How to Communicate with 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. Considering 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 sometimes 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 surface finish quality depending on the final coating.

Important

To guarantee smooth walls from KNAUF gypsum board, it's essential to build according to the technology and not neglect small details. A sturdy frame, properly selected galvanized metal profiles, evenly screwed KNAUF sheets (Gypsum Board), and even screwed cap heads — all of this matters 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 hide most imperfections. It's sufficient to simply install KNAUF gypsum board sheets and fill the joints.

Permissible deviations vertically 3 mm over two linear meters, visible indentations, scratches, dents, and tool imprint depths up to 3 mm, local splashes of plaster or spackle (height no more than 2 mm), shadows from side light — these inaccuracies won't affect the finish quality.

Important

Surface quality is visually controlled using special flat lamps. Under contrast lighting, the light beam is directed along the walls. If irregularities are visible, 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, 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 wallpapers

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

However, side light shadows are still acceptable, vertical deviations of 2 mm over two linear meters, visible scratches (up to 1 mm deep), local splashes of spackle at joints (height ≤ 1 mm), gaps in the area of spackled joints up to 1 mm (only required for sheet materials).

How to Prepare the Surface

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

Design: Prospect

Design: Ilya and Eugenia Emyelnyovs

Design: Irina Bolshakova

Q3 — Finishing for wallpapering, matte paint with fine texture

The Q3 technology eliminates streaks, scratches, and significant height variations, making it suitable for any wallpaper. It does not exclude side light shadows, 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-Tifengrund.
  
• Then perform full spackling of the 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 requirements for surface quality

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 thoroughly.
  
• If irregularities remain, especially under side lighting, apply another layer of ready-made finish spackle.

Design: Nadezhda Zотовa

Cover Design: Lines Design Bureau