What roller to use for roll-on texture?

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Texturing walls with a roller is a DIY project that anyone can do, with a little patience and practice.

Why would you want to texture your walls? For me, it was prompted by wallpaper removal.

My master bathroom was covered in wallpaper, courtesy of the builder. Fast forward 25 years and the wallpaper was dated and damaged. I also have wallpaper in my kitchen, which will need to be removed before we remodel it, and in the powder room. I might leave the wallpaper in the powder room because I don’t want to deal with it. Plus, I still like the pattern, which is old-fashioned but doesn’t scream ’90s.

In one of the most popular posts on my blog, I tested several methods of wallpaper removal. If you’ve got wallpaper removal in your future, you’re gonna wanna check it out.

The walls behind the wallpaper have no texture or paint, just old primer or sizing that is flaking off. In some places, the corners were not properly mudded and taped because wallpaper covers a multitude of sins. In other places, there were cracks where the wall met the ceiling, holes, or torn wallboard paper. So I had to make some repairs.

Most of my walls are painted and have an orange peel texture, which is achieved with a sprayer and involves taping off everything else in the area. Because we were doing our bathroom in little chunks of time, mostly on the weekends, I wanted to texture and paint the area behind the new vanities before I textured and painted other parts of the room, plus the water closet.

Texturing walls with a roller is easier for a DIYer than spraying texture. I knew I couldn’t exactly match the orange peel texture with a roller, but I got something that’s fairly close. The process is rather tedious and produces a lot of drywall dust, but it’s not difficult.

Texturing walls with a roller

Here are the basic steps to texturing walls with a roller.

1. Repair major flaws in the wall.
2. Prime the wall and allow to dry.
3. Mix drywall compound with small amounts of water.
4. Roll on texture with a thick nap roller.
5. Once the wall is dry, sand lightly to achieve desired texture. Remove excess dust.
6. Prime and paint wall.

Now for the details.

Tools needed: 

• drywall compound
• putty knife for mixing, taping knife to smooth large areas, corner trowel for corner repairs, if needed
• mud tray for major repairs
• repair tape, patches, paper tape for big repairs
• sandpaper in medium and fine grits for repairs
• sponge drywall sanding block
• roller for semi-rough walls; 1/2-inch knap works well
• paint tray
• paint brush
• primer
• paint
• painter’s tape for woodwork

First, you want to repair any major flaws in the wall. We’re talking holes, gouges, cracks, etc. You can use the same drywall compound you have for the texturing.

I bought pre-mixed drywall compound (also called drywall mud) in gallon buckets for my project. Use repair tape or hole repair patches, if you have holes from old towel bars, for instance. You can use paintable caulk for small cracks in corners or along the ceiling.

For larger corner and ceiling cracks, get creased paper tape that you apply with that same drywall compound. A layer of drywall mud goes in the corner. Smooth it out with a handy corner trowel. Crease the tape before placing it in the joint compound, again using your corner trowel. Then apply another coat of drywall compound over the tape, feathering out the edges beyond the tape.

Here’s a great video to show this technique with a corner trowel.

After the repairs dry, sand to smooth any bumps, rough edges, or transitions from the patch to the wall.

Once you have all the major flaws repaired, you’re ready to prime the wall. Don’t worry about small flaws. You can take care of that with the joint compound.

I used Kilz multi-surface water-based primer.

When the primer dries, you’re ready to get your texture on!

Use a thick-napped roller made for rough or semi-rough walls, like 1/2-inch. Place joint compound in your roller tray and gradually mix in a little water. You’re going for a texture like mayonnaise or thick pancake batter. I used a 3-inch putty knife for mixing. Take your time so all the water is incorporated and the compound is smooth.

Get your roller a little damp before loading it with mud. You can use a full-size roller for large spaces and a 4-inch or 6-inch roller in smaller areas. Go with long, even rolls. Feel free to go over the area a few times to get the texture you want.

The more compound you use on the walls, the heavier the texture. I was going for a pretty light touch, but I still needed a lot of mud.

Be prepared to use a lot of drywall compound. I went through about two gallons in my 100-square-foot master bath.

I tried to do the knockdown texture, but I found it too difficult to achieve a uniform result. If you want to try it, I’d suggest rolling on say 20 square feet of mud, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then using a knockdown knife. Lightly drag the knockdown knife, which has a plastic or foam blade, down the wall.

