
Level 3 // This stage indicates a solid coat of joint compound has been installed to the tape and screws. Many tract homes receive this level in the garage. If you’re planning to tile, it’s fine to stop at this level. Level 2 // This level means that you have skim coated a thin layer of joint compound over the tape and covered the drywall screws. Level 1 // Level one means that the joint tape has been installed and mudded, but nothing else has been completed. At this level, the sheetrock is just hanging on the wall or ceiling, with nothing done to it. Level 0 // This means there is no finishing that has been completed. Half of the sheet rock in the room is new and the other half is existing, so my goal was to skim coat everything to match, resulting in a level 5 finish.įirst up… let’s chat about the finishing levels, which also kind of translates to the phases if you’re going for that smooth look. In our case, the existing drywall in Sarah’s office wasn’t in great shape and had both texture, wallpaper removal lines as well as a two inch wide stripe around the room from removing the chair railing. When is skim coating handy or necessary? If you’re trying to smooth existing drywall, cover wallpaper texture, or are repairing drywall skim coating is your best bet.
Click through for some helpful tips, finishing vocab (to pass along to your contractor, if you’re using one), and some tricks for achieving quality craftsmanship. I thought it would be helpful to share some visuals and tips for achieving that super smooth finish with a quick skim coating tutorial.
That’s always her preference, if possible. I’ve been plugging away on our home office renovation and of course- the designer (aka my wife) requested a level 5 drywall finish… which basically means she wants perfectly smooth walls. Hi friends, Emmett here! Sarah mentioned she gets a lot of questions about drywall finishing, the texture of the walls in our home, and how to achieve those perfectly smooth walls.