I think this is builder's way to hide imperfections and hurry along construction. Don't know how to undo but will follow as my sis' house has same dilemma.

It is called knock down texture and it was very big in the 1990s.

This article is not dated, so I don't know when it was written - shows how to do it - though you want the reverse:)

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/knockdown-texture/

This can be smoothed over and given a nice sleek look. You do, however, have to find an excellent dry waller who will be meticulous in making sure that the new finish is smooth and walls level. It can be done, you just need an artist and it will look gorgeous. Otherwise, unless it is done impeccably you will seen every imperfection and flaw. Another option is to have someone smooth over and put on a "lighter" more subtle orange peel texture. Maybe a nice compromise? Good luck.

Yes - an older drywall guy should know how. Even a younger one might know because walls frequently have to be repaired and matched to a previous texture.

This spray knockdown texture is very common here in California where the house gets shaken regularly. It hides settling and build imperfections well and can be repaired best by an experienced drywaller. Essentially they may or may not remove the texture in the area, then spray and knock it down.

That small area can easily be repaired with patching plaster. There are many DIY videos available on applying texture to walls, as well as spray-on texture. Takes some practice to reproduce the existing texture, but it can be done.

https://www.amazon.com/Texture-Knockdown-Water-Based-Aerosol/dp/B07FYPLD1T

IMO a skim coat over that whole textured wall will proably be cheaper than having some expert come to match the texture. Textured walls IMO are just there because the guy doing the drywall didn’t want to do a perfect job.

Texture vs. smooth walls seems to be regional. We had a house built in Texas and it would have been nearly impossible to find a drywall guy who did not use texture, even in higher end custom houses. Their crews were not trained to finish smooth walls. We now live in Virginia, where I don't think I've ever seen texture used in any of the older houses. If they commonly use texture in your region, then it should not be hard to find someone who knows how to match it.

I've tried buying the spray texture cans at the home store, and had fairly good results doing my own repairs. Just use a spare piece of sheetrock to practice on until you get the right distance and technique to match the texture.

Bruce

Yep, it's regional. Don't be offended when someone on the 'net tells you your house was built by a no-talent hack because of it. :)

I'd attempt to match it myself or get someone in to skim over it since you don't like it much anyway. At least get a quote.

We once had an older "mud guy" do patching in our home who was the son of the guy who had plastered it originally in the 1950s. He was really good. Couldn't tell new drywall from old plaster. It was not sprayed. Or quick.

Article from Bob Villa posted by jhmarie is

published February 2018

Thanks celerygirl! So in some areas of the country, it continues to be a popular texture.

Some of the rooms in our Victorian look like that (while others are smooth beautiful plaster). And in our case, the texture looks uneven and not very good (it's definitely not original, as it wasn't the style back then and other rooms still have lovely smooth walls) - I suspect it's cover up for old wallpaper or wallpaper residue.

Anyhow, if you just want to patch it, you could probably find an experienced guy to match it, but if you'd rather have smooth walls, it might be more cost effective to just do new drywall than have some dude come expertly smooth out the existing texture.

If you want perfectly smooth walls, hire someone, probably a drywall mudder. If you are willing to have some texture to look like a hand troweled finish, you can do it yourself.

First sand down the texture to get rid of the high spots. Wash, then apply a coat of mud. I used Synko Dust Control. When you sand, the dust falls straight down, rather than floating in the air. Sand it down, a good light is important for finding areas that need more sanding. If you dont like the texture at that point, give it another coat and sand again. Once you have it to the point you want, sweep and damp mop the walls to remove any remaining dust, then prime and paint. Before and after 1 coat.

I can't contribute on how to fix or change the texture - but just wanted to add another voice that it's definitely regional! I grew up in IL - and never once saw a textured wall. Moved to WI - and everything is textured - there are no smooth walls here, apparently. I was stumped at first and asked a TON of questions to builders from all over trying to see who was trying to do it cheaper/easier, etc - but from what I've heard/read, it really does just seem to be a regional thing. Who knows!!

If you absolutely cannot stand the texture, sure go ahead and skim it smooth but I'm going to guess you'd be willing to live with it since you said smooth walls would be your preference. You do not need to skim the entire wall (and actually you'd have to do the entire room) for this one little rectangle. Even if you can't achieve a 100% perfect texture match, you will never notice it with this small of a repair as long as it's a close match. Just fill the void with drywall mud so it's smooth with the wall and feather it out onto the wall. After it's dry you can check it with a level or straight board to make sure it's level. Lightly sand if you need to, get some spray texture that matches what you have, spray it on and knock it down with a drywall knife. I would normally not recommend spray texture but this is a small area and the knock-down part of it is easier to match than if you weren't knocking it down. I wish my drywall repairs were this small! I've had to repair areas 10x this size and the drywall paper was torn to boot! I've never had a problem matching the texture and I'm a walking, breathing perfectionist. You can do it! It's very unlikely you'll even be able to find someone willing to do this small of a repair.

Ps, be sure to remove the plastic screw anchors.

I should have added two bits of info in my earlier comment:

You can do this yourself in a small area AFTER some practice. I've done it.

Do consider the acoustics of the room / house. Textured walls and ceilings deaden some of the noise. I strongly prefer less acoustic reflection.

@Lindsay, I've seen many homes in Canada like this. At least in western Canada.

If you want to try your hand at skim coating, you can buy a drywall squeegee trowel. They're available in various widths, 12-22" wide. (Magic Trowel is one brand name but there are similar trowels available under various brand names.)

I have not used one. I did grab a regular window squeegee once and used it on drywall and with better results than I was having using a drywall blade/ knife.

I happen to love texture on walls. Years ago, we visited Santa Fe where I fell in love with the skip trowel texture that is (was) used a lot there. The home we owned at the time had orange peel texture. Which was OK except for being a little boring. So I started going over the walls with a skip trowel texture. Worked out really great on the ceiling after I had scraped the popcorn texture off.

To me, a painted wall without texture is blah. I paint my walls a pure white. Without texture, they are pretty nothing. Except for roller stipple (which I hate.) But I love that same white over skip trowel texture. Roll the paint and then backbrush with a wide brush to eliminate stipple and add brush marks to the paint. A lot of work but I do love the look. Not for everyone, I know.

Hi, Try this if you have a garage or closet where you can practice buy a gallon of premixed mud and a 6 and 12 inch blade. say your closet is textured put some mud on it and smooth a small section let it dry then sand smooth. Get a plastic bag (if your not in Ca.). Dab it in the pail of mud and lightly dab it on the wall. Let it set a little (not dry) then take your blade and gently drag the blade across the set mud and you should get your texture. Now you're an expert go patch the wall.

Good Luck Woodbutcher