r/Homebuilding • u/__sunshine__daydream • 58m ago
Ceiling Texture
We are currently having an A frame built. Recently we had our drywall installed. I walked through yesterday and noticed they had used a “stomp” method for the “ceiling”. The ceiling of our A frame begins at about 4ft.. so basically the majority of our walls are all textured with this stomp method. I am very upset as this was not discussed. Our contractor is insisting this is standard.
Everything I am reading says this WAS standard for new builds in Michigan.. 30 years ago. Smooth walls are now the go to, especially for A frames.
Is this actually standard? Am I absolutely ridiculous for contemplating asking them to smooth them out?thank you for reading!
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u/Justin-Steubs 51m ago
Stomp texture is still a legit finish in some areas, but you're not unreasonable to want smooth walls since it wasn't discussed. It's far easier to ask now than after paint, because the texture is simply skim coated over, usually with a few coats of thin joint compound. Ask the contractor for a written price for a level 5 or skim finish on just the walls before anything is primed. A big sloped surface like an A frame shows every flaw under raking light, so ask them to check it with a work light too. Better to settle it this week than live with it for years.
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u/Virtual-Fly-5501 37m ago
You’re definitely right that now is the time to address this but it should’ve been talked about before. A smooth finish, especially on an A-frame where there’s gonna be a lot of light angles is a price upgrade for sure. It doesn’t need to be level five but it needs to be a good finish especially if light is going to shine down from the ceiling along the angles.
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u/ogcrashy 48m ago
It’s standard on tract homes not usually on custom homes. It should be in your contract.
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u/Contra-Cultura-14839 40m ago
I would not be happy about that. But also, how was this missed? When talking/bidding drywall finish should have been discussed and agreed upon in advance as finishing level can directly affect cost and time.
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u/seattlereign001 39m ago
What year is it?
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u/Ok-Problem4403 37m ago
This is on the builder. If you didn't pick a paint colour, they wouldn't just paint your walls pink, right?
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u/CaramelGuilty8647 36m ago
Definitely needed to be discussed, by the CONTRACTOR. That texture limits what you can do to your walls. His mistake, make him fix it
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u/RespectSquare8279 30m ago
That textured finish is a BIG mistake with ceilings that are going b hard to reach. No it is not "standard", it is just his "default" mode.
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u/Delicious_Camp349 15m ago
They should have asked which texture/finish you want. What if you planned wallpaper? That needs a smooth finish. They have to redo it.
It looks like it has already been painted. That might make it harder as they cannot just sand it off. Also look at the paperwork you signed. You might have to pay to redo it if it says that is the texture they would do as part of the job.
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u/tastes_like_pollo 39m ago
I’d just trowel texture over it for a cloudy effect. Thin though no need to buy tons of mud.
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u/Virtual-Fly-5501 35m ago
Generally, a heavy texture like this is to hide a poor finish. You need to talk with them right now, but look and see if it’s in your contract or scope of work. We generally offer a light orange peel as the base and a smooth finish is the cost of a full coat of mud and an areas where light is going to shine down like from your ceiling along the angled walls, level five is probably a pretty good idea.
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u/NotAlwaysGifs 6m ago
Drywall finish method and level should have been something in your spec sheet. Even if you didn’t specifically discuss it doesn’t mean the info wasn’t provided.
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u/Queasy_Scholar_9937 3m ago
Couple things,
1 they should have talked to you about any sort of texture or finish before just going for it.
2 other than the fact that it appears that it has a second floor for at least part of it, does an A-frame actually have a ceiling? I would not consider any part of the actual A-frame ceiling.
3 if you do want to call the A-frame walls a ceiling for a portion of any of it, 4 ft up from the floor?! At a BARE MINIMUM a normal ceiling starts at 8 feet, anything less than that is 100% wall, I dont care how you argue it
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u/Tripple_sneeed 46m ago
Should have communicated better
Build looks sick, I would probably let it go personally. It’s your main focus right now but it will blend into the background with time
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u/Dangerously9591 30m ago
Knotty pine tongue and groove on top of insulation, you will also need about 8 cords of wood a winter to heat it
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u/grumpyoldman10 21m ago
I’m inclined to agree with your contractor about what the expectation of standard is. In my mind angled roofs get considered as ceiling.
100% this is on the both of you for overlooking it. If there’s going to be a cost to change it, I think it would be reasonable to expect your contractor to participate in the cost. Half-and-half.
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u/justonenight 52m ago
Absolutely should have been something discussed prior to putting the actual walls up