what is popcorn ceiling texture

by Dr. Ethan Smith Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Full Answer

How to retexture a popcorn ceiling?

You shouldalso apply a 1 to 2 skim coats of compound over the popcorn to get a smooth surface prior to re-texturing. 'Go over' the ceilings by installing 3/8" sheetrock using 2" drywall screws. Then finish them off smooth or apply a new texture.

What to do with 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. ...

How to remove popcorn ceiling texture fast and easy?

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. ...

More items...

What does a popcorn ceiling look like?

What does a popcorn ceiling look like? Asbestos ceilings are frequently referred to as a “popcorn ceilings” or “stucco ceilings”. As opposed to the smooth ceilings of today's modern homes, asbestos ceilings are textured and rustic in appearance. They can be white or cream-coloured with a bumpy texture that resembles cottage cheese.

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.

How do you know if you have 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.

Why is it called a popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceilings, also called textured or acoustic ceilings, grew popular in the late 1950s. The appearance varies from a very think texture like popcorn to something like cottage cheese and even very fine like sand.

What does 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.

Should I worry about 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.

Is all popcorn ceiling asbestos?

Popcorn ceilings generally contain between 1 and 10 percent asbestos. While 1 percent may seem insignificant, it's important to note that any percentage of asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is cause for concern and should be addressed.

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.

What is the most popular ceiling texture?

Popcorn Ceiling Texture- Popcorn is the most common ceiling we see, also known as "cottage cheese" to some. This texture seems to be the most detested of homeowners we meet with on a regular basis.

When was popcorn ceiling banned?

In 1977, the U.S. Government banned the use of asbestos in ceiling finishes, and most ceilings installed after this date will not contain asbestos. It is still possible, however, that materials manufactured before 1977 were installed in homes after the ban.

Are popcorn ceilings a health hazard?

If you do have popcorn ceiling asbestos and the fibers are released, you may inhale those fibers, which increases your risk of developing serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

How do you clean popcorn ceilings?

Mix one-part bleach with four parts water in a spray bottle. Mist the discolored area and lightly dab it with a sponge, then wait a couple of hours to see if the stain comes out. If it doesn't, add more bleach to the spray bottle and try again in another area until the solution appears to be effective.

How do you update popcorn ceilings?

When looking for a way to dress up a ceiling with texture while also hiding that popcorn texture, consider adding wood or wood paneling. Covering the ceiling with tongue and groove wood planks, bead board, or another rustic wood plank or panel is a creative way to add interest to the ceiling and update the space.

What year was asbestos banned in popcorn ceilings?

Should I remove popcorn ceiling before selling?

When was asbestos last used in popcorn ceilings?

Asbestos was used in spray applied textured ceilings from 1945 to at least 1980. Exposure to asbestos and the probability of developing lung disease is high in individuals who lived with these types of ceilings in their home.

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.

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?

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 Are Popcorn Ceilings Made Of?

You can use several different materials to create the popcorn texture. In the past, the mixture would widely depend on the year your popcorn ceiling was installed. These materials include:

What color is popcorn texture?

The thickness of the texture will vary from ceiling to ceiling. When the popcorn texture is first applied, it’s generally an off-white colour . Over time the colour will be yellow, especially if there has been a lot of smoking in the home.

What is the Purpose of Popcorn Ceilings?

The purpose of popcorn ceilings has been talked about a lot over the years. There are well-grounded points on why they became so popular, how they’re useful and why the style eventually fizzled out.

What is skip trowel texture?

Unlike popcorn ceiling, skip trowel texture is applied by hand using coarse and joint compounds. It’s also good at hiding any imperfections, and you can apply it in a light, medium or heavy consistency. Knockdown Ceilings. It’s considered the successor to popcorn ceilings and is still relatively popular today.

What is the least popular ceiling style?

Out of all the styles of textured ceilings, popcorn ceilings are the least popular. They’ve become almost obsolete in new home builds as they give your home an outdated look and lowers your property value.

