The 6 Levels of Drywall Finishes

Workers in every industry have a specific set of guidelines to follow to ensure their jobs are completed properly and efficiently. Teachers have lesson plans and annual reviews; restaurant workers have health, safety and service guidelines; medical professionals have a carefully planned set of steps to take in each emergency or procedure. In just the same way, drywall repair professionals in Orlando have a set of standards for how they finish drywall.

Though you probably won’t be working on any home construction projects in the near future, it’s important that you get to know a little more about these finishes so you understand what improvements are needed and can be made in your own home. To help you figure this out, we’re breaking down the 6 levels (0 through 5) of drywall finishes:

• Level 0: This level is free of tape and finish. You shouldn’t see this in your home unless you’ve just had a wall replaced and are waiting to determine what type of finish you want. Before you go any further, you’ll want to make sure your drywall boards are safely and completely secured with the correct tape and fasteners.
• Level 1: Level 1 finish does have joint tape, but that’s about the extent of the upgrades. This level is generally used in areas without much traffic or areas that won’t be seen by many people, as it is mainly just raw material.
• Level 2: This level is a step up from level 1, but is still used in areas that aren’t viewed frequently or that don’t need much attention to appearance. Great for workshops and garages, level 2 finish uses joint compound over tape to keep it secure.
• Level 3: The experts recommend level 3 finish for walls that will go on to have medium or heavy texturing, or will have heavy wall coverings. By wiping away excess joint compound and applying a double coat over fasteners, the pros make sure your walls are smooth and clean enough to accept texture.
• Level 4: Level 4 texture is ready to be covered by flat paint or light texturing, making it ideal for a smooth ceiling. In additions to the smoothing done in level 3, drywall professionals make sure to smooth out corners and edges, as well.
• Level 5: The ultimate level is for walls that are always under scrutiny. This finish is best for walls that will have a good deal of lighting, as well as those that will have glossy or semi-gloss paints. The surface of the drywall is made as uniform as possible so that joints won’t photograph and fasteners don’t show through.

With this knowledge of the levels of drywall finish, you can better understand your drywall team’s process as they repair and reconstruct your walls. Based on what they’ve completed, they’ll be able to recommend the best finish and paint for the final product. To book your free consultation for drywall repair in Orlando, call New Ceilings at (407) 378-6040 today.