Comparisons
Drywall Comparisons
Six side by side comparisons covering the decisions that most change the outcome of a drywall project: finish level, who to hire, repair against replacement, board selection, sanding method, and texture matching approach.
Level 4 vs Level 5 finish
The single most consequential specification decision on any drywall project, and the one most often left unstated on a quote.
| Level 4 | Level 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full surface skim coat | No | Yes |
| Board paper exposed between joints | Yes | No |
| Suits textured walls | Yes | Yes, unnecessary |
| Suits smooth walls | No | Yes |
| Suits satin or higher sheen | No | Yes |
| Survives strong raking light | No | Yes |
| Relative cost | Baseline | Significantly higher |
Verdict
Level 4 for textured walls with flat to eggshell paint, which is most residential work. Level 5 for smooth walls, large glazing, or sheen above eggshell. Specify per room, not per house.
Read the full guideDrywall contractor vs handyman
An honest comparison rather than a sales argument. For some jobs a handyman is genuinely the right call.
| Situation | Handyman | Drywall contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Small hole, flat painted wall | Fine | Overkill |
| Textured wall needing a match | Usually visible | Sampled and matched |
| Ceiling repair | Often shows | Feathered for raking light |
| Water damage | Risk of covering it | Board replaced, cavity verified |
| Multiple repairs on one wall | Patchwork result | Skim coated to unify |
| Smooth wall, critical light | Not equipped | Level 5 capable |
| Rated or acoustic assembly | Not appropriate | Built to listing |
Verdict
Ask one question: will anyone look at this wall in good light and care what it looks like? If no, hire a handyman. If yes, and especially if the wall has texture, the difference in outcome justifies the difference in price.
Read the full guideRepair vs replace
There is a point where patching stops being the efficient answer, and it arrives earlier than most people expect.
| Factor | Favours repair | Favours replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Damage size | Under a third of a sheet | Over a third |
| Number of spots | One or two | Four or more on one wall |
| Water involved | No | Yes, always |
| Existing plane | Flat and sound | Wavy or uneven |
| Joints created | Four around the patch | Two, landed on framing |
| Prior repairs nearby | None | Several |
Verdict
Replacement often costs about the same as an extensive patch once the finishing labour a large patch actually requires is accounted for, and it produces fewer joints and a better plane.
Read the full guideStandard vs specialty board
Every specialty board exists to solve one specific problem. Choosing well means identifying which problem you actually have.
| Board | Solves | Where it belongs |
|---|---|---|
| Standard gypsum | Nothing specific | Dry interior walls and ceilings |
| Moisture resistant | Humid air | Bathroom and laundry walls |
| Mold resistant | Mold on paper facing | Humid rooms, coastal properties |
| Cement board | Direct water contact | Behind shower and tub tile |
| Type X | Fire resistance | Rated assemblies, garages, corridors |
| Abuse resistant | Surface scuffing | Corridors, rentals, schools |
| Impact resistant | Penetration | Gyms, healthcare, industrial |
| Sound damping | Sound transmission | Acoustic assemblies |
Verdict
Work zone by zone rather than room by room. A bathroom is three different conditions: humid air on the ceiling, splash beside the tub, and running water inside the shower. Those are three different materials.
Read the full guideDustless vs traditional sanding
The difference is not marginal, and dust is the number one complaint about drywall work generally.
| Traditional sanding | Dustless sanding | |
|---|---|---|
| Dust capture at source | None | HEPA vacuum at the sanding head |
| Dust reaching other rooms | Substantial | Minimal with containment |
| HVAC contamination risk | High | Low with vents sealed |
| Post job cleaning required | Whole building | Work area only |
| Suitable for occupied homes | Poorly | Yes |
| Relative cost | Baseline | Slightly higher |
| Literally dust free | No | No, and claims otherwise are overselling |
Verdict
In an occupied home, dustless sanding typically saves more than it costs once you account for cleaning, HVAC filter replacement, and the disruption of dust throughout the house.
Read the full guideProfessional texture matching vs approximate matching
This is the step that determines whether a repair disappears or announces itself, and it is the one most commonly skipped.
| Approximate matching | Professional matching | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Aerosol can or eyeball | Hopper gun with mixed compound |
| Sample before application | No | Yes, onto a test board |
| Variables controlled | None | Consistency, pressure, nozzle, distance, timing |
| Client approval before application | No | Yes |
| Typical result on orange peel | Detectable | Invisible |
| Typical result on knockdown | Clearly visible | Invisible with sampling |
| Honest about when it cannot match | Rarely | Before starting, not after |
Verdict
There is no aerosol can that matches your wall, because a can gives no control over the variables that determine the result. Sampling costs about an hour and is the entire difference.
Read the full guideAnswers
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