What is knockdown ceiling?

Knockdown Ceilings. It’s considered the successor to popcorn ceilings and is still relatively popular today. Its appearance is similar to skip trowel, but the texture looks less spread out. Creating it starts the same way as popcorn ceilings, by spraying on the texture compound.

What is Artex ceiling?

During the mid-30s, they began marketing their product “Artex,” which you could use to texture your ceiling and finish it without needing plastering skills.

What is a popcorn ceiling?

A popcorn ceiling, also known as a stipple ceiling or acoustic ceiling, is a ceiling with one of a variety of spray-on or paint-on treatments. The bumpy surface is created by tiny particles of vermiculite or polystyrene, which gives the ceiling sound-deadening properties.

What was used to make popcorn ceilings?

After the ban, popcorn ceiling materials were created using a paper-based or Styrofoam product to create the texture, rather than asbestos. Textured ceilings remain common in residential construction in the United States.

Is popcorn ceiling smooth or textured?

Since the mid-2000s, the popularity of textured popcorn ceilings has diminished significantly across North America. A trend toward more modern, clean-lined design features has influenced home improvement professionals to provide popcorn ceiling removal services. Smooth ceilings have many benefits over textured ceilings, such as their association with a high-end aesthetic, reflective bouncing of natural light (especially in combination with high gloss floors), ability to not harbor dust and allergens (only to be re-introduced into the air), and ease of patching and touching up after a drywall repair.

Why is popcorn ceiling so popular?

Its popularity rose because it is cheaper and easier than paint to apply and maintain. It hides ceiling imperfections with ease and covers stained, dirty ceilings.

How to make popcorn ceiling spray?

Then, in a large bucket, mix a standard 13-pound bag of popcorn ceiling spray with approximately 2-gallons of water. The mixture should look like a soupy or cottage cheese-like consistency.

How long does it take for a ceiling to dry before staining?

It usually will only require one coat of primer for an adequate covering. Be sure to allow the primer to dry for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

How to get paint off of a texturing gun?

Clean the equipment and tools. Clean your texturing gun with warm water first. Add a little paint solvent through the water solution to remove any excess paint off from the texturing gun. Put everything back in a dry location.

What is popcorn texture?

Also known as sprayed acoustic texture, popcorn textures have the appearance of popped corn, thus the nickname. Acoustic popcorn texture is found exclusively on the ceilings of rooms. Generally another type of texture is used on the walls. This texture is commonly found in hotel rooms built before 1990 and even some residential applications from the early 1980's and before.

Can you remove popcorn texture from ceiling?

People are usually more interested in removing this type of drywall texture from their ceilings than they are in new application. If you planning on removing popcorn texture from your ceiling or any area, please read carefully the article how to remove popcorn texture. Acoustic popcorn textures sprayed before 1978 are very likely to contain asbestos. Materials containing asbestos must be removed only by a trained and licensed professional. The government imposes strict regulations on the removal of asbestos. These regulations serve to limit the serious health risks associated with the removal of asbestos.

Can you spray popcorn texture?

Spraying popcorn texture requires the use of a special texture sprayer. The same texture sprayers are used when spraying orange peel and knockdown textures. Popcorn textures have Styrofoam as well as other materials added to the drywall mud mixture to create the puffy appearance. A large nozzle is used on the spray gun to spray popcorn texture because of the "popcorn" in the mud. The texture covers the entire surface with a thick layer therefore it will cover many imperfections in the drywall finishing.

Can you spray texture?

If you need to texture a small area because of drywall water damage or other reasons, premixed cans of spray acoustic are available in some home improvement or hardware stores. The method of application is very similar to that of spray paint. Cans of spray texture have written on them the recommended coverage rates however you may want to estimate more material as these cans usually do not cover quite as much as expected. Once the texture is applied it may be painted using an airless paint sprayer. It is not possible to effectively roll or brush paint on the surface of acoustic popcorn texture.