How to Communicate with Contractors in the Same Language and Not Overpay for Renovation

Walls are probably the first thing that catches the eye in any interior. You might not notice uneven joints in wooden flooring, but defects in walls, poorly applied wallpaper, or poor painting quality are immediately noticeable.

The key to success here is a properly prepared surface for the final finish. Given the variety of finishing materials, this often presents challenges. Concepts like "smooth," "even," "for painting," "for Venetian plaster," "for wallpaper," and "for tiles" can be interpreted completely differently by you and the construction team. As a result, semi-gloss paint is applied directly to KNAUF gypsum board sheets, and the outcome is far from your expectations.

Q1–Q4 System

To prevent such fatal misunderstandings between the client and the team and to save time and money, KNAUF has developed the Q1–Q4 system — a unified classification of finishing surface quality depending on the final coating.

Important

To guarantee smooth KNAUF gypsum board walls, it's essential to build according to the technology and not neglect small details. A strong frame, properly selected galvanized metal profiles, evenly screwed KNAUF sheets (Gypsum Board), and even screwed heads—these all matter for achieving smooth and beautiful walls.

However, the decisive word is always in the finishing.

Q1 — Finishing for ceramic tiles, roll-on plaster, and decorative cladding

These finishing materials are dense—they inherently conceal almost any irregularities. Simply install KNAUF gypsum board sheets and fill the joints.

Permissible deviations vertically 3 mm over two linear meters, visible indentations, scratches, marks from tools up to 3 mm deep, local lumps of plaster or spackle (height no more than 2 mm), and shadows from side light—these imperfections won't affect the quality of finishing.

Important

Surface quality is visually controlled using special flat lamps. Under contrasting lighting, the light beam is directed along the walls. If unevenness is noticed, additional spackling is required.

How to Prepare the Surface

• Install gypsum board sheets.
  
• Treat joints with KNAUF-Fugen spackle.
  
• Reinforce them with reinforcing tape.
  
• After drying, apply a layer of joint spackle.
  

Design: Irina Krivtsova and Irina Bronnikova
Design: Andrey Barinov
Design: Elena Nikulina, Olga Chut
Design: Ekaterina Savkina

Q2 — Finishing for textured plaster, liquid wallpaper, and heavy vinyl wallpapers

These materials are more demanding regarding surface quality: all transitions from joints, nodes, and fastening elements must be invisible to the naked eye.

Still, shadows from side light, deviations vertically 2 mm over two linear meters, visible scratches (up to 1 mm deep), local lumps of spackle in joints (height ≤ 1 mm), and gaps up to 1 mm in areas of spackled joints (only required for sheet materials) are still acceptable.

How to Prepare the Surface

• Install gypsum board sheets.
  
• Treat joints with KNAUF-Fugen spackle.
  
• Reinforce them with reinforcing tape.
  
• After drying, apply joint spackle until a seamless transition to the sheet material surface is achieved.

Design: Prospect
Design: Ilya and Eugenia Emelyanovs
Design: Irina Bolshakova

Q3 — Finishing for wallpapering, matte paint with fine texture

The Q3 technology eliminates streaks, scratches, and significant height differences, suitable for any wallpaper. It does not exclude shadows under side light, but they are less noticeable than with Q2 technology.

How to Prepare the Surface

• Start with a surface made according to Q2 technology.
  
• Prime it, for example, with KNAUF-Tiffen Grund.
  
• Then perform full spackling of sheets with a layer up to 1 mm.
  
• Apply KNAUF-Rotband Finish spackle.

Design: Arina Troilova
Design: S-Style Studio

Q4 — Finishing for semi-gloss or glossy paint: the highest surface quality requirements

Q4 quality level allows achieving perfectly smooth, flawless walls or ceilings: no side shadows, scratches, or gaps. Only vertical deviations of 0.5 mm per two linear meters are acceptable.

How to Prepare the Surface

• Apply finish spackle in a layer of at least 1 mm over Q3 base.
  
• Smooth thoroughly.
  
• If irregularities remain, especially under side lighting, apply another layer of ready-made finish spackle.

Design: Nadezhda Zотовa

Cover Design: Lines Design Bureau