Texture gives walls a unique appearance and dimension, making them look engaging and ending the monotonous appearance of your space. Texturing helps hide and cover the flaws of the walls and makes them look aesthetic. Although it may sound like a hectic task, DIY texturing, in most cases, works well.
Several types of wall textures can change the look of your home, cover flaws, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space. They can be a DIY project, although they require some skill, patience, and budget. Make sure to choose the right wall texture for your house. Let's discover different wall textures, how to DIY them, and which option suits your home best.
Here are some of the most popular wall textures to consider before starting a DIY wall texturing project.
Comb Finish for Walls
Comb texture is created by repeating a series of patterns with lines on drywall. Imprinting comb texture on walls is a simple technique. You would require a drywall compound, a roller, and a drywall trowel with equal teeth, drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect floors and furniture, and tape for masking edges and corners. You may also need sandpaper to smooth any imperfections before applying primer.
- Apply the drywall compound to the wall.
- Use the trowel to draw the lines in the drywall.
- Let the texture dry for 24 hours, and apply primer before painting the wall.
It's an easy process but requires patience, skills, and preparation. So, if you like this technique or texture, Prepare the required materials and items and begin with your comb texture wall project.
Popcorn Texture
For popcorn texture, you need an air compressor and a hopper gun. Popcorn wall texture is made with a mix of drywall mud and polystyrene.
Create popcorn texture by following these steps
- To prevent mess and the furniture getting sprayed with the material, you must ensure everything is properly covered.
- Mix the popcorn texture with water and apply the mixture to the wall or ceiling, whichever you want.
- Once the texture dries, you can paint it any color you choose.
Popcorn ceiling texture became popular in the 1970s and is still found in many homes. This is the best technique to hide imperfections and to absorb sound between walls and ceilings. Another advantage of popcorn ceilings is that they can somewhat absorb sound and echo.
Orange Peel Pattern
As its name suggests, it resembles the orange peel's texture. This texture is imprinted by priming the walls before texturing them for a smooth and Clean surface. To begin this project, you need a hopper gun with an adjustable air valve, an air compressor, and a drywall compound.
- Mix the drywall compound with water and adjust the air Valve for a heavier or lighter texture according to your preference.
- Shoot small splatters of compound on a test surface before applying it to your wall.
- Apply the texture onto your walls by shooting heavy or light splatters to create desired texture.
- After the surface dries, prime and paint the walls a color of your choice.
This technique is popular for its subtle texture and ease of application. It's a great option for Hiding wall imperfections and adding an aesthetic appeal to your walls.
Knockdown Finish
Knockdown texture is achieved through a process similar to an orange peel texture. You can prime the walls for good texture adhesion. After that, just apply a joint compound or texture spray with a spray gun or roller, Just like an orange peel texture. The knockdown texture is generally applied in a thick, wet layer. After applying the texture
- Let it set slightly but not entirely.
- When the texture is still wet, use a broad, flat tool such as a trowel or knockdown knife to slowly and gently knock down and flatten the peaks of the texture to create a smooth, subtle pattern.
- Let the walls dry completely, and paint them with your desired color.
The knockdown technique creates a texture with a softer finish and a flattened appearance compared to other textures.
Sand Swirl Pattern
This texture is more subtle than other textures and methods. You use perlite material, a combination of primer and sand, instead of a drywall compound. Perlite is a type of volcanic glass often used with other materials to create a lightweight, textured finish. In wall textures, it's usually mixed with a binder to form a textured material rather than just primer and sand. This mixture can then be applied to walls to achieve various textures, including the sand swirl pattern. The sand swirl pattern provides a subtle and unique appearance that's not too loud in your house and speaks elegance. All you need is a paintbrush and perlite to create this texture.
Start making loops from the top with the paintbrush, with an opening at the bottom.
- Cover the entire wall with the same or similar patterns.
