How To Use A Comb To Texture Your Ceiling and Walls

Here in the UK, we texture a variety of stunning patterns & designs straight onto the ceiling & walls using tools such as fingers, rollers, sponges, rags, brushes, trowels, etc: your only limit is your imagination; but in this article I want to talk about using 'texturing' combs, to create some amazing affects onto your interior surfaces; these are very reasonably priced & now widely available to you thanks to the internet: plus, the methods for applying the texture coating to the desired surface is usually 'rolled on, sometimes brushed on, or even "troweled on' instead of 'sprayed on.'

As you can imagine, the cost for applying texture coating to your ceiling & walls this way makes it possible for the home 'DIY' enthusiast to 'have a go yourself' because all you will need is a bucket to mix the texture powder in, the tool for mixing, (either an attachment to the power drill, or a plastic texture mixing tool that you attach to a wooden handle,) the texture powder, a roller & tray to hold the mixture & of course, the texture comb;

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Some texturing combs consist of a moulded 'all in one' design, (almost resembling that of a plastic tile adhesive spreader, but the serrated 'comb' edge is slightly tighter together/not spaced as wide apart from each other) whereas, the handle, and the serrated (patterning) edge are made from a moulded, plastic material, the usual length of the comb is around 10 inches long (this is ideal for creating designs onto your larger, as well as smaller ceilings & walls;) whilst other texturing combs consist of a wooden handle, with a slit cut through it, whereas a piece, or two, of flexible plastic (containing the serrated patterning edge,) is inserted; Texturing combs, if looked after correctly could serve you a long time, but please be aware, do not wash out the combs in boiling water as this could shrivel up the serrated edges, plus also remember that, after texturing many surfaces, the serrated edge could become quite worn down, thus giving you a thinner, and more undesirable pattern depth;

To pattern the ceiling, first of all, make sure that the surface is correctly sealed and that the room is cool (no central heating on), you must mix enough texture to cover the whole surface area to be textured; secondly, after you decided which pattern/design your going to attempt, stand at the entrance to your desired room and look up to the ceiling, it is quite normal to actually start patterning alongside the wall, running across the narrow width of the ceiling, viewing from the door entrance, (but this depends entirely upon yours, or your customers personal preference.)
So, for instance, let us say that we are going to start our pattern from the door entrance wall, whereas, the pattern (once completed) will run down the (longer & narrower) length of the ceiling.
Stand with your back against the wall (in which you intend to start the pattern) & look up; this is how your going to work the pattern; as you pattern, the pattern is always behind you, and your working away from it/across the narrow width, & down the length of the ceiling; now with your back against the wall, hold your comb in the hand that feels the most comfortable for you to texture with; if you hold the comb in your left hand, slide across the wall, to the far corner of the right side of the room, this is the corner that, once you apply your band of texture, your going to start your comb pattern, & run it the width of that wall/edge, if you use your right hand, you start at the far left corner of the ceiling.

In summary, using your paint roller, roll on a band of texture, around half/three quarter inch thick depth, across the narrowest width of your ceiling, right across, from one wall edge to the other, the band of texture should be around two roller widths wide, pattern this with your comb, then continue this method throughout the whole ceiling, continuing right down the length of the area.
Everything here is fully covered in 'Texture Revival;' to help you more, look out for my articles concerning mixing texture & also surface preparation.

When you attempt any texturing tasks, always practice on a small area first for best results.
Thank you for reading, I hope that this article will help you further with your quest in learning to use combs to texture with.

Dale Ovenstone.

How To Use A Comb To Texture Your Ceiling and Walls

Dale Ovenstone: Creator of 'TEXTURE REVIVAL' unique & amazing, downloadable books & guides for the home 'DIY' enthusiast; so that you can 'have a go yourself'

http://www.lookreadlearn.com

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How to Texture Drywall

Many homeowners enjoy making their own unique and creative improvements to their home. Texturing drywall is a popular decorating choice that adds character and charm to your walls and ceiling. "Texturing" is often done to add a unique fashion design, muffle external noises, or to cover scratches and marks on the wall or ceiling. When you understand the basic steps to texturing drywall, it can be quite an easy and inexpensive project.

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The following lists the steps required to texture drywall:

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1. The first step is to acquire the texture materials and prepare the room. You need to have a big bucket of premixed drywall joint compound, stencils, wide-bladed taping knife, soft-bristled brush, and plastic sheeting. Once you have the materials, you need to clear the room of such items as any appliances, furniture, wall decorations...etc. Anything you cannot remove, cover with plastic sheeting or old sheets. As well, you have to remove any wall paper.

2. The next step is to take your taping knife and dunk it in the bucket of drywall compound. Begin by spreading the material around key areas such as baseboards and corners. Once you have spread the compound on the small and awkward areas, you can start to add a coat of the compound on the walls. The thickness will vary according to personal preference. Thicker spreading will allow for a rougher texture. Most experts recommend approximately 1/8th inch thickness if one does not want the wall or ceiling too thick.

