Reimagining your interior space can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming if you’re unsure as to what solutions are viable for your specific situation. For instance, many people want to apply a digital wall covering only to find out that their walls are not suited for this type of application.
If you’re considering customized wall coverings, you will naturally want them to look as good as possible. Part of the outcome hinges on utilizing a high-quality digital wall covering provider, but another element is what drywall finish grade your walls are.
Here is an overview of what drywall finish grade you’ll need to install digital wall coverings to achieve the best results.
What Is Drywall Finish Grading?
Drywall is the paneling that makes up ceilings and walls before adding wallpaper or decorations. Installing drywall is a simple project for someone with experience, but not everyone knows how to finish the drywall to a high level of quality. Thus, some builders will simply add drywall and leave the task at that.
However, drywall will still contain visual defects at this stage, such as fasteners and joints. Applying a wall covering over these elements can result in an uneven surface that still shows evidence of the defects beneath. Thus, skilled builders will complete their drywall projects with finishing, or applying products to conceal the visual and textural deformities of the underlying drywall. This final touch can achieve a smooth, even surface.
Drywall finish grading is a scale of measurement describing how well or how comprehensively the finishing was done. A finish level of 0 indicates a complete lack of finish, whereas level 1 describes some finishing of joints. Level 2 covers screw holes and applies a thin coat of compound over the tape on the joints.
Level 3 finish applies joint compound across the screws and tape for a more even appearance. Level 4 drywall finishing is the most common and spends extra time on sanding to create a smoother finish on the compound. Level 5, which is the highest level, applies a skim coat for a soft, silky texture and perfectly smooth walls.
What Drywall Finish Grade Do You Need for Digital Wall Coverings?
Digital wall coverings will cling directly to a wall, and even heavy or thick products can only adhere as well as the underlying surface allows. Because of this, most digital wall coverings should be applied on drywall that is finished at least to level 4 quality, though level 5 is ideal.
This ensures that smooth contact is available for the entirety of the design, providing a consistent image that is not warped by underlying defects. However, because wall coverings are so customizable, you may consider a textured option. In this case, certain textures can agree with a drywall finish grade of 3, depending on the circumstances. Levels 2, 1, and 0 are not conducive to a high-quality wall covering application.
What to Do If Your Drywall Isn’t the Right Grade
If you want to utilize customized digital wall coverings in your space but do not have drywall finishing of sufficient quality, what happens next? The good news is that finishing drywall is a simple process for a professional who can complete the job any time after the installation of the original drywall.
If your drywall is not the right grade, it is wise to hire an expert to redo the finishing so that it is at least level 4. A professional can typically do this in just a few days for a single room and will allow you to install any type of digital wall covering quickly and easily without underlying defects that mar the visual or textual aspects of the covering.
Plan to allow any new drywall work to set before installing a wall covering. In the case of smooth finishing, the coats will need to dry, which should take about a day between each coat for the best results. You should not install wall coverings on drywall finish that has not completely cured to prevent adhesion issues.
Get Customized Digital Wall Coverings from the Pros
If you are considering wall coverings for your space but are not sure whether your drywall is ready for the task, be sure to consult with the experts.
The professionals at Tree Towns can help you understand your options, from customizing digital wall coverings to align with your vision to planning for installation in your specific space and drywall conditions. Contact Tree Towns to share your goals and explore a wide variety of wall covering solutions.