The Gypsum Association created a standard for drywall finishing levels through their publication GA-214. This aims to establish a uniform method for constructing and sealing walls in construction.

Level 5 drywall finish is one of the last and most complicated levels of finish with an average cost of $2.25 to $3 per square foot.

In this article, you will find all the information about the level 5 Drywall finish.

Level 5 drywall finish is the most complicated level of finishing drywall, that’s why it is the most expensive with an average price of $2.25 to $3 per square foot. But don’t mind the price, because level 5 is the best possible finish you can apply to drywall. It equalizes porosity so that your paint coat will be absorbed equally and smoothly.

There are two different methods of achieving a level 5 finish that may affect the cost. Skim coat and spray application. The spray application method is more expensive than a skim coat because you have to use professional spray equipment and it is recommended to hire highly skilled workers. All this affects the total price.

Level 5 Drywall Finish Cost

Level 5 finish explanation

Different rooms require different levels of finishing, which means you might need to apply a thin coat to reach level 5 in certain rooms. Not all the walls have to be finished with level 5. For example walls in the kitchen that are hidden with cabinets, or garage, shed, or warehouse. Simply, the places that don’t need to look nice can be stoped at level 3 or 4 so you will significantly cut the expenses of finishing drywall.

The skim coat used in level 5 drywall primer is often applied with a roller or as a spray. This primer will prepare the wall for additional painting and design elements, like a spray texture commonly used on walls and ceilings.

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Where Level 5 finish is needed?

By adding a skim coat of joint compound, mud, to a level 4 drywall finish, you get to a level 5 drywall finish. The most often usages of level 5 drywall finish are when the finish will be glossy, or when light is be angled low enough to highlight bumps and depressions. Level 5 is a premium finish that you will not get by default, you need to ask for level 5 finish and discuss it with the contractor because it is not normally considered as part of the finishing process.

Why skim coat?

Regardless of how skilled the worker is, there is still a difference in texture between the drywall paper and areas where mud has been applied. Painting without a skim coat, drywall seams may be visible through the paint due to differences in texture. By skimming with drywall mud, mud enters the pores of the paper and fills any imperfections on the surface. The fact that the mud is pressed into the pores of the paper ensures that the surface will be uniformly smooth across seams, fasteners, and drywall paper.

Before you start to hang drywall, make a plan to achieve the level of finish you need. Assemble the right materials and tools for the job and make sure you have the experience or professional contractor to do the job well.

FAQ's

If it is within your budget yes. It helps in any high-lighted areas, such as rooms with a lot of windows or very large ceilings. If you are planing or having any wall finishes that have any sheen at all it will be money well spent.

Level 4 is a standard 3 coat tape job for painted surfaces that are not meant to be coated with gloss, semi-gloss, or enamel or where shiny wall covering will not be used. On the other hand, level 5 is a level 4 tape job with one thin coat of compound spread over the surface to minimize texture and even out the surface for shinier finishes.

Before applying texture to a drywall finish, the surface should be sanded. The smoother the finish on the drywall compound as the mud is applied, the easier and quicker the sanding job will be.

If your wall has distinct crevices, cracks, or texture areas, or if your brand of drywall mud isn’t offering enough coverage, you may have to do a couple of additional coats of compound. However, in general, you may need one coat to fill in the seams and three more coats after taping.

FAQ’s Level 5 Drywall Finish Cost

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