How to Texture Drywall
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Drywall textures are created using several different methods. The most common of these are spray–on finishes like knockdown, orange peel and popcorn. These textures are usually done on new construction by professional crews using special equipment. For instance, popcorn is applied with a hopper that stirs and mixes the finish as it is blown onto the wall or ceiling surface. Knockdown and orange peel are applied in basically the same way with professional grade machines that spray the finish onto large areas. In some cases as with knockdown, a joint knife is used to flatten the texturing material and create the finished effect.
A second type of drywall texture that can be done on a smaller scale is texturing paint. These include sand and stucco paints commonly used to create a textures on ceilings. The coating is applied like paint using a brush and then manipulated to create the texture. Another technique for applying a drywall texture that can be done on large or small areas involves the use of joint compound to create a rough finish rather than the normal smooth finish associated with drywall.
Applying Textured Paint
Texturing paint is applied using a brush to cover a small area at a time. The paint is then combed, rolled or brushed to create a design in the finish. The coating can also be applied with a specially made roller. The roller has nylon loops braided into the surface and as it is rolled back and forth, the loops pull the surface of the coating away to leave random peaks in the finish. It can be difficult to get textured paint to cover with this method so brushing on and then rolling with the loops can be a easier method though more steps are involved.
The textured paint should be applied over primer to ensure a good bond with no flashing in the finish coat. These paints are not meant to cover a bare surface. The paint will resist sticking to the surface and will require a very full roller and repeated back and forth strokes to get good coverage.
Applying Joint Compound Textures
Drywall textures involving joint compound can be done using a number of different tools such as a trowel, a brush or a broom to create a design in the finish. The basic process is the same, apply a coat of joint compound over a wall or ceiling and while it is wet, press a tool into the mud to leave a decorative finish. Ceilings are usually where you'll find a finish like this but walls may also be decorated with texturing.
One common joint compound texturing technique involves the use of a masonry trowel pressed flat against the surface and then pulled straight off to pull peaks in the mud, leaving a stippled appearance. The peaks can be small and delicate or they can be coarse and thick. The thickness of the mud coat will determine the size of the peaks.
A variation of the trowel method involves turning the tool while it is in contact with the surface. Turn the trowel 360° to leave circles in the finish or turn 180° to create semi–circles or arches in the finish. This can be done in an ordered pattern of straight lines or the design may be random across the surface.
Another way to do a joint compound texture involves the use of a nylon broom or brush to slap the wet mud. Use a broom with soft, floppy bristles that will yield when it comes in contact with the surface. Apply mud to the entire surface first and then go over it with the broom.
Also try a large, soft sponge like a sea sponge to create swirls or stippling or a wallpaper brush with short, stiff nylon bristles can be used to comb a texture into the wet mud. This can be done in straight lines or randomly with circles or arches.
Matching Drywall Textures
When it comes to drywall textures there's a hugh number of finishes out there. Because textured finishes are applied using several different techniques and materials, with different tools, the resulting finishes can be hard to match when doing repairs and harder to blend at the edges. The best that can be done in most cases is to simulate the texture over the repaired wall and in some cases, live with an obvious border around the edges.
Matching Spray–On Textures
The hardest textured finishes to match seamlessly are popcorn and orange peel. Because these are specially made coatings, applied using specialized sprayers, they are virtually impossible to simulate exactly for an invisible repair. You can buy small amounts of these finishes in a spray can and use it to apply the texture over the repaired area. Work from the center out and spray lightly at the border to try and blend the new and old texture.
Matching Knockdown Texture
Knockdown texture, while originally applied with a sprayer, is easier to simulate and blend than popcorn and orange peel. Because knockdown texturing is just watered–down ready–mixed joint compound, spattered randomly across the wall, it is much easier to simulate with standard drywall tools.
Mix joint compound with water at about a 10 to 1 ratio. The resulting mud should be thin enough to pour but not so runny that it slides right off a joint knife.
With a small putty knife (about 1½inches wide) spatter the repair area evenly with the wet compound. While the mud is wet, lightly drag a wider joint knife (about 6 inches wide) over the mud spatters to flatten them. You may want to practice this technique on a scrap of drywall or cardboard to match the existing texture before moving to the repair.
Matching Paint Textures
To simulate a paint texture on small wall repairs, use a brush to apply a thick coat of the paint over the whole patch. Then hold a looped, texturing roller by hand and tap the surface of the paint to pull it up in peaks that match the existing finish. Work from the center out to the surrounding texture. If a 9 inch roller is too big to work on small repairs, cut the roller down to a size that will work.
Matching Joint Compound Textures
To recreate an existing joint compound texture, first examine the finish and determine how it was created originally considering the methods described above. Use ready–mixed compound straight from the bucket and practice this method on a piece of scrap drywall or cardboard. Start with about ¼in. coat of mud and vary it as needed to get the right thickness for your finish.
When you're ready, move to the wall or ceiling. Make sure to apply the mud thick enough to saturated the surface. If there are dry spots on the wall, the mud will pull right back off when you try to apply the texture. If necessary, use a spray bottle to mist the surface with water first before applying the mud.
Start from the center of the repair and work out to the surrounding textured finish. Try to blend the new and old finishes together around the perimeter using a light touch to start and work up to complete coverage.