Coving & Cornice Installation in Exeter

Expert coving and decorative cornice installation throughout Exeter and East Devon. Traditional and modern styles.

What Is Coving and Cornice?

Coving is the curved or angled trim installed where walls meet ceilings. It covers the join and adds a decorative finish to a room. The terms "coving" and "cornice" are often used interchangeably, though traditionally cornice refers to more ornate, detailed mouldings.

Coving serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. It hides cracks that often appear at the wall-ceiling junction, makes rooms feel taller, and adds character to plain modern interiors or period properties.

Types of Coving We Install

Gyproc Coving (Plaster of Paris)

This is the most common type of coving in modern UK homes. It's made from plaster of Paris, lightweight, and available in several profiles from simple curves to more detailed designs. Gyproc coving is fixed with adhesive and finished with filler at the joints.

Best for: Modern properties, simple clean lines, budget-conscious projects

Cost: £8-12/metre + VAT

Polystyrene Coving

Lightweight and very easy to cut and fit. Polystyrene coving is the cheapest option and can be painted once installed. However, it lacks the quality feel of plaster and can look less refined close up.

Best for: Rental properties, tight budgets

Cost: £5-8/metre + VAT

Decorative Plaster Coving

More ornate designs with detailed patterns and deeper profiles. These suit period properties or rooms where you want a more traditional look. Available in Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian styles.

Best for: Period properties, feature rooms, matching existing coving

Cost: £12-18/metre + VAT

Bespoke Period Cornice

For listed buildings or high-end restoration projects, we can source or create bespoke cornice to match original features. This involves making moulds from existing sections and running the cornice on-site.

Best for: Listed buildings, heritage restoration

Cost: £20-35/metre + VAT (or by quotation for complex profiles)

The Coving Installation Process

Here's what happens when you book coving installation:

1. Free quote: We measure the room perimeter and discuss style preferences
2. Material selection: Choose from our sample range or match existing coving
3. Preparation: We ensure walls and ceilings are clean and sound
4. Cutting: Accurate mitring at corners and cutting to length
5. Fixing: Adhesive applied and coving pressed firmly into position
6. Jointing: Joints filled and smoothed for an invisible finish
7. Finishing: Any gaps at the edges filled and sanded

Installation typically takes half a day for a standard room. The adhesive sets within a few hours, and you can paint the coving the next day.

Coving Repairs and Replacement

We also repair or replace damaged coving. Common issues include:

• Cracks appearing along the length or at joints
• Sections that have come loose from the wall or ceiling
• Water damage from leaks above
• Missing sections where alterations have been made

In many cases, we can repair coving without replacing entire runs. We fill cracks, re-fix loose sections, and patch damaged areas to blend with the existing profile.

Choosing the Right Coving Style

The coving should suit the property's age and the room's purpose:

For modern homes: Simple, clean-lined Gyproc profiles work best. Avoid overly ornate styles that clash with modern architecture.

For Victorian or Edwardian properties: Choose decorative plaster coving with period-appropriate detail. We can match existing coving in other rooms.

For Georgian properties: More restrained classical profiles, often deeper and with egg-and-dart or dentil patterns.

For rentals or quick refreshes: Gyproc or polystyrene coving provides good impact for the cost.

Coving and Lighting

Coving can be used to conceal LED strip lighting, creating indirect "cove lighting" that washes the ceiling with light. This requires installing a deeper coving profile with a gap behind for the LED strip. We can advise on suitable profiles and help plan the electrical work (electrician required separately).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does coving cost per room?

A typical living room with a 12-metre perimeter costs £150-300 + VAT for Gyproc coving, including materials and fitting. Larger rooms or ornate period cornice cost more. We measure and quote before starting work.

Can you match existing coving?

Yes. Bring us a photo or a small sample, and we'll match the profile. Most standard profiles are readily available. For unusual period cornice, we can cast bespoke sections to match.

How long does coving installation take?

A standard rectangular room takes 2-4 hours. Complex room shapes with multiple corners or very high ceilings take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeframe in the quote.

Should I install coving before or after decorating?

Ideally before. Coving is easier to paint in place, and any filling work at the edges can be touched up during decorating. However, we can retrofit coving to already-decorated rooms with minimal mess.