Wall Texturing

Wall texture can effect what wall treatment is used in the home as well as the type of texture used to decorate. The unique part of wall texturing is the charm that is often seen in old mansions or European villas. Wall texture is one of the basic drywall finishes and ranges from light to medium, with both simple and complex textures.

Painting over textured walls can be tricky, but is possible with time and patience. The effect may bring more of the texture to light as paint is added to the already present crevices. When the time comes for the project knowing how to texture a wall is important. Most wall texture patterns require sand be mixed in to get an old plaster look, start with a small amount to see if it is the right effect your are looking for, if so continue with the rest of the mixture. Adding the mixture to a non-primed surface will hold the mix and dry it rather quickly, making the job easier. For this reason though, using this wall texture technique on a ceiling is difficult as it dries too quickly.

Applying skip trowel or knockdown wall texture to the wall before painting may help deaden sound, hide imperfections in the wall and leave a rustic feel to the room, similar to the popular Spanish-style stucco. A unique idea is creating a grass wall texture, using photos and techniques there is the ability to turn a wall into a grassy knoll. To spray a wall texture is often easiest with a sprayer, though only fine or coarse grades of texture can be sprayed with a simple sprayer. For ceilings or large areas it is best to rent a spray with a small air compressor. These spray rigs can be adjusted to spray any size of texture desired.

Just as important as applying wall texture is knowing how to remove it if needed. Using a good sized floor scraper test an area of wall to see how easily the texture will come off. Be aware of the angle of the scraper as it is easy to gouge and damage the wall. Once all the texturing is removed wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove remaining dust.

As with any design idea it is important to know the styles and techniques before beginning to plan the job, it can be simply done with some practice.