How to Popcorn Your Ceiling.
- 1. Remove the furniture from the room. Before you apply a popcorn ceiling, you should remove all of the furniture from the room. The paint mixture may ...
- 2. Cover your floors with a drop cloth. You may also want to protect your floors from potential drips. Lay a drop cloth down on the floors and tape ...
- 3. Clean the ceiling with soap and water. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water and use a sponge to wipe your ceilings. This will remove any dust, dirt, ...
- 4. Apply painter’s tape and newspaper to the top edge of the wall. You can protect the walls by applying newspaper secured with painter’s tape to the ...
What is the best way to clean a popcorn ceiling?
- Mix the powdered TSP and hot water in a large bucket. ...
- Dip a sponge into the TSP solution, wring out the excess water and lightly dab the smoke stain until it lifts.
- If you have an entire ceiling to clean, use a long napped roller dipped in the TSP solution and gently roll it on. ...
- Let the ceiling sit overnight and keep the room well ventilated. ...
How to make a popcorn ceiling with a brush?
Prepare your room
- Remove or cover furniture and fixture Painting an overhead surface, especially a popcorn ceiling, means there will be paint drips, so you need to protect your furniture and ...
- Protect yourself Protective gear for painting This is to prevent paint, debris, or dust from falling in your face. ...
- Clean and repair the ceiling
How do you hang something from a popcorn ceiling?
- Dampen a cloth or paper towel with all-purpose cleanser.
- Climb up the ladder and wipe down the approximate spot on the ceiling where you'd like to hang the item.
- Climb back up the ladder and attach a non-damaging adhesive hook to the textured ceiling or a suction cup with hook, designed for ceiling uses.
What to do after removing a popcorn ceiling?
What to Do After Removing Popcorn Ceiling
- After Scraping. Assuming you have already gone through the time-consuming process of scraping the popcorn texture off of your ceiling and then wiping it down, you’re ready to begin the ...
- Protect the Drywall. ...
- Get Your Ceiling Primed and Painted. ...
- Frequently Asked Questions. ...
Is it hard to popcorn a ceiling?
Very few things date a space like a popcorn ceiling—and not in a charming way. They're difficult to repair, hard to clean, and catch dust easily; but despite all these cons, their popularity exploded beginning in the late 1950s because they made easy work of finishing ceilings and hiding imperfections.
Why do people put popcorn on ceilings?
Many homes built in the late 1930s through the 1990s have popcorn ceilings or some type of texture applied overhead. It was used to cover up a lot of flaws in the ceiling. It was time-effective and cost-efficient. Often called an acoustic ceiling, it also served the purpose to absorb sound and reduce noise.
How do you prep a ceiling for popcorn texture?
Prep the ceiling edges to ensure you'll be able to achieve a neat edge where the ceiling meets the wall. Don your dust mask and protective eyewear and, using a flathead screwdriver, gently scrape about 1/4 inch of the popcorn surface off the ceiling all along the edges.
Why are popcorn ceilings so terrible?
To soften the light. A less scary, but still unpleasant, reason that many detest popcorn ceilings is because of the harsh light it introduces into a room. The bumpy surface causes light to bounce off the ceilings and create harsh shadows.
Does popcorn ceiling lower home value?
Removing popcorn ceilings will almost always increase a home's value. Not only is the design trend no longer desirable, but it also poses safety concerns for home buyers. To understand further, it helps to learn more about why popcorn ceilings were once a popular design choice—as well as why they no longer are.
How long does popcorn ceiling last?
From its inception well through the 80s, popcorn ceilings were ubiquitous, the remnants of which can still be seen in many homes across the country. While popcorn ceilings can remain intact for decades with the proper care, many of them do show the wear and tear that comes with their life cycles.
Is it better to spray or roll popcorn ceiling?
Spray Painting Popcorn. Painting ceiling texture with only a roller is fine if the ceiling's already been painted. Painted popcorn is usually less brittle and doesn't break off onto the roller as much as unpainted texture. If the ceiling is unpainted, spraying is the best way to go, and it's a lot faster than rolling.
Can you roll on popcorn texture?
0:002:13How to roll on popcorn ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI use the home ax roll on textured popcorn. And there I'm doing about 190 square feet as you can seeMoreI use the home ax roll on textured popcorn. And there I'm doing about 190 square feet as you can see I've already done about half of it.
What roller do you use for popcorn ceiling?
