Smooth drywall finish on a wall and ceiling

Drywall Finish Levels, Explained

What Levels 0 through 5 actually mean, and how to tell whether your walls need Level 4 or Level 5.

The short answer

Drywall finish levels run from Level 0 to Level 5 and describe how much taping and joint compound goes over the board before paint. Most painted walls in homes are finished to Level 4. Level 5 adds a thin skim coat over the entire surface and is the right choice for smooth walls under strong light, big windows or glossy paint. Level 3 is common behind heavy texture. The levels come from the Gypsum Association's industry standard, GA-214, so the same terms mean the same thing on any job.

Each level, in plain terms

Level 0

Board is hung, and nothing else. No tape, no compound. Used only for temporary construction or where the finish has not been decided yet.

Level 1

Tape is set in joint compound at the joints and interior corners, and nothing more. You see it above ceilings, in attics and in service areas that will never be seen. It is also the level usually called "fire taping," where a rated wall only needs its joints sealed.

Level 2

Tape set in compound plus one thin coat over the tape, with screw heads covered. It suits garages, warehouses and storage areas where looks do not matter much, and it is the usual level for board that will be covered with tile.

Level 3

Level 2 plus one more coat of compound on the joints and screw heads. It is meant for walls and ceilings that get a heavy or medium texture, sprayed or hand-applied, because the texture hides small imperfections.

Level 4

Level 3 plus another coat, so flat joints get three coats and inside corners get two. This is the standard for most painted walls and ceilings with flat paint, light texture such as orange peel or light knockdown, or wallcovering. It is not recommended under gloss or semi-gloss paint, which shows every joint.

Level 5

Everything in Level 4, plus a thin skim coat of compound over the entire surface, not just the joints. The skim coat evens out the difference in texture between the paper face of the board and the taped joints, so the wall looks uniform when light hits it from the side. Level 5 is recommended for smooth walls with gloss, semi-gloss or enamel paint, and anywhere with "critical lighting": tall windows, wall-washer fixtures or long walls lit from one end.

Choosing

Level 4 or Level 5: how to decide

The question is almost always Level 4 versus Level 5. Three things decide it:

Light. Light that rakes across a wall at a low angle, from a big window or a ceiling fixture near the wall, shows seams and screw pops that look fine head-on. If the room has that kind of light and the walls are smooth, Level 5 is worth it.
Paint sheen. Flat and matte paint hide small flaws. Eggshell hides less, and semi-gloss and gloss hide almost nothing. The shinier the paint on a smooth wall, the stronger the case for Level 5.
Texture. If the wall gets orange peel or knockdown, the texture covers the joints and Level 4 is normally enough. Heavy hand texture can go over Level 3.

Level 5 costs more than Level 4 because the skim coat covers every square foot of the surface, adds another round of drying time, and needs another round of sanding. On a textured wall that extra cost buys nothing you can see. On a smooth wall in a bright room it is the difference between a wall that looks finished and one that shows every seam.

For commercial work the level is set by the plans and the finish schedule. A-Best finishes to the level the spec calls for, and flags it before work starts if the spec and the lighting design disagree.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common drywall finish level for homes?

Level 4 is the most common finish level for painted walls and ceilings in homes. It covers the joints with three coats of compound and works well under flat paint and light textures such as orange peel or light knockdown.

What is a Level 5 drywall finish?

A Level 5 finish is a Level 4 finish plus a thin skim coat of joint compound over the entire surface. The skim coat makes the whole wall look uniform, which matters for smooth walls under strong side light or glossy paint.

Do I need a Level 5 finish?

You need Level 5 if the walls are smooth and the room has strong side light, tall windows, or semi-gloss or gloss paint. If the walls will get orange peel or knockdown texture, Level 4 is normally enough.

Why does Level 5 cost more than Level 4?

Level 5 costs more because the skim coat covers every square foot of the wall instead of just the joints, and it adds another round of drying and sanding. The extra cost pays off on smooth walls in bright rooms, and buys little on textured walls.

What finish level goes behind texture?

Level 3 is the usual finish behind heavy or medium texture, because the texture hides small imperfections. Light textures such as orange peel generally go over a Level 4 finish.

Who defines drywall finish levels?

Drywall finish levels are defined by the Gypsum Association in its GA-214 standard, Recommended Levels of Gypsum Board Finish. Contractors, architects and builders use the same Level 0 to Level 5 terms from that document.

Not sure which finish level your project needs?

Call or text 210-617-8597 or email abestdrywall@gmail.com. A-Best Drywall serves San Antonio, Austin and the Texas Hill Country, with free written estimates and our own crews on every job.

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