3. It is important not slap on large amounts of compound. You should spread and smooth slow and even until you get use to the process. Drywall compound stays a manageable consistency so you do not have to hurry. Results will be better if you spread the material in small areas. As well, switch between applying the compound and texturing it until the entire wall is covered.

4. The next step is to create the designs. The thought behind texturing drywall is to create random designs. You can use different types of texture tools such as sponges, wallpaper brushes, or a paintbrush. Stencils are used to add pre-made designs. You can also use your fingers to make the designs. Popular designs include popcorn, skiptrowel which resembles Spanish style stucco, and splatter which are small splotches that resemble the orange peel. Paintbrushes can be used to spread the compound in circular patterns, up and down, and side to side. Sponges can be used to make innovative designs.

It is important to be aware that drywall compound will dry into white and brittle material, so you should not rub anything against it. Once the drywall completely dries, you can then paint it the color of your choice. If you are unsure about any step in the process, you can always talk to a representative at a home improvement store. Adding texture and unique designs to your walls can be a rewarding and fun project. Once complete, you can stand back and enjoy your creative work that will be the envy of your friends and neighbors.

How to Texture Drywall

Enrich the beauty in your building's renovation by texturing drywall Toronto. With years of experience in the remodeling business, our painters Toronto will give impeccable quality service to fulfill your stucco, textures, and patterns requirements.

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Learn Drywall Texture Techniques the Fast and Easy Way

When decorating a home, there are many things that can be done to create a unique living space. As far as the walls are concerned, those that are drywalled can easily be turned into a masterpiece through a number of simple methods. Through the use of painting techniques or drywall texturing, the walls within any home can be transformed into something that will look wonderful for many years to come. By learning the different methods for drywall texturing made easy, anyone can beautify the walls within their home.

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While a large number of paint colors can be chosen to decorate a wall, there are also a large number of texturing styles that can be used as well. For the walls that have blemishes, such as taping that shows or floating that was done incorrectly, different texture techniques can easily hide the flaws. There are just a few tools and materials that are needed for the wide variety of texturing styles that can be done, which include sheetrock mud, drywall tools, paint rollers, and drop cloths.

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Taking a look at drywall texturing made easy will reveal that there are large number of different styles that anyone can do in their own home. Some of the more common methods are roller sheetrock texturing, slap brush texturing, Spanish drag wall texture, Venetian plaster texturing, orange-peel texturing, and popcorn texturing. The roller texture can be easily achieved by using a paint roller to roll the mud on the wall. The slap brush texture is done in the same manner, but the mud is stippled or swirled after it is applied by using a stipple brush. The Spanish drag wall texture is easily done by spraying on the texturing and then using a large trowel to drag the texture around the wall. To apply the Venetian plaster look, the mud is applied using a trowel and then glazed to give a marbled appearance. There are a number of different resources found online that will give step by step instructions for creating these different drywall textures.

With many different remodeling projects in the home, there is often a high cost of completion. However, drywall texturing can be as inexpensive as applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls. If you choose to do the texturing yourself, it can be a quick process that is very effective at giving a new look to a room for a very low cost. When you learn the process of drywall texturing made easy, you can provide a new look to the interior your home in a few easy steps.

Learn Drywall Texture Techniques the Fast and Easy Way

Jason Whitney writes about how to learn drywall texture techniques at http://drywalltexturepro.blogspot.com/

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Knock Down Texture - For The Handyman

Knockdown Texture is growing in popularity, not only to the contractor, but also the Homeowner. There are several reasons for the desire of Knockdown Texture, one being the ease in application. Other features of applying Knockdown include the ability of the texture to hide imperfections in the Wall or Ceiling. This Texture saves the contractor the Labor and Material involved in achieving a "Smooth Wall" finish, while offering the Homeowner another option--other than replacing the existing wall because of the imperfections. Knockdown Texture can be sprayed or rolled onto the wall or ceiling, then "knocked down" to resemble a Low visible Stucco, hiding numerous flaws, and giving you a beautifull room. This Texture is easy to apply, takes little investment, and gives your rooms an appearance that few of your friends and neighbors will have---Best of all--You can do it.

What do you need? A Spray Hopper, you can rent one, or if you like--you can purchase one for around 60.00 at any building supply (I know--The contractor down the road said his cost ten times that), your cheap one will last for years and give you the same results (I know--I'm a Contractor and shoot alot of Knockdown--with my 60.00 sprayer). You need MUD ( Drywall Taping Compound), this is what you will be spraying--a 12 foot by 12 foot room will take roughly 2 gallons depending on how heavy you want the texture. A 12 inch Drywall Knife, I know--they sell a special Knockdown Blade (You do not need it). A compressor, the little one you have in the garage or your neighbors, or rent one. A drill with a Bit made for mixing is nice, you are going to be thinning the mixture before you spray.

