AvoGuide · level 5 plaster finish
Levels of finish (Level 4 vs Level 5): what it means for your quote
AS/NZS 2589 sets levels of finish for plasterboard. Level 4 is the standard finish for walls and ceilings that will be painted, and applies unless something else is specified. Level 5 is the highest level, for gloss or darker paints and strong glancing light, and costs more. Agree the level in writing and measure Level 5 areas on their own lines.
Levels 3, 4 and 5 in plain words
| Level | What it is for |
|---|---|
| 3 | Areas that won’t be decorated — above ceilings, inside service shafts |
| 4 | The standard finish where the board will be painted; the default unless specified |
| 5 | The highest finish, when specified: a surface “as free as possible from surface defects and visual blemishes” |
Level 4 is the default
Dulux Trade notes that most domestic and commercial buildings are finished to Level 4. If the drawings and specification say nothing, price Level 4 — and say so in your inclusions.
When Level 5 is worth it
Level 5 is recommended where higher-sheen paints or darker feature colours will show imperfections, and where critical lighting — low-angle glancing light or spot lighting — falls across flat or low-sheen painted surfaces. Long hallways with downlights and walls beside big windows are typical.
Agree it in writing
The level of finish is easy to argue about after the paint goes on. Name it in the scope, room by room if it varies: “Level 4 throughout; Level 5 to the living room feature wall.”
What it changes in the takeoff
Measure Level 5 areas as their own lines in m², because the labour is different. The board quantity doesn’t change; the finishing does. Your painter will want the same split.
A note on editions
Some manufacturer pages still cite the 2007 edition of AS/NZS 2589. The current edition is 2017; buy it from Standards Australia if you need the detail.
Sources
- AS/NZS 2589:2017 Gypsum linings — Application and finishing (summary)
- Dulux Trade — Level of finish for plasterboard