How to Texture Drywall

How to texture drywall is not as complicated as it seems. In fact, in can even be an excellent weekend activity that you can share with your family. Texturing a wall is a form of home improvement that gives your wall a dramatic look and creates a remarkable impact to the over-all aspect of the specific living space. Below are the materials that you need along with the instructions on how to texture drywall.

Step 1 - Purchase of Materials and Tools

From a local hardware store, acquire a big container of premixed drywall compound along with a taping knife that is wide-bladed or a trowel with straight edges. These are the tools that will be needed to apply thin coating of drywall compound mixture to the wall.

Step 2 - Area Preparation for the Texturing

Take out any decor on the walls where work will be done, including switch plates and receptacle covers. Note any pieces of furniture within the area where wall texturing will be worked done and cover them for protection. Cover also the flooring near the work area. If the wall to be textured is covered with wallpaper, this needs to be removed as well prior to the texturing because the high moisture content of the drywall compound will loosen the wallpaper and it would come off eventually.

Step 3 - Application of the Drywall Mixture

When the wall to be textured is cleaned-up and ready, first apply the compound drywall mixture along the base, corners and top of the walls and ceilings. The thickness of the coating would be about 1/8 inch thick unless the preferred texture is rough, then the coating could be done thicker.

Step 4 - Work on Small Sections

Apply the drywall compound in a small area first as a test to determine how to apply the drywall efficiently. After getting your “feel” on how to apply the drywall compound, do the work in small sections. It may be a bit slower but creates a smooth and uniform effect on the finished result.

Step 5 - Varied Ways of Designing the Drywall

Different ways of texturing may be applied on a wet surface like the use of old paintbrushes, wallpaper brushes or even sponges to apply the drywall compound mix. Create various strokes and designs as texturing style on the wet wall. Fingers may also be used to create designs as well as the use of stencils. This is one fun activity for children to do as their creativity will be displayed.

Step 6 - Protection for the Textured Drywall

Apply alternately the application of the drywall compound mix and the texturing of the wall. It is best if you wear a pair of latex gloves when texturing drywall as the compound mixture could cause a certain biting effect on bare hands. Drywall compound will become brittle and powdery when dry. The textured walls will be protected by adding a number of coats of latex paint which will give a way of adding color to the textured walls.