The absolute cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling is by skim coating. By using drywall joint compound to fill in and smooth over the texture, you can upgrade an entire room for the cost of a few buckets of mud and a putty knife.
8 Genius Ways to Cover a Popcorn Ceiling Without Removing It
Covering a popcorn ceiling is more economical and can usually be completed in a day, saving you time and money. With basic tools and the EASY UP Installation System, just choose your favorite WOODHAVEN plank and you could finish your project in as little as weekend.
Covering a popcorn ceiling is often safer and less messy than scraping it, especially if you suspect asbestos. You can cover it by installing lightweight ceiling tiles, adding wood planks (like shiplap) directly to the studs, or by applying a fresh layer of drywall or skim-coat joint compound.
Yes, you can absolutely paint a popcorn ceiling, but it is very easy to ruin the texture if it has never been painted before. If it flakes off easily with a fingernail, you should use a paint sprayer instead of a roller to avoid stripping the texture.
Whether you should spray or roll your popcorn ceiling depends on whether the ceiling has been painted before and the specific task you are undertaking.
The absolute cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling is by skim coating. By using drywall joint compound to fill in and smooth over the texture, you can upgrade an entire room for the cost of a few buckets of mud and a putty knife.
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!
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.
The most efficient popcorn ceiling alternatives involve either scraping and refinishing or covering the texture. Skim-coating with drywall mud creates a modern flat finish. Alternatively, covering the ceiling with lightweight polystyrene or vinyl glue-up tiles, tongue-and-groove wood planks, or new drywall requires no messy scraping.
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.”
If you love the texture of shiplap but want to explore different styles, budget options, or easier installations, several alternatives can upgrade your space.
Drywall is significantly cheaper than shiplap in material costs. Drywall panels range from $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot, whereas real wood shiplap starts at $2.00 to $7.00 per square foot. However, the total cost depends on your project goals, as the complex finishing process for drywall often requires expensive professional labor.
One of the easiest ways to create a paneled ceiling over popcorn is to use segments of 1/4-inch plywood, which can be cut down from larger sheets. Remove any ceiling fixtures, and measure and mark your panel placement so the seams are symmetrical and properly aligned on the ceiling.
Upgrading your ceiling on a budget is highly achievable. Excellent inexpensive covering ideas include peel-and-stick tiles, paint, beadboard panels, or fabric. These options are perfect for hiding damage, popcorn texture, or outdated drywall without the high labor costs and mess of traditional sheetrock.
Yes, you can absolutely put wood paneling directly over a popcorn ceiling, saving you the mess and potential asbestos hazards of scraping. You will need to use construction adhesive and nail the boards directly into the ceiling joists to ensure a secure, sag-free hold.
Gluing ceiling tiles directly over popcorn is an excellent, mess-free alternative to scraping. The best method uses lightweight, paintable polystyrene (Styrofoam) tiles along with a heavy-duty, "instant-grab" adhesive (like Loctite Power Grab or #310 Instant Grab).
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.
After removing popcorn ceiling, you must seal the drywall with a quality primer, then apply a skim coat of joint compound for a smooth finish or add a new texture (like knockdown) to hide imperfections.
For damage control, cover the walls and floor with a plastic drop cloth, cut off power to light fixtures, saturate the popcorn layer with water (a lot), and scrape away. Once done, touch up the ceiling with joint compound, buff it out, then you are ready to prime and paint.