Should You Remove Your Popcorn Textured Ceiling?

Many homes that were built in the 1940s through to the 1980s most likely have or used to have popcorn ceilings. These surfaces are simple to install and relatively affordable compared to other ceiling surfaces. These are two of the main reasons why popcorn ceilings existed at all. Plus, homeowners actually didn’t mind the look of popcorn ceilings back then. But things have changed, and homeowners are much more sophisticated when it comes to the style of their homes. While ceilings might often be overlooked, they are actually one of the more important surfaces in a home. Their texture, colour, and overall condition can play a role in the look and feel of a home, not to mention is value. Whether you’re looking to give your home a facelift or are considering selling and want to improve the look of your home for buyers, removing those unsightly popcorn ceilings is a must. The question is, should you remove them yourself? Before we answer that question, let’s run down the typical methods that are used to remove popcorn textured ceilings: Scraping method – This method involves scraping the sprayed-on material using a utility knife to reveal the surface beneath. As you can imagine, this method can take a while and will require a lot of elbow grease. Most likely, there will also be some patch-up work required to repair any imperfections left behind from all that scraping. This method works, but there is always the chance of asbestos being present in the material. If that’s the case, there is no way you should remove the popcorn ceiling on your own, as releasing asbestos particles into the air from scraping can create a hazardous environment in your home. As such, the scraping method should be left to the ceiling professionals. Drywall method – Rather than scraping off the material to remove it, the drywall method simply involves laying ceiling drywall on top of the popcorn ceiling. That material is still there, but it’s completely covered and out of sight, and there’s no concern about releasing any asbestos should it be present. That said, laying ceiling drywall definitely requires the help of a few people. There’s no way you’d be able to do this job on your own, so you’d be much better off calling on the experts to do it for you. Skim coat method – You can always take some quick-set drywall mud, joint compound, and finish compound to smooth over top of the popcorn ceiling to create a new texture. While you won’t get a completely smooth surface, you’ll be able to create a unique texture that’s much more attractive. But you’ll first need to ensure that the substrate is structurally secure, considering the fact that adding a wet product on top may add more weight than the ceiling is able to handle. If it’s not strong enough, the ceiling material can actually come down. Again, a ceiling contractor will likely be needed before getting started. As you can see, removing popcorn ceilings is not a DIY type of job. Instead, call in the experts at The Ceiling Specialists to get the job done for you!