Roll Coat Techniques for Texturing Drywall

Stippling

• A stippling roller is a useful tool for texturing drwall. A stippling roller has a bumpy soft cover with a thick nap that allows uneven amounts of paint to stick to the wall. This texturing method requires you to roll the stippling roller evenly over the wall with consistent strokes. As the paint dries, it will reveal a bumpy texture that resembles plaster.

Sponging

• The roll-sponging technique is a time-saving method that quickly adds texture to an entire room. It is important to use a consistent up-and-down motion that allows the jagged pattern on the sponge to spread paint unevenly on the wall. Some of the lumpy paint sticks to the surface while other hollow portions of the sponge cause the original paint to show through. The result is a modeled design with a soft texture. You can roll on a color similar to your original paint for a subdued pattern, or add an entirely different paint color for a more dramatic effect.

Overlapping with Paint Additives

• Thin drywall mud, sand or small pieces of plaster can be added to paint to create texture. You can also purchase pre-made textured paint from a hardware store. Using a thick-napped roller cover, you can uniformly texturize a wall by applying smooth vertical strokes. Each time you apply the textured paint, you must slightly overlap your vertical strokes so all areas of the wall are covered. If you don't use an overlapping roll technique, the edges of each vertical stroke will reveal less texture and create the illusion of stripes. Consistent overlapping will create a stucco effect.

Outlining

• Outlining is a texturizing roll technique that allows you to focus texture on specific areas of your home. Architectural features like archways, entryways and doorframes can be accentuated using this roll technique. You can choose a textured roll brush or textured paint to outline and add texture to the area. It is advisable to use painter's tape to mask off areas that you do not want texturized. Roll the paint on in a rounded-motion for archways and in a linear-motion for entryways and frames. The result is a three-dimensional roll technique that allows the textured portion of wall to stand out against the flat wall.