Last Updated on January 25, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford
Plain and simple walls do not necessarily mean that they should look uninspired and without texture. With the hype of neutral, flat walls, colors could be more emphasized by sprucing up your walls with texture.
There are a lot of techniques that could give your wall the right type of texture it needs to become more beautiful.
If you intend to do the process of texturing by yourself, you need all the information that you could get about what types of wall textures are there. In this post, we will discuss some of the most popular types of wall textures that you can consider.
15 types of wall textures
You know the orange peel, the popcorn, and the slap brush but there is more to wall textures than these three. Wall textures are important in stylistically concealing wall impurities, cracks, and other imperfections.
If you are looking for other types of wall textures that you can explore for home improvement, here is a rundown that might come in handy.
1. Splatter knockdown
It is more intricate than the other wall texturing types, making it unviable for DIY projects. It follows more skillful processes that must not be skipped. It also involves repeated fine-tuning for the splatter effect to be established.
For this, you need to apply at least two coats of primer before you can spray the splatter material. When the wall texture substance has settled, that is the time that you shape the splatter using a knife.
2. Comb
This is considered the most aesthetically valuable wall texture making it a favorite of interior designers. It creates a more stylish effect for the wall, producing beautiful waves and rainbow lines along the walls.
It is easy to make too. You only need one coating of primer and once it is settled, you can use a fork or fine-lined tool to make multi-angled lines, continuing across the wall.
3. Popcorn
This one is the typical type for ceilings, but you can also try it for your walls. With its thickness, it is functional in lessening noise in concealing unevenness in ceilings and walls. Aside from this, it brings out a 1970s look in your home.
However, through the years, it became less popular because its thickness also was a source of unwanted heat, especially in the living room. Nonetheless, It is easy to apply as it only requires a texture sprayer and a compressor.
4. Slap brush
For this, you will need a panda paw or a stomp brush. This is functional for walls with very visible defects making it a popular wall texture for bathrooms. The slap brush type is achieved by smoothly layering the drywall over the wall surface.
After that, it should be stamped with a stomp brush several times or until you are satisfied with the look. You must note, however, that the slap brush takes 24 hours to dry so that is one downside that you must remember with this texture type.
5. Santa Fe
This is the trendiest wall texture of 2019 according to Home Depot. The Santa Fe is unique for its two-layered drywall with one layer smoother in texture than the other. After applying the wall texture substance, immediately build patterns out of a large drywall knife.
It is only used in patios, balconies, and mudrooms because the pattern can be distracting for a living room. The Santa Fe wall texture is also perfect for contemporary home designs that are majorly into neutral colors.
6. Orange peel
As has been mentioned here, it is the most popular wall texture type of all. It is named as such because it looks like the splatter know, literally, only bumpier on the surface. It is finer and requires a more consistent application compared to the splatter type.
To do this, apply primer on the drywall and then spray the wall texture substance. After it dries, immediately apply two coats of primer again. However, make sure that the wall texture paint is not that hard before spraying it.
7. Skip trowel
If you want wall textured bedrooms, this type is inarguably one of the best choices. The name comes from the two tools that are used to achieve it.
This design is generated by rolling layers of wall texture substance against each other. Adding in wall lights in the bedroom gives a full effect of the hawk and trowel type.
8. Hand-applied
If you are looking for a wall texture type that does heavily involve texturing knives and other tools, you can dirty your hand a little and just apply the substance by hand.
This does not mean that you will not need the tools because you will still need a fine-brush and sprayer to create those ragged lines. Its deliberate uneven look helps in concealing other impurities. It is best for exterior walls, mudrooms, and the garage.
9. Sand swirl
This one is the combination of sand spray and comb technique. For this to happen, you must use a thick bristle brush to make the swirls. It can be rainbow shaped, swirled in a row or in a neat symmetry.
The swirls can be combed before the mud hardens or it can also be swirled like paint. It produces a bumpier texture which makes it good for the home’s exterior walls or in kids’ bedrooms.
However, you must know that the sand swirl is a wall texture type that is not for DIYers. It involves the combination of various texturing techniques, making the process harder to master. Nonetheless, if you get the right technique, expect a more dramatic effect on your walls.
10. Rosebud
This one is a versatile wall texture type but typically, you would find it in the home’s exterior wall where imperfections are more visible.
True to its name, the surface is stomped with rosebud patterns complete with petals and a center bud. The more conventional way, however, is to spray the mixture in a circular pattern over and over.
For this to happen, you must employ the knockdown technique but in a very even pattern. After which gently stomp the surface with a rosebud stamp. If you are not sure as to how steady your hands should be for all the rosebuds to be aligned, practice on old drywall first.
