There are six levels of drywall finish, numbered 0 to 5, plus a range of textures. Level 4 is the standard for most living spaces with flat or eggshell paint. Level 5 adds a full skim coat for glossy paint and harsh light. Orange peel and knockdown are common textures that hide minor flaws.
Skim coating walls typically costs about $1 to $3 per square foot in most Charlotte homes, depending on the condition of the wall and the level of finish needed.
The types of drywall finishes are a set of standard levels, not a matter of taste. The finish levels were set out by the Gypsum Association in its GA-214 standard, and they describe exactly how much joint compound and sanding a wall gets. Choosing the right drywall finish matters, because the same wall can look perfect under flat paint and lumpy under a glossy one, depending on how much drywall finish work went into it.
This guide walks through each drywall finish level and the two common textures, with the typical use and a cost note for each, so you can match the drywall finish to the paint and the light in each room. It is different from our guide on when to repair drywall vs replace it, which covers damage, and our popcorn ceiling removal guide, which covers ceilings.
Levels 0 to 2 are the lowest finishes. Level 0 is bare drywall with no tape or compound. Level 1 has tape set in compound at the joints. Level 2 adds one coat of compound over the tape and screw heads. These levels are used where appearance does not matter.
Level 1 is common above ceilings and in hidden areas where fire taping is required. Level 2 suits garages, storage rooms and areas where tile will cover the wall, because tile needs a flat, solid surface rather than a smooth one. These are the least expensive finishes.
Level 3 adds a second coat of compound over the joints and fasteners, but the wall is not smooth enough for a flat paint finish. It is meant to be covered by a heavy texture that hides minor flaws, rather than painted smooth.
Level 3 is a good choice for walls that will get a heavy knockdown or similar texture, because the texture does the job of hiding the joints. It costs less than Level 4, since it needs one fewer coat of compound and less sanding.
Level 4 adds a third coat over the joints and fasteners, sanded smooth. It is the standard finish for most living spaces, and it works well under flat and eggshell paint and under light textures. This is the finish most Charlotte homes have in their main rooms.
Level 4 is a good balance of cost and appearance. It is not suitable for glossy paint or walls with strong side lighting, where small joint ridges and sanding marks show up. For those conditions, Level 5 is the better choice.
Board hung and ready to finish. Choosing between types of drywall finishes starts at this stage.
Level 5 adds a thin skim coat of compound over the entire wall surface, not just the joints, then sanded smooth. It creates a uniform surface that hides differences between the paper face and the compound, so paint looks even under any light.
Level 5 is recommended for glossy or semi-gloss paint, dark colors, and walls or ceilings hit by low-angle light from large windows or recessed fixtures. It is the most expensive finish, since the skim coat covers the whole wall and takes extra labor.
Orange peel is a fine, even spatter texture that looks like the skin of an orange. It is sprayed on over a Level 3 or Level 4 finish, and it hides small flaws while adding a subtle texture that is easy to paint and clean.
Orange peel is one of the most common textures in newer Charlotte homes. It is easier to repair than a smooth Level 5 wall, but matching an existing orange peel texture takes practice, since the size of the spatter and the thickness of the mix both affect the result.
Knockdown is a heavier spatter that is flattened with a trowel shortly after it is sprayed, giving a subtle, stucco-like look with flat spots and raised edges. It hides more flaws than orange peel and suits walls and ceilings where a smooth finish is not needed.
Knockdown vs orange peel is a common choice after removing popcorn ceilings. Knockdown looks more handmade and hides more, while orange peel is finer and more modern. Both are easier to live with than a smooth wall that shows every dent.
| Finish | Typical use | Cost note |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 to 2 | Garages, storage, under tile, above ceilings | Lowest cost |
| Level 3 | Walls getting a heavy texture | Less than Level 4 |
| Level 4 | Most living spaces, flat or eggshell paint | Standard cost |
| Level 5 | Glossy paint, dark colors, low-angle light | Highest, full skim coat |
| Orange peel | Newer homes, easy to paint and clean | Adds a modest amount |
| Knockdown | Walls and ceilings, hides more flaws | Adds a modest amount |
The cost to skim coat walls typically runs about $1 to $3 per square foot in most Charlotte homes. The low end is for walls in good condition that need a single thin coat. The high end is for walls with damage, old wallpaper residue, or texture that needs to be smoothed out first.
Skim coating is also the fix after wallpaper removal damages the paper face, and after texture or popcorn removal. Our texture and wallpaper removal and popcorn ceiling removal services include skim coating as part of the job.
Finished drywall ready for paint. Of the types of drywall finishes, Level 4 is the standard for most walls.
Drywall texture repair in Charlotte is often harder than the repair itself, because a patch has to match the surrounding texture to disappear. A crew that does it regularly will match the spatter size and pattern and feather it into the existing wall.
Drywall crack repair usually means cutting out loose compound, retaping the joint and finishing it to match. Cracks that keep coming back can point to movement in the framing, which should be checked before repair. Our drywall repair service covers cracks, patches, texture matching and drywall installation in Charlotte, and our interior painting crew finishes the job. In older homes, sanding painted surfaces can raise lead dust, which the EPA's lead-safe renovation guidance explains.
If you are in east Charlotte, our east Charlotte painting and drywall repair page covers the area. See finished interiors on our work page, or get a free quote.