Popcorn ceilings offer a range of advantages, including their ability to conceal imperfections, absorb sound, and provide fire resistance. However, these benefits must be weighed against the disadvantages, such as difficulty to clean, susceptibility to damage, and potential health concerns associated with asbestos.
Textured ceilings are dated, difficult to paint, may crack or peel and in some cases the mix contained asbestos which is known to cause cancer in humans. Deteriation or movement of the ceiling could allow fibres to enter the air within habitable buildings and why it has a negative reaction among many people.
Smooth ceilings can significantly improve the way light interacts with your space. Popcorn ceilings tend to cast shadows and can make rooms feel darker. By removing the textured surface, you'll create a more reflective surface that allows light to bounce around the room, making it feel brighter and more inviting.
Understanding the Risks of Popcorn Ceilings
Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. While intact popcorn ceilings pose minimal risk, any damage or disturbance to the ceiling can release asbestos fibers into the air, increasing the potential for exposure.
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. Have a listing with an awful popcorn ceiling that needs to go? Tell us about it!
If these ceilings were not replaced, homes and other buildings may still contain asbestos. People who live in pre-1990s homes should assume popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. Materials installed after 1995 likely did not contain asbestos.
First, remember that removing a popcorn ceiling is a really dirty job. Second, patching a hole is just, well, patching a hole. You should consider simply covering the whole ugly mess with a new layer of drywall instead. It's probably the easiest way to get the best results.
According to painting experts, popcorn ceiling removal costs range from $1,923 to $3,876 with an average price of $2,899 to hire a professional. The average sqft cost to remove popcorn ceilings ranges from $5 to $9 per square foot. This includes all labor, preparation work, and materials to do the job right.
This texture was created by spraying a mixture of materials like Styrofoam, paint, and in many older homes, asbestos. Popular from the 1950s through the 1980s, popcorn ceilings were a hallmark of the post-war housing boom. They were quick to apply, hid imperfections, and even helped with noise control.
Flat ceilings are by far the most popular ceilings in homes today. Also called conventional ceilings, these ceilings are usually 7 to 10 feet tall, flat and finished with drywall, then painted.
Skim-coating a popcorn ceiling is the cheapest method for covering it. It doesn't require the removal of the popcorn texture, which is messy and potentially hazardous if the popcorn contains asbestos. This method requires three coats.
If you own a home that was built before 1980, or your home had a significant remodel before 1980, there is a good chance the popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. If there is any other textured paint in the home, and it was applied before 1980, it may also contain asbestos.
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.
Popcorn Ceilings Can Be Vulnerable To Mold
Particularly the seams where drywall, wood slats or other construction materials met. Unfortunately, the textured surface of a popcorn ceiling and its microscopic pores also makes it easy to attract mold spores.
Cost-Effective: Covering a popcorn ceiling is often more budget-friendly than removing it, as it requires fewer materials and less labor. Time-Saving: The process of covering a popcorn ceiling is generally quicker and less labor-intensive compared to removal, making it a more manageable DIY project for many homeowners.
Do Popcorn Ceilings Contain Asbestos? Popcorn ceilings made before 1980 might contain asbestos. This mineral poses a serious health risk. If untouched, these ceilings are generally safe.
Average Timeline: Small Rooms: For small rooms such as bathrooms or closets, popcorn ceiling removal can typically be completed in one to two days. Medium-Sized Rooms: Average-sized rooms like bedrooms or living rooms may take two to three days to complete.
Schutte estimates that removing a popcorn ceiling would add $25,000 to $35,000 in value for a large estate executive home.
Using an airless paint sprayer to paint a textured ceiling saves you time and preserves the appearance while providing a more complete and uniform coverage. Safety Notice: Whenever operating spray equipment, take proper safety precautions, stay alert, and be mindful of potential hazards.
They Dampen Noise – The textured, thick, and porous surface of a popcorn ceiling helps it muffle and absorb sounds.
Your older home probably did not come with an inventory of all asbestos containing materials, but if the house in which you live was built before 1980, there's a good chance that you'll find asbestos containing materials in the walls, ceiling, roof or floors – or all of the above.
They save time and costs: Popcorn ceilings can be inexpensive and quick to spray on a ceiling, substantially saving time and labor costs. They hide flaws: “Finishing drywall using joint compound is a tedious process, and popcorn texture hides any blemishes that would otherwise be visible,” Fulmer says.
Popcorn ceilings can collect dust, allergens, and even mold spores, which can deteriorate indoor air quality. By removing these textured surfaces, you reduce the potential for these particles to accumulate, leading to cleaner and healthier air in your home—beneficial for those with allergies or respiratory conditions.