so you get sleek, paint-ready walls and ceilings in one go.
Do you offer microcement (béton ciré) too?
Yes. Microcement (béton ciré) is a seamless, hard-wearing cement finish for walls, floors and even bathrooms. It gives a sleek, industrial look with no joints. Because it is built up by hand in thin layers, the price per m² is higher than for standard plastering.
What is the difference between gypsum-based and cement-based plaster?
Gypsum-based plaster is ideal for dry interior rooms: it finishes finely and dries relatively quickly. Cement-based plaster is stronger and moisture-resistant and is used in wet rooms, cellars and on external walls. We choose the material based on the room and the substrate.
Ready for sleek walls and ceilings?
Living in Rotterdam or the Randstad and looking to have your home plastered or finished? Request a free, no-obligation quote from Rotterdamse Bouwbedrijf.
Knowledge base
Plastering and wall finishing: what a plasterer would tell you
The background below will help you make the right choices when having your home plastered. No sales pitch, just the practical considerations.
Which type of plastering suits which room?
In living rooms and bedrooms people usually choose smooth plastering (gypsum-based), because it is sleek, timeless and paint-ready straight away. In wet rooms such as the bathroom and cellar, you work with cement-based plaster or a water-resistant finish. Where you want texture or extra robustness, decorative plaster is a good choice, and on crack-prone walls lining paper is the answer.
Paint-ready versus wallpaper-ready
Paint-ready plastering is finished so smooth that you can paint straight over it. Wallpaper-ready or lining-paper ready is slightly less fine, because wall covering still goes over it to absorb small imperfections. If you want sleek, smooth walls without wallpaper, choose paint-ready; if lining paper or wallpaper is going on anyway, wallpaper-ready saves you money.
When to repair the walls first?
Almost always. Loose old plaster, cracks, holes and uneven walls must first be repaired and levelled. Plastering over a poor substrate causes problems sooner or later: it fails to bond, cracks or comes away. A good plasterer spends more time on the preparation than on the plastering itself.
Why do cracks appear in plaster?
Cracks come from movement in the substrate (settlement, temperature, vibration), from plastering onto a non-bonding or overly smooth surface, or because joints and material transitions have not been reinforced. At vulnerable points, such as junctions between different materials, we therefore apply reinforcing mesh and use the correct primer.
Substrates and primer
Every substrate calls for its own approach. Smooth, absorbent or non-absorbent surfaces get a suitable primer so the plaster bonds well and dries evenly. Concrete, gypsum blocks, sand-lime brick and old plaster all behave differently. Assessing the substrate is therefore the first step.
Drying time: give it time
Fresh plaster must dry out fully before it is painted, roughly one to two weeks per coat, depending on the thickness of the layer, ventilation and temperature. As it dries, the colour shifts from dark to an even, light tone. Finishing too early leads to blistering paint or staining. We factor this into a tight renovation schedule.
Gypsum-based versus cement-based plaster
Gypsum-based plaster finishes finely and dries relatively quickly; ideal for dry interior rooms. Cement-based plaster is stronger and moisture-resistant and is used in bathrooms, cellars and on external walls. The choice depends on the room, the load and the moisture conditions.
Plastering in the bathroom
In a bathroom, plaster can look beautiful, but only with moisture-resistant materials and a sound build-up. Microcement is popular for a seamless, water-resistant wall or floor with no joints. We coordinate this within the complete bathroom renovation, including the correct corner sealing and ventilation.
Plastering during a full renovation
Plastering is usually one of the last steps before finishing. During a full home renovation the services are tucked away and the substrate is sound, so the plaster can be applied sleekly in one go. This avoids having to chase out or touch up again later.
When lining paper is smarter
On old, crack-prone walls, lining paper is often smarter than plastering fully smooth. The glass-fibre lining bridges hairline cracks, gives an even, paintable wall and is more economical. For a completely smooth, texture-free result, however, smooth plastering remains the best choice.
When decorative plaster is a better fit
Decorative plaster (spachtelputz) suits places where you want a lively texture, robustness and easy maintenance, such as a hallway or stairwell. It hides imperfections and is less prone to damage than sleek, smooth plastering.
Common mistakes
- Plastering onto a poor or unprimed substrate, so it comes away or cracks.
- Painting too soon over still-damp plaster.
- No reinforcement at joints and material transitions, resulting in cracks.
- Choosing paint-ready when wallpaper is going on anyway, or vice versa.
- Scheduling plastering separately instead of building it into the renovation sequence.
Want to know more about the related work? Take a look at kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, window frames, insulation & energy efficiency, home extensions, roof extension or dormer installation. You can also view our projects or get in touch.