Drywall ceilings can be given a variety of textures in order to improve their appearance
Sheetrock, more commonly known as drywall, is the material that is used to build the surface area of walls and ceilings in many homes and businesses today. It is available in many different sizes and thicknesses to suit any application and it can be finished in a variety of styles in order to match any décor. Ceilings alone have many options when it comes to texturing and decorating, some of which are just as functional as they are attractive.
Skim Coat
A common type of drywall finish, the skim coat uses joint compound to give the appearance of plaster. Skim coating involves applying only a thin layer of compound and spreading it evenly using a trowel or joint knife, a technique that requires years of practice.
Knockdown
Another common type of ceiling finish is known as knockdown. This involves spraying joint compound onto the ceiling with an acoustical sprayer and knocking down the remaining large pellets with a trowel or joint knife. Glitter can be added to the joint compound before it is blown onto the ceiling for an alternate look.
Popcorn
Seen in many homes built throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the popcorn texture is still used in new homes today. Not only does the popcorn ceiling texture reduce echo in a room, but it can be used to effectively cover up any blemishes or imperfections on your finished ceiling. A popcorn texture is applied to a drywall ceiling via a hopper gun. Several coats will need to be applied, giving your ceiling time to completely dry in between applications. A small amount of glitter can be mixed into your ceiling texture before it is sprayed to achieve an alternate look.
Swirl
The swirl ceiling texture involves using a trowel to spread the joint compound from side-to-side in a swirl motion. Each swirl overlaps the next one, resulting in an attractive ceiling finish. Like other drywall ceiling textures, the mud swirl technique can be used to cover up minor imperfections and blemishes in your drywall ceiling. This technique is applied to a ceiling by spread joint compound, smoothing it with a joint knife, and then using a stiff-bristled brush to create swirls while the joint compound is still wet.
Tray Ceiling
A tray ceiling can be constructed out of a wood frame and drywall in the same manner a normal ceiling is constructed. The only difference is that the center is raised slightly, resulting in what is known as a tray ceiling. This technique gives the illusion of a much more spacious room and can help to increase the value of your home as well. This idea can be combined with another design idea such as the mud swirl or the popcorn ceiling for a dramatic effect.
Tags: joint compound, , joint knife, alternate look, ceiling constructed, ceiling finish