Taping & Finishing Levels

Level 0

Level 0 is used in temporary construction or if final decoration is undetermined. No taping or finishing is required.

Level 1

A Level 1 finish is recommended in areas that would generally be concealed from view or in areas that are not open to public traffic. Joint tape need not be covered with joint compound to fulfill the requirements of Level 1. In Level 1, the surface is left free of excess joint compound. Ridges and tool marks are acceptable for a Level 1 finish.

Level 2

Level 2 may be specified where moisture resistant gypsum board is used as a tile substrate. All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and wiped with a joint knife, leaving a thin coating of joint compound over all joints and interior angles. This differentiates Level 2 from Level 1. Joint compound is applied over all fastener heads and beads. The surface is left free of excess joint compound. Ridges and tool marks are acceptable for a Level 2 finish.

Level 3

In areas to be decorated with a medium or heavy hand and spray applied textures or where heavy-grade wall coverings will become the final decoration, a Level 3 finish is recommended. All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and shall be immediately wiped with a joint knife, leaving a thin coating of joint compound over all joints and interior angles. One additional coat of joint compound shall be applied over all joints and interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with two separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges.

Level 4

If the final decoration is to be a flat paint, light texture or lightweight wall covering, a Level 4 finish is recommended. All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and shall be immediately wiped with a joint knife, leaving a thin coating of joint compound over all joints and interior angles. Two separate coats of joint compound shall be applied over all flat joints, and one separate coat of joint compound shall be applied over interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with three separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges.

Level 5

Level 5 finish is recommended for areas where severe lighting conditions exist and areas that are to receive gloss, semi-gloss, enamel or non-textured flat paints. Level 5 requires all the operations in Level 4. Additionally, a thin skim coat of joint compound, or material manufactured especially for this purpose, is applied to the entire surface.

A skim coat of joint compound is intended to conceal small imperfections in joints and on the surface of the gypsum board to help conceal joints and create the appearance of flatness. A skim coat will also smooth the texture of the paper, minimize differences in surface porosity and create a more uniform surface to which the final decoration can be applied.

The Level 5 finish is required to achieve the highest degree of quality by providing a uniform surface and minimizing the possibility of joint photographing and/or fasteners showing through the final decoration.

The majority of our taping is carried out to a Level 4 and Level 5 standard. Where Levels 3, 4 or 5 have been used, it is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of final paint. This is an important step that should not be forgotten before final decoration. The application of high quality, high solids drywall primer minimizes most decorating problems.

For renovations, we can skim coat old walls to provide a smooth, flat finish, or we can provide veneer plastering.

Texture

Some of the textures that we can apply to your ceilings include:

Stipple
Popcorn
Knockdown
Orange peel
Splatter