How to Texture a Ceiling Or Wall

For creating the stipple effect onto your ceiling, a4: When you've rolled the texture onto the ceiling,
"square brush" which contains "flexible rubber(about 3 foot area coverage) load the roller once
prongs" over the surface of the face side of theagain, and roll it onto the ceiling, next to the area
tool; is used to lightly; "bounce" off, the texturedthat you've just covered.
surface.5: Continue this method until a large area has been
You can also create the same effect, if you rollcoated with the texture mix, probably a third or
onto the surface, the texture mix, and keep oneven half of the ceiling, depending on the size of
rolling over this until a stipple is finally achieved.the area to be covered.
The depth on the "finished texture" pattern6: When you've completed this; and using the
depends on how thick the consistency of theroller again, (but don't load it with texture mix this
texture powder is mixed, plus also, how thick youtime), continue to roll out, in the opposite direction
apply the mixed texture material onto the surfaceof the applied texture, to even out (spread out)
to be textured.the texture coating already applied to the ceiling,
To create a final "uniformed" finish, you mustotherwise you'll have an uneven finish when you
make sure that you roll out the applied texture ascome to stipple it: the thickness of the texture on
evenly as possible onto the surface; and keepingthe ceiling should be about half an inch in depth.
it the same depth/level, throughout the whole7: The next step is to prime the stipple brush with
ceiling.the mixed texture coating, you can use a large or
A lot of new build establishments favour a stipple,small stipple brush; but you will get a more
broken leather or swirl pattern, usually a stippleuniformed pattern with a large brush, especially if
pattern can be done quickly, and as textureyour texturing larger surfaces, making sure a
coating dries out reasonably white doesn't needwooden handle is attached to the large stipple
painting afterwards, thus saving both time andbrush so that you can reach the ceiling height.
money for the contractor.Below is a quick summary:
In this section I'm going to take a look at the1: Apply the texture to the surface.
stipple pattern for its uniformed, soft or heavyRolling on about a third or even half of the ceiling).
finish; and the speed at which it can be done.2: Take the roller, (but don't load it with texture
To achieve this finish, the prepared surface/areamix this time).
to be textured onto has to be as "flat and asRoll out onto the ceiling, in the opposite direction
level as possible" (Otherwise, any discrepanciesof the applied texture to 'even out' the texture
and uneven surfaces will show throughalready there: otherwise the finished pattern will
afterwards).look uneven.
As this pattern requires the final mixed textureThe next step is to prime the stipple brush.
material to resemble a thick emulsion type of3: Attach a pole/handle to the stipple brush and
paint, I find this one of the messiest patterns tohold it so that the soft rubber bristles are pointing
do also.upwards.
Mix up a bucket of texture powder, (thick first to4: Load the roller head with the texture mix, and
get out the lumps).gently roll this small amount across the surface of
After letting the thickly mixed texture rest for athe stipple brush, (the rubber bristles) making sure
few minutes in the bucket, add small amounts ofthat you don't squash down or flatten the rubber
cold water into the texture mix to thin it out.bristles; once coated with texture we are now
Then transfer this mixed texture material into theready to stipple the coated area.
large roller bucket ready for application, and mix5: Stand directly beneath the area to be textured,
once again, using the bumper tool, or drill with thestart along the ceiling/wall edge then lightly bounce
mixing attachment.the stipple brush onto the ceiling to create the
When adding cold water to mix down the texturedesired effect.
coating to the required consistency, just add a7: Continue stippling and bouncing onto the coated
little at a time, as it is not advisable to addarea.
powder at this later stage.(Going to the room door entrance to take a look
The finished product should now resemble thickevery now and again, and don't forget, what you
emulsion paint.can see, so will others-make any adjustments as
Next step: Decide where to start the patternnecessary)continue rolling onto the ceiling, and
onto the ceiling.stippling until complete.
Usually, when attempting the stipple effect the8: Finally, run an inch sized brush around the
best place to start is furthest away from theperimeter of the ceiling to wall line to create a
room door entrance.tidy border, and not forgetting the centre rose
1: Using the large paint roller, attached to the polelight also, to tidy up.
handle, dip the roller head completely into theYou can also use a small stipple brush to create
bucket of mixed texture, to completely cover thethis design, but if you're using the large brush, it
roller head. (You can also use a small roller forseems easier to create a more uniformed finish.
application if you want.)The stipple pattern can also be created by just
2: Lift the roller out and give it a little shake torolling the texture coating onto the surface and
get rid of the residue, and then sharply offer thethen keep rolling the mix out with the roller head
loaded roller head to the ceiling surface.until a stipple type pattern is eventually formed.
3: Start along the wall edge of the ceiling, (whenIf you want a heavier stipple effect, mix the thick
using the roller, and always extend yourtexture down with cold water as normal but do
straightened arms upwards, and away from you).not add as much water so that you are left with
With a light but firm pressure, pull the rollera thicker consistency in the bucket, and then roll
towards, and above you, to spread the materialthis mixture onto the surface, thickly.
onto the surface, (rolling on may take a littleA heavy stipple is great for lacing back (flattening
practise to get right, but this method is used toslightly)
roll on for any ceiling work.)To create an "anaglyptic" looking effect.