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Here we go---Fill a clean bucket with compound appr. 4 inches from bottom, add water (Let's start with 4 cups), mix and add water until your mixture is that of a pancake batter, pour into hopper. Your compressor should be set to 25 to 30 p.s.i. Hold the sprayer 2 feet from wall and spray--starting from the top and working your way down, once at the bottom of the wall, shift over and work your way up, and move to the next wall. Make sure as you spray the other walls, that you keep an eye on the texture you have already applied. Once the Top of the texture turns dull--no more shine to it--it is ready to Knockdown--notice I said the TOP of the texture, not the entire texture.

Once the Top of the texture has a dull finish, it is time to finish your masterpiece. Take the 12 inch drywall knife and LIGHTLY drag it across the Texture, do not apply alot of pressure, just a very easy drag will give you the look you are trying to achieve. You will notice that you have thinned out the texture and given it simewhat of a Stucco appearance. Alot of the books written on this suggest knocking the texture down from top to bottom. However I have found that on walls that are far from being Flat, going side to side seems to yield better results.

Clean up is easy---water, even if you got the texture on trim, a simple sponge and warm water will do the trick. Let your texture dry till the next day---you will be amazed at the flaws you have hidden, and the ease at which you applied it. You may even fancy yourself as a Pro. Chances are that anyone seeing the room that you did, will think you hired one

Knock Down Texture - For The Handyman

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How to Apply the Most Popular Drywall Texture Finishes

Just about anyone who owns a home has often considered what they could do to make their home's appearance a little bit better. Whether the change needs to be made to the exterior or the interior, there are many things that might need to be done. As with any home remodeling project, the cost may be more than what is available, but there are a few inexpensive changes that can be made. One of the easiest ways to update the interior of a home is to refresh the walls. This can be done either through applying a fresh coat of paint or through the process of texturing the drywall. A simple texture applied to the walls can give a unique appearance that also works well at hiding any imperfections.

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When the drywall was originally installed, there may have been some taping or mudding that was still apparent even after the walls were painted. These mistakes may be hard to correct, but they can be covered up through one of many drywall texturing techniques. There are a few simple steps that can be used for drywall texturing made easy. In order to get started, it is a good idea to determine exactly what type of style is going to be used in order to obtain the proper tools. Many different styles can be found online, but a few of the more simple styles are the roller method, the knockdown method, and the orange peel method. Some styles are done easily be applying sheetrock mud and then using a number of different tools to change the texture. Other methods require the texturing to be applied through a spraying process, which can be harder to achieve the proper look when doing the project yourself.

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If you have decided to use the roller method or the knockdown method, you will want to have a paint roller on hand, as well as paint brushes, drywall trowels, drywall mud, drop cloths, and paint trays. The mud can be applied to the wall using the roller and the texturing can be done by using any tool you might already own. A stippling technique can be done by using a stippling brush to either swirl the mud on the wall or create another interesting pattern. A trowel can be used to achieve the knockdown method which will turn the wall into a Spanish stucco look. Just about any pattern you like can be achieved by using a different tool to make the wall even more unique. By simply experimenting with the tools you already own, you can create a beautiful textured appearance and a number of different finishes on the walls in any home.

How to Apply the Most Popular Drywall Texture Finishes

Jason Whitney writes about drywall texture finishes at http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips-For-Texturing-Drywall-And-Finishing-Sheetrock

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Enhance Your Walls With Faux Paint, Texture & Artwork

Ready to wake up boring white sheetrock? This article discusses ways to brighten your interior space through a variety of faux painting techniques.

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Faux finis (pronounced "foe") is French for looking or imitating something else. Through use of various techniques, one can create the look of marble, wood, stone etc... over almost any surface. Faux painting is all the rage in homes across the country. Faux options are like artwork for your walls, adding instant warmth, texture and glamour to otherwise boring sheetrock. The most popular of all faux finishes are those that are created with two or more colors (or intensities of color) which help create the illusion of depth.

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There are numerous ways to faux finish your walls using such techniques as:

Antiquing Bellagio Faux Color Rubbing Color Streaking Crackle Dragging Fresco Frottage - Antique effect using paint, glaze and plastic sheets. Luminoso Ragging on / off Sponging on / off Marblizing Metallic Faux Wood Graining Color Washing Texture Color Washing Cloud - Subtle aged effect. Pearlescent Plaster Sandwash Striping Stripling Venetian Plaster Wall Waxing
Spa Look

The "spa look" is another popular faux finish obtained through use of Venetian Plaster with a light faux overlay. The Fresco Wall Finish is another option for aged, light and airy appeal.

