Most people know a good drywall job when they see it, but for years it was difficult for people to describe the type of drywall finish they wanted installed as part of a commercial construction project. Luckily, a number of industry leaders came together to develop a standard methodology for measuring and describing drywall finishes. The scale, which consists of six levels, has become the industry standard and is used by clients, architects, general contractors, and drywall subcontractors to define drywall finishes in construction projects.
Level 0
This level is essentially the bare minimum and involves no actual finish. A level 0 finish is often regarded as temporary, and it’s most often used as a starting point by drywall subcontractors until the general contractor or client decides what type of finish level they’d like for the final product. A level 0 finish means no taping, joint cement, painting, or accessories. It’s essentially just erected drywall.
Level 1
A level 1 finish is also generally not meant to be publicly visible, especially in a commercial building. A level 1 drywall finish is typically installed in areas like attics, basements, or service areas. The key to a level 1 finish is to provide one layer of smoke prevention, so this finish is sometimes referred to as “fire taping”. Drywall subcontractors will tape joints and angles, then remove any excess compounds, but the work usually ends there. Screws and tape are usually left exposed, and there may be visible ridges or tool marks.
Level 2
Often seen in garages or warehouses, level 2 finishes are usually meant for areas of the building that aren’t a huge priority. In fact, many drywall subcontractors consider level 2 finishes to still be “unfinished”. This level involves taping of joints and covering them with a layer of mud using a good taping knife and embedding the tape in the compound. In a level 2 finish, the taping should be more extensive than in level 1. All fasteners and screws should be completely covered and any excess compound should be removed; however, ridges and tool marks can still remain.
Level 3
This level is generally recommended for a medium to heavy wall covering. It’s generally not used for smooth painted surfaces or light wall coverings. With a level 3 finish, the end result is still going to be fairly rough. The taping at level 3 requires the tape to be embedded in compound (as in Level 2), and a second coat of compound applied to your taped joints. This level also requires drywall subcontractors to apply a single coat of drywall primer after they’re done with the taping. The compound should always be smooth, and you shouldn’t have any tool marks or ridges.
Level 4
A level 4 finish is what is usually what clients request and drywall subcontractors aim for on residential and commercial projects. This level is best for flat paint, light texture, or light wall coverings. If you’re going to be applying darker paint tones or sheen, you may need to go with a level 5 finishing instead.
A level 4 drywall finishing means everything is taped, joints are covered, and there are two additional layers of compound for flat joints and one additional layer for angles. Drywall subcontractors should cover all screws and fasteners with three coats of compound, and there shouldn’t be any visible ridges or tool marks.
Level 5
Level 5, which is regarded as a perfectly flat finish, is essentially a level 4 with an additional skim coat. Skim coat compounds, which are made specifically for level 5 finishes, help make the surface look good under bright lights or dark shadows. When drywall subcontractors skim the surface with this thin coat of mud, it essentially helps to fill any minor imperfections on the surface. This finish works especially well for enamel or gloss paint, especially under harsh lighting. Drywall subcontractors often use this finish in environments where low angled lights accentuate bumps or flaws in the wall.
Understanding drywall finish levels is helpful for two reasons. For one, it can help drywall subcontractors, general contractors, and clients align on drywall expectations for construction projects. It can also help you better identify poor drywall installation. For example, if you notice cracks, nails, or exposed fasteners on a level 3 or 4 drywall finish, there is a good chance the drywall subcontractors didn’t know what they were doing.
If you’re looking for a quality drywall subcontractor to add a Level 4 or Level 5 finish to your client’s commercial construction project, contact us at Unique Building Group. Our team of drywall experts is one of the most knowledgeable, and we’re focused on delivering high-quality results for our clients.
