topic Re: Wall texture in Among Friends

Wall texture

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 02 May 2019 01:08:12 GMT

We are planning an update to a bathroom. Currently there is paper on the walls, but if we move forward with the project, I will not repaper, I wanted painted walls.

One contractor told us that flat walls were the way to go now. Our house was built in the early 70's and the walls are plastered with a slight texture....he said that is very outdated.

I have never been a fan of 'flat' walls they just seem so flat. We are not going to go to the extra expense of a knock down finish....any thoughts about wall texures?

Edited to add, I am not talking about flat paint I am talking about either flat walls or textured walls...currently they are plastered with a slight swirl pattern.

Re: Wall texture

esmerelda — Thu, 02 May 2019 00:58:04 GMT

I would go with flat. Depending on how much the walls are textured, wouldn’t they be hard to clean?

Re: Wall texture

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 02 May 2019 01:05:00 GMT

@esmerelda All the walls in the house have a texture, slight swirl, it's all I have ever known....they are not hard to clean....I really don't clean walls unless the paint gets dirty...which does not really happen...it occasionally sweep the walls, especially at the corners near the ceiling.

Re: Wall texture

x Hedge — Thu, 02 May 2019 01:16:27 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

Kitchen and bathroom are smooth, which is traditional for ease of cleaning since kitchen and bathroom walls are washed more often than other walls in the house. That's also why they're usually painted in a semi gloss.

When you say slight texture do you mean a sand texture that leaves tiny raised points in the finish?

My house is older, mid 1930s and the formal rooms have a true texture from plaster applied in irregular waves.

But the bedrooms and hallways have a sand texture.

-ah, i see you added more info while i was trying tho get my post together.

Re: Wall texture

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 02 May 2019 01:18:03 GMT

@x Hedge Yes, a sand texture on all walls that are not papered.

I think I will need to 'see' what the flat walls look like, but I guess if we have the bathroom work done the contractor would sand and clean the walls, then apply a skim coat to smooth out any imperfections....does that sound right?

Re: Wall texture

x Hedge — Thu, 02 May 2019 01:30:58 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

Wallpaper hides an abundance of flaws.

Especially if the original covering was paper, and the builder knew the wall surface would be hidden.

If your contractor suggested skim coat after removing paper it's because the flaws will show.

Bathroom lighting can be unforgiving, highlighting every dip and tiny dent in the surface.

Believe me, you'll see the irregularities.

Go with a skim coat.

Re: Wall texture

ECBG — Thu, 02 May 2019 01:37:39 GMT

Beadboard is very pretty.

This room is done in white and charcoal, but you could use the colors you decorate in.

Re: Wall texture

colliemom4 — Thu, 02 May 2019 02:23:51 GMT

I had some of my walls redone about 10 years ago as I was doing some remodeling. They are flat yet still have a bit of a texture to them.

Re: Wall texture

BirkiLady — Thu, 02 May 2019 02:56:05 GMT

@Mom2Dogs Would you be loosing the charm of your home with a flat wall in the bathroom? If so, keep the original walls and have the contractor paint over them (after removing the wallpaper) with one of the appropriate types of paint. Obviously, it can be done. Think of the 100-200 year old homes that are gorgeous!

It's your home and you should be happy with it. You will be living with it . . . not him!

Re: Wall texture

queendiva — Thu, 02 May 2019 07:22:32 GMT

@Mom2Dogs : I think @ECBG has the right idea for you.

I had white beadboard in two of the 3 bathrooms in my former house. Looks great with white fixtures. Looked very much like the picture posted. Inexpensive and easy to clean. You can paint any color you like above the wood. I think the style is classic and appealing.

That photo looks just like my former powder room, except the walls were painted a tan color. I like the contrast with a navy or rich gray, but just about any color would work.

Re: Wall texture

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 02 May 2019 11:27:01 GMT

Currently the bottom half of the walls are beadboard, the rest is papered. The concern is what others mentioned, a flat wall shows every imperfection, but then the walls were finished for papering and probably not perfect like a wall would be finished to be flat, which would be a better finishing job. I really think I would prefer a 'slight' texture as another poster mentioned that is what they have on their walls.

I guess since I have not personally seen any flat finished walls I am worried about how they look but I guess is would depend on the skill of the plastering company.

I called a construction company to give us a quote on tearing out the tub and shower surround as well as working on the walls..... they were quite informative and spent a good deal of time measuring, etc....over 30 days ago. I do not have my quote yet....I think 30 days is plenty of time to get a bid around. The 2nd company is coming out next week to bid the job, so much to think about, dh and I know nothing about this sort of thing.

Re: Wall texture

happycat — Thu, 02 May 2019 12:36:36 GMT

I am not a fan of going with what is "in". I think you should go with what you want. When we built our house 20 some years the texture they put on it was called "orange peel" I think. Its not smooth, but its not super textured either.

Re: Wall texture

Sunshine Kate — Thu, 02 May 2019 12:47:20 GMT

We have a newly built home and the walls are slightly textured. I prefer a slightly more textured walls though.

I think textured walls look more expensive; don't like flat walls at all.

Re: Wall texture

Libbylady — Thu, 02 May 2019 13:06:43 GMT

When we recently sold our home we removed a lot of the wallpaper using a Black & Decker steamer and vinegar. It went surprisingly quickly, however all the papered walls had been well sized prior to papering. I know this, since did both the sizing & papering!

We were rather tired by the time we got to the den & powder room. The paper was still very tight to the walls, so we decided to paint over the paper.

We skim coated each seam, and put a coat of "35" from Sherwin Williams over the walls. This goes on like skim milk and helps the paint adhere to the substraight.

The end effect after 2 coats of paint was perfectI

Re: Wall texture

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 02 May 2019 13:51:12 GMT

@happycat I agree with you..... when he said 'flat' walls were in....I immediately thought, don't care what is in I like my slightly textured walls, but needed feedback from others. I do like the knockdown texture on walls but not sure I should mix finishes throught the house.

Re: Wall texture

queendiva — Thu, 02 May 2019 14:01:18 GMT

As you have beadboard walls I would remove the paper in the full bath and paint using Benjamin Moore Aura bath and spa paint. Made for the bathroom. More pricey but worth it. Paint your vanity white while you are at it if it needs the update.

I think texture is much less of an issue in the bathroom than color and finishes/ fixtures.

For reference: I have been both a home seller and buyer within the past year. It's your dollars, get what you want (without being too extreme, color-wise).

Re: Wall texture

QP Doll — Thu, 02 May 2019 15:11:14 GMT

I hate being told "what's in" also! To my liking, my walls are an orange peel texture & I don't care if it's out. There will be no changes here. So I say keep what you like. Remember what is "IN" eventually goes "OUT"!

Re: Wall texture

Fressa — Thu, 02 May 2019 15:16:28 GMT

We have an older home and are in the middle of a wallpaper project or two. I like the textured plaster walls. I would paint over them and not remove the texture. I like the way the light reflects of the textures during the different times of the day. I'm one for keeping my home current but witha priority on what I like. Not a big fan of flat walls.

Re: Wall texture

Brisky — Thu, 02 May 2019 23:35:23 GMT

My home is twenty years old and they do have light texture. I like it. Go with what you want.

Re: Wall texture

x Hedge — Fri, 03 May 2019 01:21:14 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

Before you make a final decision, look into how the texture is achieved.

Is the wall surface itself altered , and then primed & painted after some curing time?

Or is it like the 'sand' that's simply mixed into the paint and painted on?

Should make a sizeable difference in price.