Popcorn Ceiling, also known as stipple or acoustic ceiling, is a ceiling treated with one of a variety of spray-on or paint-on treatments. At a glance, they look like popcorn, hence the name. These are often found in residential spaces and are valued for their noise-canceling abilities.
Full Answer
How do you replace a popcorn ceiling?
Remove the Popcorn Ceiling
- Prepare to scrape off the textured material. ...
- Paint scrapers help extend your reach when paired with a handle or painters pole.
- You may scrap each section while it’s dry, but applying a bit of water often helps moisten and remove the material if the process becomes difficult. ...
How much does it cost to repair a popcorn ceiling?
Popcorn Ceiling Repair Cost. Popcorn ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot or $200 to $600 on average to fix holes, cracks, and seams, and to apply a patch. The average cost to spray popcorn ceiling is $2 to $5 per square foot for scraping and restoring the popcorn texture and painting in an entire house.
How to repair popcorn ceiling?
- Step one: Use a drop cloth to cover the floor underneath the damaged area of the ceiling.
- Step two: Use a putty knife to scrape off the damaged part of the ceiling. ...
- Step six: Ensure that there are no air gaps by blending the mixture with the old ceiling. ...
- Step one: Cover walls, carpet, and furniture to avoid overspray.
What's the problem with popcorn ceilings?
Popcorn ceilings are considered bad for these quick reasons:
- They're an old construction cost-saving shortcut
- There's a risk of asbestos and lead
- They dim the room
- They leave a mess when they peel off
What is popcorn ceiling patch used for?
It conceals holes, scuffs, scrapes, cracks and other damage. Repairs and duplicates original texture. Handy 1 quart size is perfect for large ceiling texture repairs.
Can you patch a popcorn ceiling?
0:472:40How To Repair Popcorn Ceiling Texture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a sweeping back-and-forth motion feathering the texture into the surrounding. Area shake theMoreUsing a sweeping back-and-forth motion feathering the texture into the surrounding. Area shake the can periodically during use for large repair.
What is popcorn ceiling?
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 long does it take for popcorn ceiling patch to dry?
DRY & RECOAT TIMES Allow more time at cooler temperatures. Dries to the touch in 5-10 minutes and to handle in 10-15 minutes. Allow to dry for 24 hours before painting. Heavier textures may take more time to dry.
How can I cover my popcorn ceiling without removing it?
1:5213:34How To Cover Popcorn Ceiling Without Removing It - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI hold the taping knife into the corner at an angle. And then i drag it across the popcorn to evenlyMoreI hold the taping knife into the corner at an angle. And then i drag it across the popcorn to evenly distribute the joint. Compound.
What causes popcorn ceiling to fall off?
Popcorn ceilings, also called textured or acoustic ceilings, have a rough texture on them. Because the texture is applied over the existing dry wall on the ceiling, it can peel off over time due to moisture, impact damage or simply old age.
What does a popcorn ceiling look like?
Generally, popcorn ceilings are easy to spot as these ceilings have been textured with a material such as styrofoam or stucco, giving them a bumpy appearance that is reminiscent of popcorn.
Why are houses built with popcorn ceilings?
The original purpose of popcorn ceilings was to make life a little easier. Popcorn ceilings began as a cost-effective means of making a home look nice without all the extra effort of fixing, painting, sanding, repainting, and general maintenance and upkeep.
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.
How much does it cost to repair popcorn ceiling?
The average rate ranges from $898 to $2,847, with most homeowners ending up paying about $1,853 for professional removal and finish.
Is it better to spray or roll popcorn ceiling?
What Type of Roller is Recommended? Painting a popcorn ceiling is much easier (and faster) with a paint sprayer. But if you don't have access to a paint sprayer or renting one is not an option, Poellinger recommends choosing a roller that matches the thickness of the texture you are painting.
What color paint matches popcorn ceiling?
Lighter shades are great for small rooms, while dark colors can help a room feel cozier when the ceilings are uncomfortably high. Other good options for painting a popcorn ceiling include light grays and yellows that help to hide the flaws.
