* Texturing mud can be ready-mix topping compound or specially designed for the look you are trying to achieve. Texturing compounds often come in dry powder form and are blended with water using a hand mixer or a drill and paddle.
* Aggregated ceiling textures have course to fine aggregates like polystyrene or perlite particles already mixed in to achieve popcorn or cottage cheese texture and other rough surfaces.
* Orange peel and knock down textures are for walls and ceilings. The effects are produced with smooth (un-aggregated) compound, such as lightweight, all‑purpose joint compound.
* Acoustical textures, used for ceilings and other non-contact surfaces, are made from a compound designed to absorb sound.
* Texturing mud is applied to walls and ceilings with pneumatic spray equipment, such as a hopper gun, which can be rented along with an air compressor to drive the sprayer. Texture may also be applied with a long-handled paint roller. When mixed to a thicker consistency, texturing mud may be applied like joint compound using finishing trowels or knives.
* Adjacent finished surfaces need to be protected diligently when texturing. A paper roller that lays 12" masking paper with masking tape along one edge comes in very handy, as does a spray shield. Use a knock-down knife to flatten the peaks when creating a knock-down texture. A 12" knife can also be used, though it may leave edge tracks. Any number of brushes can be used to stipple or swirl compound into interesting textures.
