How to Texture Walls

Texturing your walls is a good way to create a dramatic look to your interiors. It is less expensive than wallpaper and more exciting than an ordinary paint job. Textured walls are not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also serves to conceal minor structural defects like tapered edges and imperfect taping job.

There are basically two types of textures that are commonly used. One of them is called the orange peel which is also known as "eggshell" or "splatter." The other type of texturing that is popular is called knockdown which is also known as "skip trowel".

In this orange peel texturing method, small splashes of thinned drywall compound are sprayed onto the wall and the end result after drying resembles an outer peel of an orange.

• Powdered wall texture
• Air compressor
• Spray gun
• Hopper
• Hose pipe attachment

• Drape the flooring and furniture with some rags before you start with your project.
• Seal off any exposed part of the ceiling and flooring with blue painter's tape.
• Now mix the powdered wall texture in a big container and make sure that you closely follow the manufacturers instruction manual.

• Let it set for a few hours, and ensure that the mixture is of the right consistency to adhere to the walls and also flow uniformly through the spray pipe.
• Once the mixture is set, stir it one more time and then pour it into the hopper. Now attach the hopper to the spray gun and the hose pipe to the compressor.

• If you are doing this for the first time, then it is a good idea to first test spray it on a piece of paper.
• When you get comfortable with the spraying technique, just spray the walls from left to right using even pressure and wide sweeping motion.

• The kind of texturing, whether fine, medium, or heavy depends upon the size of the spray nozzle tip and its setting.
• Complete spraying all the walls in this way and then let it dry overnight. Apply a primer and paint the walls with the color of your choice.

This texture resembles a Spanish style stucco and it is done by spraying spatters of thinned drywall compound onto the wall. Once it starts to dry, it is smoothed using a drywall knife or trowel to flatten the tops of larger spatters. Here, you need not aim for uniformity and perfection. It has more interest and visual appeal when it is random and uneven.

• Spray gun
• Compressor
• Joint compound
• Hopper
• Knockdown knife

• Make a mixture of the joint compound with water so that the mixture is of the right consistency.
• Pour this mixture inside the hopper and attach the spray nozzle and the compressor.
• Spray the walls with this mixture in a fairly even pattern making sure that you do not miss any spots.

• Allow the compound to dry for around 20 to 25 minutes until it is in a semi-dried state.
• With the help of a knockdown trowel push down the peaks or blobs but do not smear them completely. This will leave a rough texture on the wall.
• Allow it to dry for a day and then you are ready to prime and paint your walls.

Remember that more time is required in painting a textured wall then a plain wall. For first timers it might be a little difficult to learn the technique for texturing walls. But with a bit of practice, you will be able to get even and consistent texture on your walls.