How do you touch up a popcorn ceiling?
Instead of using a standard foam roller to touch up a popcorn ceiling, use a split-foam roller. This type of roller is made up of foam discs glued together on the roller base. As you paint over a textured area, the discs separate and roll individually.
Does removing popcorn ceiling increase 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 do you repair a hole in a textured ceiling?
Step 1: Using Drywall Compound, Put a Layer in and around the Hole. ... Step 2: Using Tape, Bind the Bristles of an Old Paintbrush into a Round or Oval Shape. ... Step 3: Load up the Bristles with More Compound.Step 4: Apply the Compound from the Bristles in a Quick Up-Down Manner around the Whole Newly-Patched Area.More items...•
How do you match popcorn ceilings?
0:524:35DIY - How to blend popcorn texture with a sponge on a ceiling repairYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so here we go with the sponge texture match with the popcorn. First I'm going to apply itMoreAll right so here we go with the sponge texture match with the popcorn. First I'm going to apply it to the corners with the 6-inch taping. Knife.
What is popcorn ceiling?
Half a century ago, popcorn ceilings were all the rage, cropping up above brightly colored walls, psychedelic patterns, and shiny furniture. Less expensive than traditional hand-troweled plaster, the sprayed-on technique—which actually resembles cottage cheese more than popcorn—camouflaged ceiling imperfections, offered a measure of fire-resistance, and provided noise-dampening benefits. These days, the speckled ceiling design tends to date a room’s style. Fortunately, whether you want to get rid of a popcorn ceiling altogether or bring new life to the retro look, you’ve got options.
How to test for asbestos in popcorn ceiling?
You can test a popcorn ceiling for the presence of asbestos by carefully scraping a small sample into a plastic bag and having it tested at an EPA-accredited lab. While homeowners are allowed to remove a popcorn ceiling that contains the material, a professional asbestos remediation company should do the job. Contact your local waste authority before having asbestos removed to determine the best (and legal) way to dispose of it.
Can you patch popcorn ceiling texture?
Thinned drywall compound, which is commonly used to texture new ceilings today, is not recommended for patching popcorn ceiling texture since it contains water, which can cause the existing popcorn texture to come off. Advertisement. Photo: istockphoto.com.
Can popcorn ceilings contain asbestos?
That means that popcorn ceilings installed as late as the mid-’80s could contain asbestos, and, when disturbed, disperse microscopic fibrils known to cause lung-scarring illnesses and even lung cancer if inhaled. You can test a popcorn ceiling for the presence of asbestos by carefully scraping a small sample into a plastic bag ...
Can you paint popcorn texture over white?
Popcorn texture comes in standard ceiling-white and, for a uniform look, it’s a good idea to prime the ceiling before spraying it on. The texture is also paintable, so if you want a color other than ceiling-white, plan on painting over the texture after it dries.
Can you remove 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.
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.
How to get popcorn flakes out of popcorn?
Scrape the stained or damaged popcorn material with a putty knife, going about one inch around the damaged area. Hold a scrap of cardboard underneath to catch the falling flakes.
Is popcorn ceiling removal dangerous?
Also, popcorn ceiling removal can be a dangerous project if your home was built between the 1950s and 1980s. There’s a good chance that it may contain carcinogenic asbestos, according to the Mesothelioma Center .
Can popcorn ceilings be repaired?
A cracking or water-damaged popcorn ceiling is difficult to repair and hard to clean. Moreover, it can easily catch dust. It’s best to repair it at the earliest.
Can you use spray texture on popcorn ceiling?
You could also use a premixed spray texture ideal for the patch and repair of stained popcorn ceilings. Keep in mind that such products are only suitable for small popcorn ceiling repairs.
Can you touch up a popcorn ceiling?
Yes. A popcorn ceiling texture repair although a little time-consuming is doable. Keep in mind that a cracked popcorn ceiling can take away from the look of your living area, and is best repaired as soon as possible. You can fix a cracked popcorn ceiling with a few simple tools and supplies.