I practiced on the area behind the bathroom vanities to refine my technique. You could practice on a scrap of primed plywood or foam core board.

I found it easier to let the mud dry completely, then go back and sand lightly until I had the look I wanted. This produces a lot of drywall dust, so wear a mask and close the door to adjoining rooms. Have your vacuum, broom and dusting cloths handy.

Once I finished sanding my wall and removing the drywall dust, I primed again. Then I painted the wall after the primer dried.

What to do if you have problem areas?

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. When an area doesn’t have the look you want, once it’s dry and sanded, just apply another coat of compound and sand again.

Here’s more on our massive master bathroom project:

Planning a Budget Bathroom Remodel

How to Get More Bang from your Bathroom Remodeling Buck

Behind the Walls on our Master Bath

DIY Shower Pan

Tips for Tiling a Shower

 

How to Texture a Wall Using a Sponge

Texturing a wall can hide flaws from imperfect drywall work, create a rustic look, or simply add a unique appearance to a room. It's simple to learn how to texture a wall since the techniques are similar to painting. This step-by-step guide shows you how to texture a wall with a paint roller and drywall compound or with a texture machine for larger applications.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Types of Wall Texture

Wall texture is a paste-like substance that is thicker than paint but thinner than a straight drywall compound. Texture applied to walls and ceilings creates small shadows due to the texture's peaks and valleys. This darkening effect hides surface imperfections such as visible seams, bulges, or depressions. Popular wall texture variations include:

• Popcorn texture: Popcorn wall texture exhibits prominent peaks for a dramatic texture best for hiding major wall imperfections.

Getty Images/TriggerPhoto

• Knockdown texture: Knockdown wall texture has a smoother, flattened, marbled appearance that is easier to paint than popcorn texture.

Getty Images/claudiodivizia

• Orange peel texture: Orange peel wall texture, with its lightly splattered look similar to an orange peel, is the most relaxed textured look that is easy to paint and which looks closest to a flat wall surface.

Getty Images/Pakin Songmor

• Comb texture: Comb texture is just what it sounds like! A comb tool is used to create waves, lines, and swirls in wet paint.

Getty Images/sallies

• Sand swirl texture: Sand swirl textures uses sand to create a rough texture on a swirled wall detail. The result is half circles that add movement to the wall.

Getty Images/kampee patisena

• Slap brush texture: Slap brush texture uses dry wall compound to create a fan-like stomp brush or slap brush effect on the wall.

Getty Images/Nenov

• Slap brush knockdown texture: Slap brush knockdown is exactly what it sounds like—it combines both slap brush and knockdown textures for the stomp-like effect of slap brush and the marbling of knockdown.

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Getty Images/kampee patisena

Tip

Wall texture effects vary depending on how the material is applied and rolled. Practice the technique on scraps of drywall or even sheets of cardboard before moving to your walls and ceilings. Practice with both thin coats and heavy coats. Try different drying times between coats.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Tip

Do not skip the primer. Drywall compound is chalky and sucks the moisture out of paint, leading to inconsistent results and wasted paint. Primer is relatively cheap and seals the surface for the finish coats of paint.

How to Texture a Wall With a Roller

Using a paint roller is a low-cost method to create a textured wall. Before you begin, cover the floors and adjoining wall surfaces, including door and window trim, to avoid spreading texture material on finished surfaces.

1. Patch holes or chips with either drywall compound (mud) or lightweight spackle. Use compound with a drywall knife, and make it flush with the surrounding surface. Leave the patch smooth but unsanded.
2. Prime the surface with flat white latex wall paint or drywall primer, and let it cure for about two hours.
3. Mix drywall compound with water in a 4:1 ratio so it's the consistency of smooth cake batter. Use a 5-gallon bucket and a paint mixer attachment.
4. Fill a paint tray with the texture material or texture paint. Dip a paint roller into the paint tray. Roll it out on the tray. Then, roll the texture product on the walls or ceiling.
5. Reach tight areas, such as corners and edges around trim and baseboards, with a paintbrush. Dip the brush into the texture product, then dab the surface with the paintbrush.
   
6. Let the texture dry. Test for dryness by pressing your thumb into the surface, but avoid pressing too hard.
7. Roll for a second time for a bumpier, more rustic look. Try using a dry roller to pull up the partially dried material, creating a rougher texture.
8. Prime and paint the texture product after it has dried for at least two more hours. You can accelerate the drying process by increasing the heat in the room and by running a box fan on LOW speed pointed into the room.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Tip

Wall texture is not going to hide unfinished joints or screw/nail indentions. Be sure to bed and tape joints, fill screw/nail indentations, and apply at least one fill coat.

