How to Talk to Builders 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 of floor planks, but defects in walls, poorly applied wallpaper, or poor paint 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. Terms like "smooth," "even," "for painting," "for Venetian plaster," "for wallpaper," and "for tiles" can be interpreted completely differently by you and the construction crew. As a result, semi-gloss paint is sometimes applied directly to gypsum board sheets, yielding results far from your expectations.

Q1–Q4 System

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

Important

To guarantee smooth walls from Knauf gypsum board, it's essential to build according to technology and not neglect small details. A sturdy frame, properly selected galvanized metal profiles, evenly screwed Knauf sheets (Gypsum Board), and even countersunk screw heads all matter for achieving flat and beautiful walls.

However, the final word always belongs to the finishing.

Q1 — Finishing for ceramic tiles, roller-applied plaster, and decorative cladding

These finishing materials are dense and can hide almost any irregularity. Simply install Knauf gypsum board sheets and fill the joints.

Permissible deviations vertically 3 mm over two linear meters, visible depressions, scratches, dents and tool imprint depths up to 3 mm, local plaster or spackle overflows (no more than 2 mm high), and shadows from side light — these imperfections won't affect the finishing quality.

Important

Surface quality is visually controlled using special flat lamps. Under contrasting lighting, the light beam is directed along the walls. If irregularities are visible, the surface needs additional spackling.

How to Prepare the Surface

• Install gypsum board sheets.
  
• Process joints with Knauf-Fugen spackle.
  
• Lay them with reinforcing tape.
  
• After drying, coat with 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 wallpaper

These materials are more demanding of the surface: all transitions from joints, nodes, and fasteners must be invisible to the naked eye.

Still acceptable are shadows from side light, vertical deviations of 2 mm over two linear meters, visible scratches (up to 1 mm deep), local spackle overflows at joints (no more than 1 mm high), and gaps up to 1 mm in areas of spackled joints (only required for sheet materials).

How to Prepare the Surface

• Install gypsum board sheets.
  
• Process joints with Knauf-Fugen spackle.
  
• Lay them with reinforcing tape.
  
• After drying, coat with joint spackle — until a seamless transition to the surface of the base material is achieved.

Design: Prospect. Design: Ilya and Eugenia Emyelnyovs. Design: Irina Bolshakova

Q3 — Finishing for wallpapering, matte paint with fine texture

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

How to Prepare the Surface

• Use a surface prepared according to Q2 technology as the base.
  
• Prime it, for example, with Knauf-Tifengrund.
  
• Then perform full spackling of the sheets with a 1 mm layer.
  
• Apply Knauf-Rotband Finish spackle.

Design: Arina Troilova. Design: S-Style Studio

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

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

How to Prepare the Surface

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

Design: Nadezhda Zотовa

Cover Design: Lines Design Bureau