There are many elements that influence the cost of finishing drywall. One such factor is the level of finish you have chosen for your wall as described here.
Level 4 drywall finish cost varies from $2.00 to $2.50 per square foot. You can save some money if you DIY, but if you don’t have enough experience in this field better hire a pro.
Let’s go together through this level of drywall finish.
For level 4 drywall finish expect to pay from $2.00 to $2.50 per square foot. This level of finish is good if you have a flat type of paint or you want to apply a lighter and thinner paint. It is also a good level of finish to apply wallpaper or tiles. Level 4 drywall finish has some imperfections on the surface, but with sanding, these imperfections are easily repaired. You have to prime it before adding a single coat of paint if you don’t plan to texture it.
An important thing that can help you cut the expenses of finishing drywall is to think about how much finish your drywall needs. Rooms like a basement or attic require a lower finish level than a living room for example.
Level 4 drywall finish definition
This level should be used where residential grade wall coverings, flat paints, or light textures are to be applied. The prepared surface shall be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of final finishes. Release agents for wall coverings are specifically formulated to minimize damage if coverings are subsequently removed. The weight, texture, and sheen level of the wallcovering material selected should be taken into consideration when specifying wall coverings over this level of drywall treatment.
Joints and fasteners must be sufficiently concealed if the wallcovering material is lightweight, contains a limited pattern, has a glossy finish, or has any combination of these features. In critical lighting areas, flat paints applied over light textures tend to reduce joint photographing. Gloss, semigloss, and enamel paints are not recommended over this level of finish.
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Mudding and taping cost
Professionals usually charge from $0.35 to $0.80 per square foot to tape, mud, and sand the drywall to prepare it to be painted. This price does not include the paint or primer. For 10 x 12 rooms expect to pay from $42 to $96 to tape and finish the process.
Level 4 drywall finish application
All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in the joint compound and shall be immediately wiped with a joint knife or trowel, leaving a thin coating of the joint compound over all joints and interior angles. In addition, 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.
Fasteners heads and accessories shall be covered with three separate coats of joint compound. All joint compounds shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges. The prepared surface shall be covered with a drywall primer prior to the application of the final decoration.
FAQ's
If the drywall is to be wallpapered, textured, or painted with flat paint, a Level 4 finish is perfectly acceptable. But at this level of finish, any joints and imperfections can show when they’re under a coat of glossy paint or flooded with bright light.
