Smooth Drywall or Light Dash?

6 years ago

Our architect specified a smooth finish on the drywall. Our contractor is saying it can occasionally show imperfections and suggested we consider Light Dash instead. Any thoughts?

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tatts

6 years ago

Light dash is a low texture, similar to the orange peel texture common in tract houses in the western US. It's a cheap way to disguise poor craftsmanship and a quick way to finish a wall without multiple skim coats over tape joints and screw heads. It's cheap because they can use low-skill labor to install it, which is why the contractor wants to do it.

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Comments (11)

flopsycat1
6 years ago
I have no idea what Light Dash is, but smooth , untextured drywall gives a clean,modern appearance. I believe that texturing is easier for the installers because affords some cover for any imperfections in the drywall. Has the contractor shown you samples of each? We chose a smooth finish, although it actually was more expensive than a textured alternative.
PRO
PPF.
6 years ago
What is "Light Dash"?

Our contractor is saying it can occasionally show imperfections

Smooth is more difficult. Everything from the framing out needs to be better than average. It will show imperfections if it and the layers below are not done well.
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User
6 years ago
Smooth

The best finish is veneer plaster on blueboard if its available in your area.
deb s
6 years ago
smooth -- if you ever have to patch the textured will show imperfections. this type of request from your contractor (a short cut method) would encourage you to check the rest of his work
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Your contractor has the wrong drywall guys then. I do my own drywall in my homes and there are no impecfections I also do smooth ceilings . The reason there are so many textured ceilings is because smooth is hard to do and takes time so much easier to just spary on some crap.
chiflipper
6 years ago
"The best finish is veneer plaster on blueboard", nothing compares to this finish. It requires skill, and time, and extra cost.
Holly Stockley
6 years ago
I always find this question interesting, because in my neck of the woods "smooth" is really the only option offered. I've never seen textured walls, except in older homes that are actually lathe and plaster.

Inter-regional anthropology.
Buzz Solo in northeast MI
6 years ago
@ RES 3d Sketches When my husband and I built an addition onto our 1940's ranch in southern CA we installed blue board and hired our neighbor who was a plasterer to do the finish plaster. It was beautiful and so worth the money. And it felt so nice to the touch! I'll be happy if I can find decent drywallers around here to do a smooth wall finish on our new home.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
In the Boston area, veneer plaster on blueboard has been the most common gypsum wall board finish for over 50 years. Its slightly cheaper, faster and produces very little dust. The finish is flawless, rock hard, much more durable, easily repaired and holds paint better. Its so beautiful I hate to see it painted. In this area taped drywall is essentially a DIY material.
onobed
6 years ago
If I recall correctly there are 5 levels of drywall finishing with 5 being the smoothest.

I had my walls done to level 5. Looked awesome for a few months. Now every ding really stands out. If I were to do it again I would go 4.