If you've ever had a wall patched and could still see exactly where the repair was, you've seen a texture match that didn't work. Texture matching is one of the hardest parts of drywall repair. Here's a plain-language guide to the most common textures and what it takes to match them.
Common Wall and Ceiling Textures
- Orange peel. A fine, slightly bumpy texture sprayed on in small droplets, named for its resemblance to citrus peel. It's common on walls in many Florida homes.
- Knockdown. Joint compound is sprayed on in larger splatters, then partially flattened with a wide knife. The result is a mottled, textured look that hides imperfections well.
- Skip trowel. Applied by hand with a trowel that "skips" across the surface, leaving a random, hand-crafted pattern.
- Smooth. No visible texture. The highest-quality smooth finish is a skim coat over the entire surface, known in the industry as a Level 5 finish.
Why Texture Matches Fail
Two walls with the "same" texture can look very different. Small variables make a big difference:
- The thickness of the joint compound and the size of the spray pattern.
- How long the compound sits before it's knocked down.
- Whether the patch was primed before texturing, which affects how the texture and paint absorb.
- Paint sheen, a flat patch on an eggshell wall will always stand out.
- Lighting, especially low-angle sunlight across a wall or ceiling.
How We Match a Texture
We start by identifying the pattern and studying it in the room's actual lighting. We test the texture before applying it to your wall, feather the edges of the repair into the surrounding surface, and prime the patch so it takes paint the same way as the rest of the wall.
Homeowner tip: keep a labeled can of your wall paint, or write down the brand, color, and sheen. It makes a seamless repair much easier.
Further reading: Gypsum Association, publisher of the industry's recommended levels of gypsum board finish.
Have a question about your own walls or ceilings? We're happy to take a look.
