Are You Specifying the Right Levels of Finish?
OnBoard Newsletter | June 2022
Resources to Help Identify the Five Levels of Finish
You’ve designed a beautiful building, so why not finish it beautifully? Critical lighting, texture and paint color will all affect the final impression. Understanding the five levels of finish and using these industry-accepted guidelines will help you choose the level of finish that best suits your clients’ expectations.
To achieve the ideal finish, clearly indicate the required finish level for each area within the project documents. There are important nuances to the finish levels, particularly between levels 2 and 3 and levels 4 and 5, so pay close attention. Misinterpretation of the levels can lead to uncomfortable jobsite meetings and finger pointing.
Based on the Gypsum Association’s GA-214-2021, “Levels of Finish for Gypsum Panel Products,” ProForm Finishing Products has three new resources to help clarify those areas that cause the most confusion.
"The GA-214-2015 introduced mock walls to set and confirm owner expectations for those “critical light” walls. The recently released GA-214-2021 has added scope and context to this process. Review this section carefully to clarify the intent of the mock-up and procedures to getting it correct."
Thad Goodman
Thad Goodman
Construction Design ManagerNational Gypsum Company
Product Spotlight: ProForm Products with Dust-Tech
Looking to reduce jobsite airborne dust? Then specify ProForm® All-Purpose with Dust-Tech® Joint Compound or ProForm® Lite Blue™ with Dust-Tech® Joint Compound. Where a high concentration of dust is a concern, one of these ready mix joint compounds is a must. Both formulas reduce airborne dust by 60% and are ideal for use in hospitals, schools, college dorms, assisted living facilities and more.
Need to repair cracks in plaster walls or laminate gypsum board to other surfaces? ProForm All-Purpose with Dust-Tech Joint Compound is good for all phases of finishing, texturing, patching and renovations. Make this your go-to product.
ProForm Lite Blue with Dust-Tech offers the same features and benefits as ProForm All-Purpose with Dust-Tech but is 30% lighter. Both have enhanced protection against mold and will sand without clogging the sandpaper. Cleanup for both is quick and easy. Consult your Construction Designer Manager if you’re not sure which product to use for your project.
Advantages
- Reduces airborne dust by up to 60% allowing for quick and easy cleanup
- Enhanced protection against mold
- Sands without clogging sandpaper
"The GA 214-2021 is the rule book for finishing gypsum board partitions. I know you will agree: Improper specifications or finishing of the gypsum board will result in an uncomfortable jobsite meeting. Specifying a particular Level of Finish for each room, taking into consideration critical lighting, paint color and sheen, these will all go a long way toward assembling a successful project."
Scott Hughes
Scott Hughes
Construction Design ManagerNational Gypsum CompanyProject Profile: Winthrop Center
Courtesy of MP Boston | SteelblueArchitect: Handel Architects LLP, Boston, MA
Owner: MP Boston, Boston, MA
General Contractor: Suffolk Construction Company, Boston, MA
Drywall Subcontractor: Century Drywall, Inc., Lincoln, RI
When completed, this 1.8-million square feet of residential, business and retail space will meet LEED Platinum standards. Meeting even more rigorous certifications, the Winthrop Center will be the largest Passive House office building in the world. Dubbed Boston’s “next great public space,” it will invigorate the city’s financial district. Winthrop Center is slated to be a year-round premier gathering place for art shows and farmer’s markets along with permanent retail shops and restaurants.
Need resources to take to the jobsite?
You can't be too careful when your project design is on the line. Your Construction Design Managers can provide print materials to take along to the jobsite. These will help manage expectations and spell out finish requirements.
You can also schedule NGC's AIA continuing education program, Finishing Gypsum Board: Because Appearance Matters, which provides you the tools to be proactive about specifying the right level of finish, and saves everyone time and headaches – before any paint touches the wall.
For more information or to schedule a continuing education session, contact your construction design manager today. Let us help you design and build better together!
