Instead of scraping and creating a massive mess (or dealing with hazardous asbestos), the best alternatives to removing a popcorn ceiling are covering it with new material, skim-coating over the texture, or installing decorative treatments like wood planks or ceiling tiles.
One of the simplest alternatives to scraping is removing and replacing the ceiling drywall. Alternately, you can have the ceiling layered over with new drywall.
Covering a popcorn ceiling without removing it avoids messy, time-consuming scraping. The best, longest-lasting method is to install a new layer of 1/4-inch drywall directly over the old ceiling. Other popular alternatives include glue-on ceiling tiles, wood/shiplap planking, or skim-coating.
Removing a popcorn ceiling is absolutely worth it if you want to modernize your home, improve lighting, and increase resale value. It can boost a home’s sale price, but the labor-intensive process makes it a dreaded DIY job unless the texture is unpainted.
Removing a popcorn ceiling typically costs about $2,000, but can range from around $900 to $3,000. Your actual cost will depend on your ceiling's square footage, condition and height. Asbestos testing and removal, resurfacing, cleanup and room preparation can also add to the final cost. Here's what to know.
Yes, you can paint over a popcorn ceiling, but it requires specific preparation to avoid pulling the texture off in chunks. The easiest and safest way is to spray the paint. If rolling, use a thick-nap roller and a stain-blocking primer, and apply the paint in light coats.
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.”
Once removed, the underlying ceiling may have visible dents, joints, and rough patches. Damage from Removal – The scraping process can pull off bits of drywall paper, leaving a patchy and torn surface.
Not all, but a significant number of popcorn ceilings contain asbestos—especially in homes built or renovated between the 1950s and the 1980s. The EPA banned asbestos in spray-on ceiling materials in 1973, but contractors were allowed to use up existing inventories, so it continued to appear in homes built through the 1980s.
Yes, you can absolutely put shiplap over a popcorn ceiling, and it is a popular way to upgrade a room without the messy hassle of scraping the texture.
Yes, we used BEADBOARD panels DIRECTLY OVER our popcorn ceilings in our bedroom! This has been up for about one month now and STILL LOOKS PERFECT! We have ZERO REGRETS!
You can easily conceal your popcorn or textured ceiling with beautiful Tongue and Groove Wood Paneling that instantly adds warmth, charm, and modern appeal. Thanks to thermally treated Pine Wood Planks and Poplar Wood Planks, you can elevate your ceiling—and your entire room—in just a weekend project.
Top drywall alternatives include PVC ceiling panels, wood planks, plywood, and textured ceiling tiles. These options eliminate messy mudding and taping, resist moisture in high-humidity areas, and offer distinct aesthetics ranging from rustic warmth to modern sleekness.
In most cases, removing popcorn texture is cheaper than completely replacing the ceiling drywall. However, the most cost-effective approach depends heavily on whether the texture was previously painted and if you need to remediate asbestos.
Covering a popcorn ceiling without removing it avoids messy, time-consuming scraping. The best, longest-lasting method is to install a new layer of 1/4-inch drywall directly over the old ceiling. Other popular alternatives include glue-on ceiling tiles, wood/shiplap planking, or skim-coating.
I wet the ceiling with water in a spray bottle and scraped it. It was messy but easy. It's very easy to do yourself. Just get the popcorn moist and start scrapping.
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.
Yes, you can drywall over a popcorn ceiling. It is an effective way to update a room without the mess of scraping, and it safely encapsulates ceilings that may contain asbestos. However, because you are adding a significant amount of weight and lowering the ceiling, it requires precise preparation.
Factors that decrease property value the most fall into three main categories: location issues, structural damage, and poor neighborhood conditions. These factors can collectively slash a property’s value by 5% to 30% or more.
What Not to Fix When Selling a House: A Comprehensive Guide
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.
Living in a house with popcorn ceilings is generally safe if the ceiling is undamaged and left undisturbed. Asbestos in popcorn ceiling is only dangerous when the fibers are disturbed and released into the air. If your popcorn ceiling is in good condition, there is minimal risk.