Can I Texture Concrete With Drywall Spray

Drywall Spray

• Drywall spray is drywall mud that is sprayed over drywall to create a variety of textures, including orange peel and knock down looks. This product is fairly easy to use but requires some practice to achieve the desired look and amount of texture. Though it is an ideal selection for drywall and it will usually stick to concrete with no problem, there are better, significantly cheaper products that will create a similar or more aesthetically pleasing finished product.

Rock Salt

• As the name suggests, a rock salt finish exposes semi-wet concrete to coarse-cut rock salt. Any kind of rock salt will work, but it should have a medium or large cut to create the desired look. The salt is spread over wet concrete then pressed into the surface with a float or roller. Once the concrete sets, the salt is swept or power washed away, which leaves behind a pitted look. It is a subtle texture and will provide extra skid and slip resistance when the concrete is wet. The cost is significantly less than drywall spray, and it is easier to apply. For an even easier way to create a similar look, use a salt-patterned roller over wet cement. A salt-pattern roller resembles a standard paint roller but has a random pattern of nubs that will create the same pitted look without the salt.

Broom Finish

• A broom finish is a simple, highly functional addition to any piece of concrete. It requires the slab be poured and allowed to partially dry before running a broom along the surface. This texture leaves a fine lined look to the concrete, ideal for adding slip resistance, and if done properly, will aid in moving water down a slope for drainage. Once applied, the concrete must be cured per the manufacturer’s instructions and a sealant applied over the top. A bit of practice is usually required to get the perfect look. The Auto Glide broom, produced by Marion Brush, has a head that automatically adjusts to different angles and slopes, meaning a more uniform look from one end of the project to the other.

Other Designs

• Geometric patterns add visual interest to the concrete and are simple enough to apply for most novice do-it-yourselfers. These patterns, including swirls, arcs and any other desired style, are created using wood or aluminum floats or steel trowels. Wood floats will produce a coarser look, while steel and aluminum products have a finer finish.