Knockdown texture

Knockdown texture is created by watering down joint compound to a soupy consistency.

The joint compound will begin to form stalactites as it dries.

The trowel is then run over the surface of the drywall, knocking off the stalactites and leaving the mottled finish.

When knocking this down, the mud is allowed to dry for a short period, then skimmed with a knockdown knife – a large, usually plastic (to reduce noticeable edges) knife.

Knockdown texture reduces construction costs because it conceals imperfections in the drywall that normally require higher more expensive stages of sand and prime for drywall installers.