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Smooth Walls vs. Textured Walls: Pros, Cons and Cost

Comparing smooth drywall and textured walls for San Antonio homes and businesses: look, cost, durability, repairs and which rooms suit each.

By SCCI Drywall. Published 2026-10-22.

Key Takeaways

  • Smooth walls look modern but show every flaw and usually need a Level 5 finish.
  • Texture hides imperfections and is easier to maintain.
  • Smooth walls generally cost more because of the extra finishing labor.
  • Many homes mix both, using smooth walls only where they make the biggest impact.

Smooth walls have become popular in modern and contemporary homes and high-end commercial spaces, while textured walls remain the norm across most of San Antonio. Here's how they compare.

Smooth Walls

Pros:

  • Clean, modern, gallery-like look
  • Works with any paint sheen, including semi-gloss
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Shows every joint, fastener and dent, especially under side lighting
  • Usually needs a Level 5 finish, which costs more
  • Dings and patches are easier to see

Textured Walls

Pros:

  • Hides minor flaws in framing and finishing
  • Scuffs and fingerprints are less noticeable
  • Repairs can be blended with a matched texture
  • Generally less finishing labor than a true smooth wall

Cons:

  • Heavy textures can look dated to some buyers
  • Deep textures collect dust and are harder to clean
  • Glossy paint over texture can look busy

The Texture Spectrum

"Textured" covers a lot of ground. From lightest to heaviest:

  • Light orange peel: almost smooth from a few feet away
  • Standard orange peel
  • Medium Monterrey
  • Heavy Monterrey
  • Hand finishes like skip trowel and hand trowel

If you want a cleaner look but not the cost and upkeep of smooth walls, light orange peel is a popular middle ground.

Cost

Smooth walls take more finishing labor: extra coats, a full skim coat and more careful sanding. Textured walls finished to Level 3 or Level 4 typically cost less. Hand textures can cost as much as smooth walls because of the labor. See our drywall cost guide.

Converting Textured Walls to Smooth

Existing textured walls can be made smooth by skim coating over the texture. It's labor-intensive but very doable. See skim coating walls.

Which Rooms Suit Each?

  • Smooth: modern living areas, feature walls, lobbies, galleries, rooms with dramatic lighting
  • Texture: bedrooms, hallways, kids' rooms, rentals and high-traffic areas

Smooth and Textured Finishes in San Antonio

SCCI Drywall finishes smooth walls and applies every common texture. Call (210) 875-0280 or see our textures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are smooth walls more expensive than textured walls?

Usually, yes. Smooth walls typically need a Level 5 finish, which adds labor and material.

Can textured walls be made smooth?

Yes. Skim coating over the texture creates a smooth surface, though it's labor-intensive.

What's the most popular wall texture in San Antonio?

Monterrey and orange peel textures are very common. Medium Monterrey is SCCI Drywall's most popular finish.

Contact SCCI Drywall

SCCI Drywall serves San Antonio and all of South Texas with drywall installation, drywall repair, remodeling, metal stud framing, light gauge framing and acoustical grid ceiling systems for residential and commercial projects.

Phone: (210) 875-0280

Email: sccidrywall@gmail.com

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Request a free drywall quote