How to Texturize Sheetrock

Applying texture to sheetrock can be accomplished by following the steps that are outlined below. Texturizing sheetrock is an alternative to painting the sheetrock or affixing tile to drywall.

Step 1 - Purchase Materials

You will need to purchase the items needed to texturize your sheetrock. Go to your local home improvement center in order to purchase joint compound, drywall knife, drop cloth and brushes.

Step 2 - Prepare the Area

Prepare the area that you will be texturizing. All furniture, wall decorations and fixtures should be removed. You can remove the outlet covers using a screwdriver. Place the furniture into the middle of the room and cover with drop cloths or sheeting in order to protect it from any of the joint compound that may fall on it.

Step 3 - Remove Wallpaper

If the walls are wallpapered, you will need to remove the wallpaper completely before attempting this project. This could be a physically challenging task, depending on the age of the wallpaper. Use a clothes iron, misting bottle and scoring tool to remove the wallpaper.

Repair any damage that removal of the wallpaper may have caused to the wall. Use joint compound to cover any damaged areas or, if necessary, cut a patch and place it in the repair area.

Step 4 - Apply Joint Compound

Starting at the baseboards, apply the joint compound using a wide blade drywall knife. You should work in a small area first and fan out from there, making sure to create your design as you go along. In other words, do not cover the wall completely with joint compound and attempt to go back over it with a brush or other tool to create the texture pattern.

As you work in a small area of the sheetrock applying joint compound, take a small brush and fan out the joint compound. You can also use a sponge, large brush, small brush or stencils to create the texture pattern that you are looking for.

Step 5 - Complete the Texturing

Apply joint compound in small sections of the sheetrock and alternate creating the texture patterns while the joint compound is still wet. Although joint compound takes awhile to dry, it is easier to work in smaller sections creating a texture pattern than it is to do the entire wall first and texture after the fact. You will develop a technique and style for adding texture to the sheetrock as you become more proficient with the tools and materials that you are using.

Step 6 - Allow Joint Compound to Dry

As soon as you complete the last section of the sheetrock with the texturing, clean the drywall knife, paint brushes and any stencils that you may have used. Give the joint compound time to dry and you have completed this project.