How to Texture a Wall Using Joint Compound

A drywall knife and joint compound can be used to create a knock-down surface texture on your walls. Knockdown texture flattens the peaks of the textured surface to create a look much like textured plaster. While the compound is still wet, begin knocking it down. Using a large 10- to 12-inch drywall knife helps keep the knockdown more consistent.

1. Mix the joint compound using the instructions on the package to the consistency of cake batter.
2. Apply the texture to the walls with a roller.
3. Hold the drywall knife at a low angle.
4. Knock down, or flatten, the texture's peaks and ridges by running the knife across the wet drywall compound.
   

Tip

The texture needs to be the correct consistency for this to work. If it is too wet, the texture will smear. If it is too dry, it will not knock down correctly.

Margot Cavin / The Spruce

How to Texture a Wall Using a Texture Machine or Hopper Sprayer

Using a texture sprayer can apply texture to your walls quickly and has a fast dry time.

1. Rent a texture sprayer for larger, multi-room applications and for textures ranging from a fine fog to a thick knockdown or popcorn style.
2. Buy or rent a hopper-style spray gun for smaller applications of light, orange peel-style texture.
3. Texture sprayers are self-contained.
4. Hopper sprayers require an air compressor.
5. Use ordinary drywall compound mixed with water for either tool.

How to Texture a Wall Using a Sponge

Sponge painting may remind you of a DIY project from the 90s, but it's still an easy way to add texture and dimension to a wall.

1. Paint a base color on the wall.
2. Soak a sponge in an accent paint color once the paint has dried.
3. Dab the sponge on the wall in a random pattern.
4. Vary the type and shape of the sponge for different effects.

Faux Wall Texture Techniques

Create the look of wall texture with faux painting techniques.

• Venetian plaster technique: Venetian plaster is a thin putty made of limestone, marble dust, and water that creates the swirly look of natural marble.
• Rag rolling technique: Rag rolling uses old clothes or other fabric as an improvised paint roller to cover the walls, for a thick, mottled, and rhythmic appearance.

Tips For Texturing a Wall

• Avoid using a thick-nap roller cover as this picks up too much texturing compound, making it difficult to roll out.
• For time-sensitive texturing effects like knock-down, have an assistant follow you with the drywall knife as you roll out the texture.
• Glossier paint sheen accentuates the look of a textured surface; flat or matte paint softens the texture.
• Wall and ceiling spray texture in a can is a convenient product for spot-repairing small areas of textured surfaces.

Tip

Not ready to commit to an entire textured wall? You can try a textured wall panel for just a touch of visual interest.

When to Call a Professional

If you need to cover large areas with wall texture, it is usually best to hire a painter or decorator to create texture with an air-compressor-powered electric texture sprayer or a texture machine. Orange peel, splatter, and knock-down effects are all possible with texture sprayers. Application is rapid. Drying time takes only a few hours.

FAQ

• Is it difficult to texture a wall?

  Texturing a wall is not difficult. Only a few tools are required to texture a wall: a paint roller, a paintbrush, and a drywall knife. Materials for texturing a wall are drywall compound, water, primer, and paint. Texturing a wall with a roller is similar to painting a wall with a roller.

• Do you need to skim coat drywall before texturing?

  Skimcoating drywall before texturing is not necessary. However, to limit water absorption, drywall must be painted with primer before applying the texture.

• Is it best to use a texture machine or a paint roller to apply texture?

  Use a texture machine for large areas of textured wall, such as multiple rooms or an entire house. Texture machines are messy, so it's best to use them in the construction phase or thoroughly protect finished surfaces with plastic sheeting. Use a paint roller fitted onto a roller cage for texturing smaller areas or for just a room or two. Manual texture application is slower but it's easier to control, less expensive, and cleaner.

• What is the best way to texture a wall?

  The cheapest way to texture a wall is to use a paint roller with texture paint or texture material.

• What is the easiest wall texture to use?

  Orange peel texture is inexpensive and easy to apply. It doesn't have to be perfect, which makes it perfect for beginners.

• What is the most popular style of wall texturing?

  Because of its ease and affordability, orange peel texture is also the most popular style of wall texturing.

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