Removing a textured (popcorn) ceiling costs between $ 𝟏 𝐭𝐨 $ 𝟑 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭 for basic scraping, cleaning, and disposal. If you include repairing, skim-coating, priming, and painting, the total jumps to $ 𝟐 𝐭𝐨 $ 𝟔 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭.
Key Takeaways. Financial Return: The popcorn ceiling removal ROI is often high, as a modernized look can prevent buyers from negotiating the listing price down. Aesthetic Appeal: Choosing a smooth ceiling vs popcorn ceiling instantly brightens a room, making spaces feel significantly larger and cleaner.
We are 5 - 6 a sqft to scrape, skim coat, prime and paint. It's much more work to go flat on a ceiling than knockdown texture. You could end up painting walls as well.
Removing a textured ceiling is moderately difficult, primarily because it is incredibly messy, physically exhausting, and time-consuming. While the basic process of wetting and scraping unpainted texture is straightforward, repairing the underlying drywall and cleaning up afterward are the most challenging parts.
As of May 2026, the cost to remove popcorn ceiling texture typically ranges from $1 to $6 per square foot, with a common average of roughly $2 per square foot for basic scraping and disposal. For a standard 500-square-foot room, homeowners usually pay between $500 and $3,000 for removal, repair, and painting.
Removing a popcorn ceiling can increase home value by adding around $2,500 to your home's sale price, helping attract modern buyers. Expect to pay $1,000 to $3,100 for popcorn ceiling removal, with costs reaching $6,000 or more for high ceilings or large homes.
Removing a textured (popcorn) ceiling is a messy but highly satisfying DIY project. The process involves four main steps: testing for asbestos, preparing the room, wetting the texture, and scraping it clean.
No, not all textured ceilings have asbestos. While it was commonly used in textured and "popcorn" ceilings for its fire-resistant and acoustic properties, many were made with safer materials like drywall mud or styrofoam. The use of asbestos in ceiling textures was phased out in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
While classic "popcorn" textures are widely considered outdated and are actively removed by modern homeowners, subtle ceiling textures are very much in style. Current design trends favor understated, modern textures over heavy, old-fashioned patterns.
In some cases, you can skim coat over a textured ceiling to make it smooth. Depending on the type of popcorn or texture you have though, it's not always possible. Usually, you can install new 1/4″ thick drywall on top of the existing textured drywall, if you don't want to remove the texture.
An orange peel ceiling texture is a slightly bumpy, soft-looking design popular in modern homes. The subtle appearance is smoother than a knockdown texture and typically easier to clean than most other ceiling textures.
Yes, you can absolutely paint a textured ceiling. Because textured (or "popcorn") ceilings are highly porous and soak up a lot of paint, the trick is to use a thick nap roller (at least 3/4 inch) or a split-foam roller and apply the paint gently without pressing too hard, which can dislodge the texture.
Popcorn ceilings don't kill a deal—but removing them almost always adds perceived value, especially in higher-end or updated homes. Buyers read them as “hasn't been updated yet.”
Textured ceilings are experiencing a design resurgence, but with a modern twist. While old-school "popcorn" styles remain generally outdated, refined textures like skim-coating, knockdown, sculptural plasterwork, and exposed wood are highly sought after to add warmth and character to a room.
Houses have textured ceilings primarily as a cost-effective shortcut for builders to hide imperfections, such as uneven drywall joints and plastering mistakes. Ceilings naturally catch harsh lighting that exposes flaws, so textures act as camouflage.
Popcorn ceilings were popular from 1945 to the early 1990s. Popcorn ceilings without asbestos are still available for use today. Textured ceiling covering is useful for acoustic insulation and covering up imperfections. But they have fallen out of fashion and are uncommon in new homes.
Smooth ceilings and knockdown texture are the top choices. Smooth finishes are preferred for modern, high-end, or minimalist spaces, while knockdown (a mottled, dimensional look) is widely used to conceal minor imperfections. Skip trowel is also trending for a rustic, artisan plaster look.
Consider popcorn ceiling removal if: You're renovating and want a clean, modern aesthetic. Your ceiling shows damage, stains, or discoloration that paint can't hide. You're preparing to sell your home and want to maximize appeal.
While there is no completely safe level of asbestos exposure, a single 30-minute exposure is generally considered low-risk and highly unlikely to cause illness. Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, are typically linked to heavy, long-term or repeated occupational exposure over many years.
A popcorn ceiling project might not be a deal breaker for everyone, but it can turn away more buyers than you'd think, especially in a competitive market. Here's what happens when you remove that textured ceiling: Perceived value increases because the home looks updated and well-maintained.
In the U.S., the EPA banned spray-applied asbestos in 1973. However, this didn't include dry-mixed ceiling textures (like popcorn). A comprehensive ban on most asbestos-containing building products took effect in 1989. Because suppliers were allowed to sell existing stock, ceilings built or renovated before the mid-1980s may still contain asbestos.
Max Strip Painted Popcorn Ceiling remover is designed specifically to remove painted popcorn ceilings and other types of textured drywall with multi-layered paint. This formula allows you to remove painted textured coatings safely and easily.
Ceilings are being treated as the "fifth wall" in interior design, moving away from plain white to become a primary focal point. Key trends include bold colors and high-gloss paints, intricate moldings, integrated tech lighting, and natural materials.
Masonry, Brick, Stucco (Popcorn Ceilings) and Plaster:
KILZ Ceiling Paint may be used on clean, dry, aged masonry surfaces. New masonry must be allowed to cure (dry) at least 30 days before applying KILZ Stainblocking Ceiling Paint.