Last Updated on December 7, 2021 by
Let’s discuss wall texture for a second. There are lots of different methods to finish drywall, and I’ve studied every one of them. When we were renovating The Merc I was set (or at least I thought) to have perfectly smooth and walls with a textured finish. (As you’ll know, I’m working to make the Merc as accurate to the time period as is possible.) When it was built in 1928 was constructed, they made use of plaster walls that had a minimal texture.
The issue with the uncompromisingly smooth texture of drywall? There are a few issues.
Smooth Drywall Texture Roadblocks
- The cost.Although I didn’t receive an official bid the estimate of my contractor was that it would cost about 3-4 times the cost of the normal job to achieve a smooth finish. (I’m super jealous of you all east coasters who get smooth walls as standard.)
- Imperfections Still Show, Just Not as Much.Let me help you with this. Imagine your postpartum body in a tight and tight-fitting dress. I know know that I am not alone in this. Smooth texture is similar to wearing spanx. It’s true that it’s helpful and you might have smoothed the texture however the shape of the wall won’t alter all that significantly. Smooth textured walls should the walls exhibit any kind of bulge or wave from the framing (which is likely to happen as boards don’t always have straight lines) it will remain present.
Wall Texture Types
There are lots of various types of drywall textures and, as I found out from the comments on this post on the internet, they’re extremely local. Be aware that they vary from extremely subtle to severe however the basic idea for each one is the same.
Below are the top popular:
- Orange Peel
- Knockdown
- Smooth
- Swirl
- Old World
Through my research, I discovered an option to have smooth walls using the form of a texture called Old World. which made me believe that we could get an ideal blend of the two.
A quick search on Google images will reveal a wide variety of images of what Old World texture looks like and thankfully none are like mine.
The most important thing is your drywall contractor is aware of what you are looking for. Our finisher understood that I wanted my walls to be almost seamless, so they did a few tests to see what options I had for finishing. I picked the one that had the most minimal variation, and they began work.
The texture was applied to the ceiling and walls You can see in the following image where the mud appears more brittle (because it has dried) and that the texture is evident, however, it isn’t everywhere.
(The huge color difference can be explained by the fact that the mud is still damp, and when it is dry it’s difficult to discern in photographs.)
Are there tiny places where the drywall peeks out? This is the place where it’s where the Old World style kicks in.
Trick for a Smoother Appearing Drywall Texture
Another factor that determines the appearance of the walls is the shine of the paint that you’re employing. The more sheen you have the brighter the shadows appear, which makes the texture visible. It’s interesting, isn’t it?
We have used my favorite Sherwin Williams Emerald Matte for all the walls, so the texture visible is diminished. The key thing to remember when choosing low sheen paint is to ensure that it is of high-quality, usually times, the less sheen, the more difficult it to scrub however, Emerald is the most desirable for both. The most suitable paint for your needs is crucial! Find my tips here!!
The curious minds would like to know what kind of texture are you using in your home? How do you feel about it?
Cost of texture ceiling
The cost of texture for ceilings is around $1-$2 for each square inch. Texturing a ceiling of drywall can cost between $130 and $440 in the average of rooms like a living room or bedroom according to the texture type, the application technique, and ceiling size.
Cost of spraying popcorn ceiling
Spraying popcorn ceilings costs $1.00 up to $1.60 for each square foot. Ceilings with popcorn are also known as Acoustic ceilings. They offer noise-reducing advantages.
Knockdown ceiling texture cost
A ceiling with a knockdown texture costs $1.00 up to $2.50 in square feetor $500-$1,250 to cover 500 square feet. The knockdown style is by far the most well-known texture for drywall and is sometimes referred to as California knockdown or Splatter drag.
Cost of texture walls
The cost for texture walls ranges from $0.80 up to $1.80 for each sq ft or between $280 and $800 for a standard bedroom. Texturing a wall in a bedroom costs around $70-$200. Wall texture costs vary based on the wall’s height and texture type, coating thickness as well as the method of application.
