Texture Descriptions

Acoustic (Popcorn) Texture

After: Knockdown

This texture type is called acoustic, popcorn, or cottage cheese. It is usually achieved by mixing an aggregate (small chunks of material such as vermiculite or polystyrene) with ceiling paint and then spraying the mixture using a special texturing spray gun. Acoustic texture is a finished surface after spraying, but can also be painted to a color of choice. Most new home ceilings are sprayed with this type of texture in medium aggregate.

Acoustic texture can come in a variety of styles:

Acoustic Texture Fine
Fine
Acoustic Texture Medium
Medium
Acoustic Texture Coarse
Coarse

Splatter, Orange Peel and Knockdown Textures

Splatter, orange peel and knockdown textures are all related textures.

Splatter
Splatter
Orange Peel
Orange Peel
Knockdown
Knockdown

Splatter is a texture of it's own, as well as a starting point for other textures.

Orange peel is actually a tiny splatter and has become very common. It can be sprayed on both walls and ceilings, as well as painted however you like. It can be varied in it's application from fine to course. A medium application is shown below.

Knockdown is created by applying a splatter and then using a flat knife to "knock down" the points. Knockdown texture makes a nice modern ceiling or wall finish. It can be varied from a small, fine pattern to a larger, dragged-together look called "Spanish Lace" or "Mediterranean". A well done knockdown texture can increase your home's value.

Before: Splatter
Before: Splatter
After: Knockdown
After: Knockdown

These picture show before and after knocking down the splatter. Both pictures are before the textures have been painted.

Knockdown Painted Beige
Knockdown dragged-
together after it has been
painted a beige color
Separated Knockdown
Unpainted knockdown
with a more separated
and fogged look
Combination
Acoustic texture ceiling with knockdown on the walls

Other Textures

There are a number of techniques that will produce a variety of beautiful looks.

Other Texture Other Texture Other Texture Other Texture Other Texture Other Texture Other Texture Other Texture