By Jason Fell, Technical Director
Drywall Information Trust Fund
As you know, our GA-214 "Levels of Gypsum Board Finish" has been a great asset to
the industry. However, does it go far enough?
I have personally experienced an increase in owner, architect and general contractor
complaints over the Level 5 finish. Many of these complaints are just and we, as an
industry, need to take another look at perhaps the cause and a solution.
I have recently spent a lot of time interviewing contractors, manufacturers of texture and
joint compound, not to mention many tapers and, yes, painters.
As you know, our current Level 5 states that a thin skim coat of joint compound, or a
material manufactured especially for this purpose, shall be applied to the entire surface.
Here lies the problem - there's no mention of any mil thickness or what constitutes a wet
or dry mil thickness of material. Basically, at Level 5 you have just two choices - skim
the entire wall surface with joint compound or use one of the materials that most
manufacturers now produce, however, disclaim as a means to achieve a Level 5 finish.
(Did you get your letters - I did).
Traditionally, groups like A.S.T.M., C.S.I. and even our own A.W.C.I., have been
reluctant to endorse a spec which has, or commits us to, a mil thickness. In a way, I can't
blame them. However, with the paint today becoming colored water and the fact we will
have recycled paper forever, it may make it necessary to define and state a skim coat and
even develop a new Level 6 premium finish.
The Drywall Information Trust Fund, along with A.W.C.I., Western Wall and Ceiling
Contractors, Drywall Finishing Council, A.S.T.M. and Northwest Wall & Ceiling
Bureau, are working to improve on this industry problem. Look for more on this subject
in the very near future.