Cost of texture for ceilings and walls.
The cost of textured ceilings and walls is between $450 and $1,000 for bedrooms, and $600-$1,400 in a living space.
Costs to smooth texture walls
Smoothing walls with texture costs between $1 and $3 for every square foot on average. The price to smooth wall texture is contingent on whether the original textures are removed and covered with the use of a skim coat.
- The wall texture which has not been painted is sprayed with water to soften it, then removed until it is smooth.
- The texture of a wall that is painted can be smoothed with the drywall compound. Smoothing more difficult textures could require multiple layers of skim coat.
Cost of tape and texture of drywall
Drywall installations cost $1.50 between $3.50 for each square foot that includes the materials and labor required to hang tape, finish and finish the drywall. The typical cost of apply mud and tape to drywall ranges from $0.35 up to $1.10 for each square foot and does not include the sanding or finishing.
Drywall must be finished with a Level 3 prior to the application of a texture. Finishes of Level 4 could be required under thin or lighter textures.
Cost of retexturing ceilings and walls
The price to retexture ceilings or walls can range from $1.80 up to $3.80 for each square foot which includes removing the texture that was previously used and replacing it with the new texture.
Retexturing ceilings and walls can be:
- Drywall costs range from $0.50 or $0.80 for materials such as drywall that is new and the seam-tape, screws as well as outside corner beads along with topping cement.
- The removal of a popcorn ceiling costs between $1 and $2 for each square foot.
- Drywall repairs cost between $100 and $400 for patching cracks, holes or water damage that is minor.
- Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot. The damage could be extensive enough to require new drywall.
- Ceiling repairs cost 200-$500 to fix minor issues, or $400-$1,200 for major repairs.
- Interior painting is $1-$3 to $3 per square foot of area. Walls that are freshly textured will require primer prior to painting.
- Asbestos testing costs $250 to $750. Examine your drywall’s asbestos content prior to scraping or sanding walls , or ceilings in homes constructed prior to 1986.
Cost of texture paint
Texture paint prices range from $0.10 up to $0.30 in square feet for the paint alone depending on the type of paint and thickness of the application.
Cost of coatings on texture varies by the type
Cost of texture coatings is contingent on the type of coating and method of application. Textures that are sprayed, such as knockdown and orange peels cost $0.80 up to $1.50 for every square foot that including the cost of labor and materials. The cost of hand-applied texture is $1.50 up to $2.00 for each sq ft as well as require greater expertise, knowledge, and time.
Spray texture for drywall
Spray textures can be applied by pumps that use compressed air to push the drywall mud into an sprayer. The pattern is determined by the nozzle as well as the type of sprayer.
- Knockdown/splatter drag made by spraying a splatter pattern and using a knife to smooth out the tops
- The orange peel – an extremely dimpled surface which resembles the skin of an orange
- Popcorn or acoustic – a knobby smooth surface that absorbs the sound
Textures applied by hand
Hand textures are more flexible and are applied using an instrument such as a knife, trowel, or brush. Certain hand textures require sprayers to apply an underlying layer of drywall mud prior to other tools being used to design patterns.
- Skim trowel – put on an even layer using the trowel or knife that is held at an angle to form an elevated layer that has random curves
- Trowel and Hawk is a multi-layered pattern that looks like curvatures or waves
- Santa Fe – low-profile texture that looks like an adobe-like surface
- Stomp or slap brushes is applied by pressing a large circular brush against the surface, then pulling it back with a sharp force
- “Crows feet” is a stomping brush texture that is applied using two brushes positioned side-by-side
- Rosebud A Stomp brush texture which is applied in a pattern uniformly using small circular brushes
- Swirl made using an extremely thick or medium bristled brush that is swept around in circles or arches
- Comb Comb used with a trowel that is toothed or comb, to create grooves in half- or arced forms.
