Can you skim over textured ceiling?

Author: Krystal Koelpin  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

When smoothing over artex, work on small areas at a time and apply it thinly to the ceiling. For this task you could use a roller but I'm not a fan of this approach as it's too messy in my opinion and I prefer to use my trusty skimming tool for initial application and spreading.

How can I cover a textured ceiling without removing it?

There are four popular options for covering over the ceiling: covering them with ordinary drywall, using a prefinished grid-plank system such as Armstrong's Easy-Up grid system, attaching furring strips, and then installing traditional tongue-and-groove planks or beadboard paneling on the ceiling, or skim coating.

How much to skim coat a textured ceiling?

Average skim coat cost

The cost to skim coat walls is $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot, depending on the room size and height. Skim coating drywall ceilings costs $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. Skimming a 12'x12' room costs $580 to $800 on average for the walls and ceiling and adds a smooth finish.

How to make a textured ceiling smooth?

You can do this with a random orbit sander. if you have a small space, or Hercule and arm strength. Or you can rent a drywall sander from Home Depot. This method is much dustier, but it works great.

What is the best way to get rid of a textured ceiling?

You can either take a power sander and sand the texture off of your ceiling, or you can wet it and scrape it. Ultimately, we chose to wet it and scrape it, because although you still end up with a mess there is less dust in the air and you aren't maneuvering a somewhat-weighty power tool over your head.

Plastering Over Artex DIY

Can you skim coat over a textured ceiling?

Skim coating is a process of transforming textured surfaces, such as popcorn ceilings, into smooth and modern finishes. It's becoming increasingly popular among homeowners who want to update the look of their interior spaces without investing in a complete remodel.

Is it expensive to remove textured ceiling?

Removing popcorn ceiling costs $2 to $6 per square foot or $2,000 to $9,000 on average with refinishing. Scraping the popcorn texture costs $1 to $2 per square foot, while retexturing and painting the ceiling cost $1 to $2 per square foot each. Most contractor quotes include texture, paint, or both.

Can you sand down a textured ceiling?

Sand down the areas you filled in with joint compound using a sanding block. Wipe down the ceiling with a damp cloth to remove any dust, and clean up your mess, it's time to paint! We have painted all of our ceilings after removing the texture with this paint in a flat finish.

What is the cheapest way to cover a ceiling?

A budget-friendly option to cover a textured ceiling is using paint. Simply apply a flat or matte paint over the texture for a smoother look. Another affordable choice is installing beadboard or thin plywood panels directly onto the textured surface.

How much to skim a ceiling over artex?

Expect to pay between £250 and £550 to have Artex removed from a wall or ceiling by plastering over it.

Why is skim coating so expensive?

The cost of skim coating is made up of materials, tools, and labor, and the majority of the cost goes toward labor. A contractor usually includes supplies in their estimate, but it's best to double-check when obtaining a quote.

Does removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?

We've all seen popcorn ceilings before, and while they were popular through the '80s, they've since fallen out of favor. 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.

What is the coverage of 1 bag of skim coat?

Coverage Depending on surface conditions, A 20kg bag covers about 12-14m². Clean Up Clean all tools with water immediately after use.

Are textured ceilings outdated?

Popcorn ceilings, once a popular design element, are now seen as outdated and unattractive. Removing them can have a significant impact on your home's aesthetics and air quality.

What is the cheapest way to get rid of popcorn ceiling?

Scraping is the most common and cost-effective method for removing popcorn ceilings. This approach involves manually removing the texture using specialized tools.

How much does it cost to skim coat a popcorn ceiling?

The cost to skim coat over a averages $300 to $450 or $1 to $1.50 per square foot. This involves the process of applying a thin layer of plaster directly over the texture, rather than removing it first, and can cut down on the project price by taking away the removal expenses.

How to cover a textured ceiling?

You have four options: remove the texture and then patch/paint, skim coat the ceiling, install 1/4" drywall over the current ceiling and then tape/mud/paint, or tear our your ceiling and replace it.

How to finish a ceiling for cheap?

Below are 15 of our favorite ceiling makeover projects that only look expensive.
  1. 01 of 15. Add Molding to the Ceiling. ...
  2. 02 of 15. Don't Forget About Wallpaper. ...
  3. 03 of 15. Drape Some Fabric. ...
  4. 04 of 15. Paint a Mural. ...
  5. 05 of 15. Apply Some Decals. ...
  6. 06 of 15. Cozy Up With Wood. ...
  7. 07 of 15. Go Glam With Tulle. ...
  8. 08 of 15. Grab Some Cool Tiles.

Can you use peel and stick tile on a ceiling?

Her trick? Peel-and-stick tiles. In her TikTok video, she buys Norway Oak tiles from Smart Tiles and proceeds to cut the stickers, using a pair of scissors and a utility knife for precision. It takes a bit of work to apply the tiles on the ceiling, but the effort is worth it.

What is the easiest way to remove textured ceiling?

If you prefer to moisten the area, wet a small section of the ceiling with a bottle of warm water. Apply enough water to loosen the material without causing damage to the drywall underneath. Make several passes if necessary. Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the material to absorb the water, then begin scraping.

Can textured ceilings be smoothed?

Another top tip is to use a damp cloth of sponge on any imperfections, wait until the plaster is almost dry and gently smooth out any lumps or bumps with the sponge or cloth and you can blend them in to create a perfectly smooth surface.

How much does it cost to remove textured ceilings?

If you are able to scrape it off, it is not painted. If it doesn't come off then it is painted. The cost to remove your popcorn ceiling if it has been painted can range from $4.50 – $8.50 (per square foot). In 2022, the average cost to remove your popcorn ceiling that has been painted ranges from $4,950 to $9,350.

Why do homes have textured ceilings?

Ceiling textures can add a unique character to a room and provide sound insulation and noise reduction. Popcorn ceiling texture was a popular choice in homes built before 1980 due to its ability to conceal imperfections and provide these benefits at a low cost.

What year did they stop using asbestos in popcorn ceilings?

The use of asbestos in popcorn ceilings was banned in the United States in 1978. Even after the 1978 ban, however, manufacturers were allowed to use up their existing stocks of asbestos-containing products. Homes built or renovated before the mid-1980s could still have asbestos in their popcorn ceilings.

Should I keep my textured ceiling?

If it's still functional, there's no need to get rid of it, thus saving them time, money, and unwarranted stress in the years to come.

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