A paint roller for a popcorn ceiling would be any roller pad/nap roller that is thick enough to properly apply paint to a textured ceiling. A regular roller pad might work on some popcorn ceilings, but you will have to load it up with a lot of paint, and the job will definitely go a lot slower.
Are popcorn ceilings out of fashion?
Although popcorn or textured ceiling has become outdated, some benefits are still attached to its usage. One of such is that they help to conceal imperfections on the ceiling. Such imperfections include the tape and dirt seams used for your plasterboard.
Is it safe to live with popcorn ceiling?
The ceiling will not endanger your health as long as it remains completely undisturbed or properly encapsulated. In the long run, having it professionally removed is the safest choice. A higher percentage of asbestos is worse, but popcorn ceiling is dangerous even if it is just a few percent asbestos.
When did popcorn ceilings go out of style?
Popcorn ceilings provided a cost-effective, and time-efficient, solution for many families. Not bad! However, this fad quickly fell out of style in the late '70s in the United States, and in the '90s in Canada.
Remove, redo, or even create this once-popular bumpy texture to jazz up any room in your home
Half a century ago, popcorn ceilings were all the rage, cropping up above brightly colored walls, psychedelic patterns, and shiny furniture.
Understand the Asbestos Issue
First thing’s first: Before attempting any sort of project on an existing popcorn ceiling, a homeowner should determine whether its material makeup may pose a health risk. Asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral, was the material of choice for popcorn ceilings until the substance was banned as a health hazard in 1978.
Patching Popcorn Ceilings
A popcorn ceiling damaged by unsightly stains or cracks can be patched, but obtaining an exact match of the original texture and ceiling color can be challenging. Popcorn ceiling patch products are available in spray-on aerosol cans or in premixed containers for application with a brush.
Painting Popcorn Ceilings
As long as the texture isn’t sagging, flaking, or shedding, a popcorn ceiling can simply be painted to update the look. Begin by brushing off all dust with a super-soft-bristle brush attached to an extension pole. Then apply stain blocking ceiling primer to prevent stains and water spots from bleeding through.
Hiding Popcorn Ceilings
You can hide a popcorn ceiling by installing rigid foam ceiling tiles, drywall panels, or even wood planking right over the existing texture. Feather-light decorative foam ceiling panels can be installed with adhesive, while drywall and wood must be attached to the ceiling joists with nails or screws.
Removing Popcorn Ceilings
Unpainted popcorn ceilings are not necessarily difficult to remove, but the process is messy and time-consuming. After spraying the ceiling with water to saturate the texture, which causes it to release, it’s simply a matter of scraping it away with a large putty knife or taping trowel.
Give Your Ceiling New Popcorn Pizzazz
Homeowners intent on hiding ceiling imperfections with subtle popcorn texture are in luck: Today’s popcorn ceilings are asbestos-free and easy to apply with a hopper gun ( view example on Amazon ), often available for rent at lumberyards and home centers. It comes in dry powder form and is mixed with water per package instructions.
What Is a Popcorn Ceiling?
Also known as acoustic, stipple, or (disparagingly) cottage cheese-style ceilings, popcorn ceilings feature a dense, bumpy texture. Popcorn ceilings first gained popularity in the mid-20th century.
4 Benefits of Popcorn Ceiling Texture
Home ceilings don’t start out perfectly smooth. In fact, it takes a lot of work to cover taped sheetrock seams and other imperfections.
4 Drawbacks of Popcorn Ceiling Texture
A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into even the most outdated room. But painting a popcorn ceiling is no easy task.
Does Popcorn Ceiling Have Asbestos?
Aesthetics aside, many homeowners worry that popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. In the case of ceilings installed in the United States pre-1978, this alarming fact is true.
Type and Quantity of Paint to Use
Interior acrylic-latex paint is the best type of paint to use for popcorn ceilings. Flat or matte is the traditional sheen for ceilings, since it reduces light bounce. If you need to protect your ceiling from moisture, though, use eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint sheens.
Paint, Cover, or Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Painting a popcorn ceiling is just one way to improve its appearance. For the long-term, it's helpful to weigh painting the ceiling against covering the ceiling or removing the popcorn texture.
