Media wall plastering: what to know before you start

Media walls have become hugely popular. A recessed electric fire, a TV niche, some shelving and a bit of lighting can transform a room. But the plastering finish is what makes or breaks them. A media wall is all straight lines, flat faces and sharp corners, often lit from above or below, so any wave or wobble is on show. Getting it right starts well before the plasterer arrives.

What should you plan before building a media wall?

Plan ahead for everything that needs to go inside or through the wall before any boards go on. Chasing things in afterwards is a recipe for cracks and patching. Think about:

• Where the TV, soundbar and any other kit will sit, and the cable routes between them
• Sockets, switches and any aerial or data points, fitted by a qualified electrician
• The electric fire, including the manufacturer's clearances and ventilation requirements
• Any flue or ventilation needed if you're fitting a different type of fire
• LED strip channels and shelf lighting
• Timber noggins behind the board where a heavy TV bracket will go

Check the fire's installation manual early. Many need specific gaps around them, vents in the surround and particular materials in certain places. Building the frame to suit afterwards is much harder than getting it right at the start.

Who builds the media wall frame?

Usually a joiner or builder puts up the frame, in timber or metal stud, and the plasterer boards and finishes it. Either way, whoever builds the carcass needs to leave clean, plumb and square surfaces for the plasterer to work to. Plaster can tidy up small imperfections, but it can't fix a frame that's out of square or reveals that aren't parallel. Studs should be spaced to suit the board size, so every board edge lands on something solid and can be fixed properly.

What plasterboard is best for a media wall?

Standard plasterboard, screw-fixed to the frame, is fine for most media walls. Around the fire, follow the manufacturer's guidance, which may specify a particular board or clearance. Heavier TVs need solid fixings, either through to timber noggins or using fixings rated for the load. Where there are shelves or recessed niches, extra framing around the openings keeps edges firm and reduces the risk of cracking later. Angle beads on external corners give straight, crisp edges and protect them from knocks.

How do you get a good finish on a media wall?

The big things to get right are dead-straight reveals on the recesses, sharp 90-degree corners, perfectly flat faces and a finish smooth enough to take paint without bouncing light awkwardly. Sloppy corners and wavy reveals are the giveaways of a rushed job, and they stand out even more once LED lighting is added, because light running across a surface picks out every ripple. Joints should be scrimmed, corners beaded and the faces skimmed consistently, so the finish looks the same across the whole wall.

The inside of recesses and shelf niches takes the most time. Every small box has its own set of corners and edges, and each one needs to be straight and square to its neighbours. That's where experience shows, and where it's worth not rushing.

When can you paint a media wall?

Once plastered, give it the full drying time before painting. For a skim over plasterboard that's usually several days to about a week, and you're waiting for an even pale colour all over. Start with a mist coat, then your top coats. Use a deep matt finish that hides imperfections rather than silk or gloss, which highlights every tiny wave. Darker colours are popular on media walls and look great, but they tend to show flaws more than lighter shades, so the quality of the plastering matters even more.

What are the most common media wall mistakes?

Most problems come from rushing the planning stage. Frames built before the fire has been chosen, sockets in the wrong place once the TV goes up, and cables chased in after plastering all lead to patching that rarely looks as good as the original finish. Ignoring the fire manufacturer's clearances can also cause problems with heat, and may affect any warranty on the fire. Settle the layout, kit and wiring first, then board and plaster once.

Planning a media wall in Leeds or elsewhere in Yorkshire? Talk to Darren before the frame goes up and he can point out anything that will make the plastering easier and the finish sharper. Get in touch for a free quote.