Benefits of texturing drywall and how to do it

Nov 1, 2019
a trowel texturing drywall

Texturing on walls often goes unnoticed until it’s time to make a repair or undergo a renovation. It may seem at first glance like an unnecessary and purely aesthetic feature of your home, but there are several benefits to texturing that you’ll want to consider before you decide to skip this step and go right ahead to painting.

Here is a breakdown of what texturing is, the purpose it serves on the walls in your home, and various different ways to get the job done.

Why should you texture your walls?

Texturing is exactly what it sounds like – a process by which you apply a grained texture to your drywall once it’s hung in order to achieve a more dynamic and appealing appearance. Texturing also serves to hide imperfections in the wall. When the wall is completely smooth, even the tiniest blemish can stick out like a sore thumb.

Texturing saves time on repairs down the road and gives you more control over the look and feel of the rooms in your home.

Different ways to texture

There are numerous different ways to apply texture to a wall. You can do so with drywall compound or with paint, and there are also several different tools and methods you can use to achieve the right look.

Texturing with drywall compound

Texturing with drywall compound – also known as mud – results in somewhat of a stucco look and is relatively easy to perform. You can use a trowel or a drywall knife to apply mud to the wall and then dab it with a sponge to even out the texture.

Skip trowel texture

When using mud to achieve what’s known as a skip trowel texture, a knife is angled during application to create an uneven surface. This method is rather difficult for even an experienced contractor, so you may want to utilize an alternative option known as the knockdown method in which mud is rolled onto about 80 percent of the wall with a sea sponge roller and then lightly smoothed to the higher areas with a knife.

Stomp-knockdown texture

The stomp-knockdown technique is a variation of the skip trowel method in which a brush is repeatedly smacked against a wall covered in mud (before it dries). You can then clean up any unwanted peaks with a knife to get the look you want.

Texturing walls with paint

Textured paints work similarly to drywall compound but are a little less forgiving since they’re more difficult to remove. You’ll need to employ a bit more precision if you decide to go the paint route. You can apply textured paint with a paint roller and brush just as you’d apply paint ordinarily.

Texturing with a machine

You can also use mechanized texture sprayers and guns to save time and apply a more even, uniform texture throughout the wall. While these options are a bit more expensive than going the hand tool route, they make up for much of the time, labor, and room for error inherent in those methods.

Texturing tips

  • Before you start using mud or paint to texture your walls, you should make sure the walls are completely clean and dry.
  • You can use various other tools and materials to apply a compound texture, including rags, tissue paper, and paint rollers.
  • Always let compound texture dry completely before applying paint (may take up to 24 hours). Use a fan to speed up the drying process.

Start your next texturing job at Al’s

Al’s Taping Tools has been providing contractors with the highest quality and most extensive selection of tools, parts, and accessories in the industry since 1985. Our experts are here to help you find easy ways to save time and money on your next project. Shop our products today to give yourself an advantage on any job site.

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