Wall Antiquing

Antiquing or "aging" is the faux painting technique that simulates natural wear and tear using paint glazes, crackle glazes, bees wax, paper, hammers, sandpaper, or chains to distress and weather an object, wall,... The aged antiqued effect can be achieved by using a latex or oil color glaze or varnish that looks like an aged, brown, color or by whitewashing and wiping most of the white wash off.

The Aged Crackle Finish is one that can look contrived unless done well. Distressing gives a wall an old-time worn feel, adding dimension and interest to a vintage or rustic interior. Wall waxing creates a soft textured surface can also be created with wax, paint and embossing powder. Antiquing creates homes and businesses with the "Old World" or "Italian Villa" aesthetic.

Hand Painting

Another way to add interest to your walls and ceilings is with Trompe L' Oeil Murals or those of the hand-painted variety.

Wall Texture

Texture your wall with tumbling stones or create the look of leather, bamboo, old world, stone, and plasters to set the mood for your furnishings. You can also achieve the look of stone such as granite, marble, slate or mosaic tile.

Venetian Plaster and plaster paint techniques require painted with a sheen such as eggshell or satin or on lime washed walls. Scrumble glazes in (warm colors like:burnt umber, burnt sienna, raw sienna, and yellow ochre) are applied to create areas of light and dark. This technique gives the Old World or Tuscan feel.

Faux Metallic

You can use paint to create a metallic look of copper, bronze, brushed metal, steel or gold and gold leaf.

No matter which finish you choose for the walls of your home-sweet-home, make sure you create a sample of the design first. The process is expensive if you hire someone to do the work, or if you do it yourself, so you want to make sure it will give the effect you intend before you begin the painting process.

Enhance Your Walls With Faux Paint, Texture & Artwork

Jenna Ryan is a real estate site developer. She supports Keith Dobbs,a ReMax Realtor specializing in McKinney TX Homes and Craig Ranch Home Builders in McKinney, Texas.

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Drywall Texture - A Long Term Investment

Drywall texture is a compound that is rolled, sprayed, or troweled onto the sheetrock after the taping and floating of joints is complete. It is the same material as the joint compound, but thinned down with water and applied to the wall surface. There is a lot of variation in styles of texture, and some are more appropriate for certain styles of homes. Here are seven basic types:

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Skip Trowel - For this style, texture is applied to the walls with a trowel. Trowel marks may be left on the surface to give a rustic, hand crafted look. It is often seen on Tuscan or old world style homes.

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Stamped - The texture may be troweled on first, and then stamped with a tool. The result can be anything - leaves, bird's feet, windmills, etc. Or, a flat brush may be dipped in the texture and stomped on the walls, creating a texture with swirl patterns.

Knock down - Texture is first sprayed on, and allowed to partly dry. Then, a variety of tools may be used to scrape the texture and flatten it down. It is possible to use trowels, sponges, brooms or other tools to scrape or smooth down the texture and create patterns. Monterrey Drag is a type of knock down that imitates an exterior plaster look. In this approach, a thick coating of texture is dragged over with a trowel. This style may be a dust catcher due to the high relief of the mud.

Orange Peel - This is a sprayed texture that leaves a light to heavy splatter on the walls. It resembles the peel of an orange. If done with a fine spray, it can be one of the lightest, least noticeable of the texture styles.

Sand - Sand can added to the texture for a grainy, sandy look. The sandy texture may be sprayed or rolled on. Sand may also be added to paint.

Acoustic - In the 1970's it was common to save the labor cost of floating the ceiling by spraying a heavy texture over the area. This is sometimes referred to as a popcorn ceiling. This style is not in favor today, and frequently homeowners grapple with removal of this heavy texture. This should be done carefully, since some acoustic textures may contain lead or asbestos. Certainly, if these toxic chemical are found, the job should be turned over to professionals. After the texture is removed, the ceiling will need to be re-textured to match the walls.

Smooth - This is a smooth application of texture over the sheetrock wall. It feathers out the sheetrock joints, and creates an even, non-textured wall. This is one of the most expensive and exacting styles. Minor variations will show up as defects, so several stages of sanding and application are needed to create a good job.

Regardless of the wall finish you use, keep in mind that flat paint tends to hide defects and minimize patterns. It gives a matt finish with less emphasis on the wall texture. Reflective paint enhances textures because the light catches the raised surfaces.

Before having wall texture done by professionals, ask to see a sample. The workman's idea of light texture may not be what you had in mind. This is an area where miscommunication often happens. Texture covers a lot of area, and is difficult to remove if you are not happy with the job. Treat it as a long term investment.

Drywall Texture - A Long Term Investment

Roselind Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United in Austin, Texas. Her website - Austin Texas Real Estate - http://www.weloveaustin.com - offers homes for sale, market trends, buyer and seller guides. Let Roselind help you make your move to Austin, Texas. Austin Real Estate Guide

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