Drywalling is a very flexible building material. This type of wall structure can be functional as a temporary setup so you can protect certain parts of a property during construction, or it can be permanently installed.
Permanently installed drywalling can be completed with different finish levels that range from basic to silky smooth without any sign of joint lines.
The different finish levels exist to make drywall more practical for different applications and enable property owners to find a solution that suits their budget range.
So, what are the different drywall finishes and what can you expect when you choose a specific drywall finish level? Let’s take a look.
Level 0 Finish
Level 0 is the most basic finish for drywall. These walls are installed as a barrier between a building and a construction area with the intention to remove them once a construction project is complete. Because no one but the construction crew can see the walls, the finish is very basic.
With a Level 0 finish, no tape, coatings, mud or cornering beads are used. The walls can have lots of visible joint markings, and exposed fixtures, and typically don’t look too aesthetically pleasing. This raw finish is, however, perfectly fine since the intention is to remove the panelling at a later stage.
Level 1 Finish
Level 1 drywall finishes are also not meant for public viewing but this is a bit more permanent and visually appealing compared to a level 0 finish. This type of drywall is mostly used for unseen areas of a business like the interior corridors of a factory or the inside of an attic.
The walls usually have the bare minimum in terms of finishing. They are painted but the gypsum board isn’t sanded down and screws or connections are not taped up or covered in mud. The wall is simply wiped clean of the excess compound and coated in paint.
Some Level 1 finish drywalls are reinforced a little bit to protect them from impact but the overall appearance is still very basic and rough.
Level 2 Finish
Drywalling with a level 2 finish does look a little bit better than Level 1 but it still isn’t suitable for public areas or luxury establishments.
This type of drywall finish is commonly used inside a garage, warehouse, industrial building, or other area where you won’t be inviting others.
With this drywall finish, the joints are taped and a skim coat of mud is applied over them to cancel some of the joints and fixtures. The concealment is, however, applied quite roughly and isn’t sanded down. This means you might still see plenty of ridges, and tool marks and the joints will still be visible underneath the mud layer.
Level 3 Finish
This drywalling finish level has an additional layer of mud to cover corners, screws and joints. The mud layer is also sanded down for a smoother finish.
Even though the layer is sanded down, it will still have a rougher texture. This type of surface is mostly used for walls that are going to be coated in textured paint. The thick layer of textured paint will also help conceal some imperfections so the walls can look relatively attractive.
Level 3 finishes can be practical for public viewing areas but are only suitable if you are planning on coating the wall with textured paint or you might still notice some dents and granular texture all over the wall.
Level 4 Finish
Level 4 drywalls are near perfection and it is a suitable finish for home interiors with a matte or flat paint coat. These walls have several layers of mud to conceal imperfections and joints and are sanded down. They can, however, show a few imperfections. These imperfections or uneven areas will be accentuated with a high gloss paint but can be relatively undetectable as long as you focus on a no-sheen paint layer.
Level 5 Finish
Level 5 drywall is the most luxurious finish you can get for this type of wall. These walls are coated in several layers of mud and have been sanded down until the wall surface is perfectly smooth. A level 5 drywall is smooth enough to look velvety and perfect even with a high-gloss paint covering the surface. This finish level is recommended for high-end properties and commercial buildings.
Level 0 – 5 Drywall Finishes in Melbourne
We Fix Walls is the perfect company to choose whether you need a temporary drywall with a level 0 finish or a luxury wall with a perfect level 5 finish. Our drywalling experts can accommodate your budget needs perfectly and will help you achieve the best-looking walls at the most affordable prices.