Safety Considerations
Some popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos. Prior to 1978, when federal law banned its use, asbestos was added to ceiling texture for its resistance to heat. Plus, the asbestos fibers helped strengthen the material. Through research, asbestos 1 has been proven to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
Instructions
Remove all objects such as chairs, tables, lamps, or smaller items that can be removed from the room. Cover the entire floor and all remaining objects with 4-mil or thicker plastic sheeting. If possible, remove ceiling light fixtures and other obstructions. If not, tape around them with painter's tape .
Tips for Painting a Popcorn Ceiling Without Mess
Regulate the amount of paint on the roller cover. Popcorn texture needs a thick coat of paint, but too much paint can soak the texture, weakening it and causing it to fall.
Why Bother Covering Popcorn Ceiling?
Choosing to simply cover your popcorn ceiling (otherwise known as textured ceiling) as opposed to removing it entirely could help you save a lot of time and money in the long run.
What Can Be Used to Cover Popcorn Ceiling?
If you choose to cover your popcorn ceiling up instead of going through the removal process, you’ll be happy to know you’ll have several affordable and time-saving options to make your ceiling look brand new, without having to remove anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
With all of this new information in mind about covering up your popcorn ceiling, it wouldn’t come as a shock to learn you might have some questions. Here are some questions frequently asked about covering up popcorn ceilings, so see if your question has already been answered:
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Popcorn Ceiling?
The national average for popcorn ceiling removal is $1,707, according to Home Advisor.
What is the Best Method for Removing Popcorn Ceilings?
Which is best? Depends on a lot of things, including the age and condition of the substrate (ceiling). We spoke with drywall and stucco expert Mike Poellinger, owner of Poellinger, Inc., in La Crosse, WI, who filled us in on everything a homeowner should know before deciding how to remove their popcorn ceiling.
How to Scrape a Popcorn Ceiling
When scraping popcorn ceilings, you'll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You'll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.
How to Cover up with Drywall
Affix ceiling-grade gypsum board, which weighs significantly less than standard wall board, right over the existing popcorn ceiling. You'll need to securely screw it into the framing and be proficient at mudding and taping for a seamless job.
Skim Coat on a New Design
Yes, it's still a texture, but according to Poellinger, it's making a comeback—and it's fairly easy for homeowners to do themselves.
Do Popcorn Ceilings Have Asbestos?
If your home was built between the 1950s and 1980s, there is a chance that the popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, according to the Mesothelioma Center. The best way to determine if your popcorn ceilings contain asbestos is to hire an abatement professional, or you can purchase a test kit.
Popcorn ceilings were all the rage back in the '60s and '70s. Applying the texture to drywall and plaster ceilings was a quick and easy way to hide imperfections and didn't require any painting afterward. But the rough texture catches lots of dust and cobwebs and it can be difficult to know how to remove popcorn ceiling. It can be a real pain to match if you have cracks or holes in need of patching. Figuring out how to remove a popcorn ceiling texture from a ceiling is a messy chore but worth the effort if the substrate underneath is in good shape. Here are some tips to take some of the pain out of popcorn ceiling removal
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Do a Scrape Test
Before you go to all the trouble of prepping the room, try scraping a small area while learning how to remove popcorn ceiling. Try it dry first, then dampen the texture with water and try again. Some texture comes off easily without water, but in most cases wetting is best.
Test for Asbestos
Any popcorn ceiling installed before 1980 might contain asbestos —a known cause of lung cancer. Before trying to figure out how to remove any popcorn ceiling texture, contact your local health department and ask about getting a sample tested.
Prep for a Big Mess
Cover floors and walls with plastic drop cloths as you begin your how to remove popcorn ceiling project. Don’t use canvas drop cloths because water can soak through. Cleanup is easier with plastic too, because you can just ball it all up when you’re done working and throw it in the trash.
Get the Furniture Out
If possible, remove all furniture from the room you’ll be working in. When learning how to remove popcorn ceiling, it is messy work, and you won’t want furniture in your way every time you move the ladder around. If moving everything out of the room isn’t possible, cluster it and cover it with drop cloths.
Remove Ceiling Fixtures and Fans
You might think it’s easier to leave light fixtures and ceiling fans in place as you figure out how to remove popcorn ceiling, but they’ll just be in your way and get covered with wet popcorn. Plus, you don’t want to accidentally spray water into an electrical fixture.
Protect Can Lights From Water Spray
If you have recessed “can” lights, stuff newspaper or rosin paper inside them to keep them dry when completing a how to remove popcorn ceilings project. Also, make sure the power to those fixtures is turned off at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.