The 5 Levels of Wall Texture Explained
Our Austin Architects Review the 5 Levels of Wall Texture Finishes So You Can Make the Right Choice for Your Home
Wall finishes can range from ultra-smooth to heavily textured. While wall texture may seem like a small detail, your selection can completely change your home interior. Plus, there are many other elements to consider when making your selection, such as budget and even lighting. Our Austin architects explain the five levels of wall texture available to help you make the right choice for your home.
Wall Texture/By: DK Studio
What is Wall Texture?
Before you started building your first house or planning your first remodel, you probably didn’t give much thought to the different types of wall textures out there. So, what is wall texture anyway? Builders apply texture to drywall to create a finished look, hiding drywall tape, seams, and any imperfections. There are five different levels of drywall texture, ranging from smooth to rough. In addition, wall texture adds dimension and interest to your interior. These finishes play off of light and shadow and contribute to the overall look of your home. With various texture patterns to choose from, there are many different ways to add style to your walls!
The 5 Different Types of Wall Textures:
Level 5 Wall Texture
Level 5 wall texture is entirely smooth, creating a high-end look fit for any upscale home ranging from traditional to modern style. This wall texture feels more refined and luxurious, and it is also the most expensive option because creating a smooth wall texture requires additional labor and skill. Extra skim coats are applied, and more attention must be placed on floating drywall to ensure every wall is even. Since there is very little texture, there is no room for imperfections to hide!
Examples of Level 5 Wall Texture
Level 5 wall texture is very smooth and is perfect for walls that will be finished in high-gloss paints, ultra-matte paints, or wallpaper.
Level 4 Wall Texture
Similar to Level 5, Level 4 wall texture is an expensive finish that doesn’t leave room to conceal imperfections. However, this level requires fewer skim coats than Level 5 and has a very subtle texture to give a slight hint of light and shadow play.
Examples of Level 4 Wall Texture
Level 4 wall texture is smooth but has a slight variation to create a subtle light and shadow effect. It is perfect for flat paints.
Level 3 Wall Texture
Level 3 wall texture is the most common, durable, and style-neutral option. Because of its affordability and versatile look, builders utilize this texture on everything from Craft Revival to Cottage-style homes. Level 3 has a light but noticeable texture that adds a slight depth to the walls. It hides imperfections well and is easy to paint.
Examples of Level 3 Wall Texture
Orange peel is a popular Level 3 wall texture finish. This finish gets its name because it resembles the skin of an orange, with a subtle texture and tiny dimples. Orange peel texture fits a range of styles, hides imperfections, and can take most paints. However, you should not wallpaper over Level 3 textured walls or any level lower.
Level 2 Wall Texture
While Level 5 through 3 wall textures coordinate with various architectural designs, Level 2 has a more style-specific feel. Level 2 wall texture resembles a rough plaster or stucco and is a better fit for Southwestern or Mission-style homes. This texture has deeper variations, creating more light and shadow play. Since this texture has a rougher feel, it hides more imperfections in the drywall. However, it can be challenging to paint.
Examples of Level 2 Wall Texture
Monterey drag, California drag, and knockdown are all Level 2 wall texture variations. They resemble stucco and are created by brushing on heavy drywall texture and then dragging a tool over the walls while still wet to create a random pattern with varying depths.
Level 1 Wall Texture
Level 1 wall textures feature a range of plaster patterns from swirls to zigzags. These custom wall finishes are not very common and are typically seen in older homes. While heavy textures effectively hide any imperfections in the walls, they can be challenging to paint and next to impossible to repair if damaged.
Examples of Level 1 Wall Texture
Level 1 wall textures include popcorn, sand swirl, comb, and slap brush finishes. These finishes are not often used in newer homes, but they can add interesting depth and character to your walls when utilized or preserved in the proper context.
How to Choose the Right Wall Texture for Your Home
Wall textures hide imperfections in your drywall and add interest to your interior walls. When choosing the right wall finish for your home, you should consider your architectural style, budget, and lighting. You may want contrasting textures on the ceiling and walls or even different textures in different rooms.
Style
First, determine which architectural style is right for you and select a wall texture that coordinates with the desired look of your home. For example, while a Level 3 orange peel texture is style-neutral, a Level 2 Monterey drag finish is better suited for rustic and Mission-style homes.
Budget
Next, factor your budget into your decision. Smoother finishes like Level 5 and 4 are more expensive because they are more labor-intensive. For a Level 5 finish to look good, there can be no imperfections in the drywall because there is very little texture to hide them. Level 3 is an affordable finish that hides imperfections while maintaining a subtle texture.
Lighting
Finally, think about the natural and artificial lighting in the space. Light will create shadows that reveal the wall texture and add depth to your room. For example, downcast light from a wall sconce will dramatize the shadows in a Level 2 knockdown finish. On the other hand, your wall texture will be less noticeable in a bright room flooded with natural light.