Textured Ceiling Styles

Ceiling textures can be created in many patterns.

There are two basic finish styles for drywall: basic and textured. Textured finishes come in a variety of styles, from light to medium to complex. There are an array of ceiling-texture styles and numerous ways to do ceiling texture to make your home unique. Ceiling texture is created by using joint compound or drywall "mud" and applying it to the ceiling using trowels, drywall knives, combs, sponges, brooms and even your own fingers.

Knock Down

The knock-down texture is applied with a spray gun. Texture is applied randomly and the peaks of the material are "knocked down" to create a pattern. The peaks are knocked down with a clean trowel. The more texture you apply to the ceiling, the more complex the look will be. To achieve the complex look, you must apply a coat of texture and then knock the peaks down. Apply another coat until the desired look is achieved.

Roller

Roller texture is put on just like paint. Put the texture in a paint pan and use a roller to apply it to the ceiling. Paint rollers come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. For a heavy texture look, use a long-nap paint roller. The longer the paint roller nap, the rougher the texture look will be.

Trowel On

The trowel-on texture gives a smooth finish. The texture is applied using a clean smooth trowel and this will give it a plaster look. The finished look will depend on the consistency of the texturing material.

Spray On

The spray-on option gives a variety of looks using a special spray gun. The gun sprays the texture on the ceiling and it dries just like it is sprayed on. The styles can depend on the thickness of the texturing material, air pressure and the size of the spray orifice. Additives can be mixed with the texturing material, such as sand and polystyrene, to make the look different.

Combed

The combed look uses a special trowel with designs on the trowel. Most of the time, the trowel has spaced triangular notches that are used to make spiral patterns in the texture. After the texture is applied, the trowel is used to make designs in the texture, which will give the texture a very formal look.

References

• Life 123: Ceiling Texture