11. Crow’s feet
This one resembles the slap brush texture. It is done by applying wet mud to the drywall. For this, you will need a stiff bristle brush or a paint roller.
Run the brush or roller up and down repeatedly and then twist the pole firmly from left to right. Repeat the process several times until you can create unique patterns.
This type is a little messy to apply so make sure that the furniture and the floors are covered. Applying the muddy substance must also be quick because the mixture is vulnerable to dust settling. It is the best wall texture type for the living room and study rooms.
12. Knockdown
This is one of the easiest wall texture types to apply and perfect for homes with the stucco style. It goes well in kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms. It is messier to apply compared to the orange peel but if you want a contemporary look, this should be a fine touch.
You can achieve this with the same technique as that of the orange peel, but you need to apply the patterns using a drywall knife before the wall texture substance completely dries off. Smoothen the surrounding surface with a trowel for a more knockdown effect.
13. Stomp knockdown
As the term implies, this is a variant of the knockdown type. As such, you can achieve this by doing the same steps that we have previously mentioned.
The only difference is that, instead of a drywall knife, you need to use a paint roller and a stomp brush to get the design. And the mud is directly applied to the drywall. For knockdown types, compound mud is the most versatile material to use.
14. Venetian plaster
This is one of the oldest texturing techniques in history and the outcome looks like raw concrete. The drywall finish used in this type of texturing would be marble dust combined with compound mud or putty. The plaster mixture is then applied thinly on the walls.
After which, the surface is buffed and sanded to attain its polished look. Since it requires a second coating of the plaster, make sure that the surface is dry enough. Usually, it takes 5-6 hours before it could dry enough to be coated again.
15. Spray sand
This very much resembles the orange peel, but it is applied using a different method and using a different compound mixture. The mixture is composed of primer, water, and a bag of sand. It is left overnight before it is applied to the wall.
Before you apply it the next day, make sure that you have stirred the mixture well for the sand not to settle. You can count on this wall texture to last very long and a surface that will not crack. The spray sand is very beautiful for stuccos and will look right for any type of room in the home.
Wall textures – FAQs
It is not enough that you know the wall texture choices that you can consider. It is also important that you understand why walls need to be textured, the cost of texturing one, and what textured walls mean in the first place. For these, here are some FAQs about wall texturing that you should know.
What is wall texture?
A wall texture is thinner than drywall but thicker than paint. This substance is usually used with walls and ceilings creating dynamics through small shadows and bumps.
Wall textures still need primers before they are applied. The most popular and easy to apply wall texture is the orange peel but through the years, more and more types have emerged.
How much does it cost to have walls textured?
There are three considerations that will project how much you should expect for the wall texture budget. The first one is the existing condition of the walls. The second one is the size of the room and the third is your choice of texturing technique. Wall texturing costs from $1-3 per square foot.
What is the point of textured walls?
Textured walls are more typical for home exteriors but today, it would not hurt to have interior textured walls especially that there are a lot of types now.
Wall textures are a perfect choice to conceal drywall seams, dents, cracks, and other wall imperfections. Aside from this, it helps in adding a wall finish that reflects light, adding more angles and dynamics to any room.
The color palette and general pigment of wall texturing compounds are also significantly different from wall paints. This is the reason why wall textures have a different tonal effect, especially for neutral colors.
As such, wall textures have become staple options for home renovations and other construction projects. And since some types can be done DIY, you can just work on an idea and let it pop out.
Does drywall need texture?
It depends. Basements and garages can stand smooth drywall since they are not high-traffic areas so the dents and cracks can stay where they are. But if we are talking about living rooms, the kitchen, and even the bedroom, textured drywall is one of the best options aside from wallpaper, faux finishing, or plain paint.Â
Related: Alternatives to drywall
Why are walls in California textured?
Textured walls were popular in the US in the 1970s. But because of 10-year research establishing sanding of drywalls in temperate climates such as California, exposing that it significantly adds to the air pollution rate of an area as well as one risk factor for cancer, it became prohibited.
As such, the state of California instated wall texturing as a cost-efficient way to cover up drywall without having to sand or smoothen it.
Conclusion
To conclude, wall texturing is a good investment for home improvement. Aside from sprucing up flat drywall, it is also functional in covering up dents, cracks, and unwanted wall impurities.
With the different types of wall texture, you can explore and apply one or two in more than one space in the home. And since it is not the same with wall paints, expect a different effect from wall textures for the home’s walls.
And although not in the same amount as a patio, decks, and trims, it still has an impact on the home’s real estate value especially if the textured walls are maintained through the years. With all things considered, a wall texture is a good call.
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