- Dip the brush in the paint for every swirl to ensure an even effect. When the perlite dries, you can paint the wall after priming it.
- Remember to let the walls dry for at least 24 hours.
Slap Brush Texturing
The slap brush texturing method is the best fit for an erratic and eccentric look to the walls. You do not require any spray gun, but a roller, a double crow's foot drywall texture brush/slap brush, and a drywall compound are needed.
Mix the compound with water and apply it evenly to the wall with a roller to create a slap brush texture. Next, cover the brush with some drywall compound and slap the wall sections with the brush. You can create specific patterns by slapping the brush randomly. Once the wall is covered with slap brush texture, let it dry for a day. Prime and paint it after it has completely dried.
Slap Brush Knockdown Texture
Slap brush knockdown texture is achieved similarly to the slap brush texture procedure but with a different technique. This method creates thin lines with peaks instead of random, flat, and wide lines. You need a roller, slap brush, knockdown knife, and drywall compound. After applying the slap Brush, wait for around 10-15 minutes. Use the knockdown knife after the texture has set, but don't let it completely dry before using it. Once you've flattened the peaks to your desired level, you can let the wall dry completely before priming and painting.
What Are the Advantages of Textured Walls?
Textured walls provide dimension and uniqueness to any space. Sleek surfaces are a part of modern interior designs, but texture adds aesthetic appeal to the apace. If you're still looking for reasons to decide whether or not to opt for textured walls, here are some advantages to consider.
Cover Imperfections
Texturing is a great way to conceal wall imperfections and flaws that are difficult to mend. It's a cost-effective way to protect your walls, saving you the hassle and time of repainting them. Texturing also helps minimize noise between rooms, as it absorbs sound to some extent.
Enhance Visual Appeal
Textured walls can enhance the aesthetics of your house, adding personality and interest to your living space. Texturing is a great way to bring out the best in your drywall. You just have to analyze your house and decide on the right textures and colors that complement and blend well with the decorations and other items, making your home welcoming and interesting.
Explore different shades and finishes for your walls to showcase your personal style and taste. This will give your house a more personal touch and make your space more intimate. Incorporate extraordinary styles and finishes to achieve a unique aesthetic customized to your taste.
Serves as a Focal Element
Textured wall accents are an element found in most Modern houses. They provide an elegant look and uplift the aesthetic appeal of your space, providing it with a unique focal point. Textures add depth and interest to any place, complimenting the overall visual quality of the house and making it more interesting and intriguing.
Key Considerations Before Texturing Your Walls
Textured walls are a good option for enhancing your walls, covering flaws, creating your style, or uplifting your house's visual appeal. However, you need to consider certain drawbacks and limitations before starting your DIY wall texturing project. Analyzing your house's walls, aesthetics, décor, and overall vibe would help you understand which wall texture suits the space. However, consider some other factors that might help you decide further.
- The rough elements and aesthetics might not appeal to you, as not everyone likes such aesthetics.
- Even though many modern houses have textured walls that complement and enhance the aesthetics, they can look outdated, and the outcome depends on your planning before texturing your walls.
- If you want textured walls or a certain texture only for a certain time, then it can get expensive to change the walls or texture and switch to a new Texture, aesthetic, or smoother walls.
- The texturing process requires skills, so if you're left with a flaw because the material dries quickly, and if you make mistakes while texturing, fixing them without ruining the patterns is almost impossible.
- Re-doing or building a new wall is expensive and difficult; it requires time, effort, and money. If you're left with a flawed wall, you can either leave it as is or build a new one.
Conclusion
In summary, textured walls can significantly enhance your space, offering a unique aesthetic that may suit your taste and home. However, they may not be ideal for every setting. Before starting a DIY texturing project, consider your preferences and how the texture complements your home's overall aesthetic and color choices. Additionally, be aware of the limitations of textured walls. This article provides comprehensive information on wall textures, including how to apply them and key considerations to help you make an informed decision.
