Scraping is the most common and cost-effective method for removing popcorn ceilings. This approach involves manually removing the texture using specialized tools.
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.
Cost-Effective: Covering a popcorn ceiling is often more budget-friendly than removing it, as it requires fewer materials and less labor.
Most homeowners spend between $927 and $3,043 to have popcorn ceilings removed, but your total cost could reach $5,706 or more if you have a larger home with higher ceilings. Below, we explore the different cost factors that will impact the total price you pay to remove this outdated feature.
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.
If your popcorn ceiling is older and likely to contain asbestos, you may want to have it tested. You can't tell if a ceiling contains asbestos just from its appearance or age. Testing is the only way to know for sure.
Some of the most popular replacements include flat paint, professional texturing services, and acoustic tiles.
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!
Today, though, a popcorn ceiling makes a house look dated. If the coating is popping loose, it's also a health hazard. And even if it's in good shape, it can complicate home repairs and make a house harder to sell, because potential buyers know popcorn ceilings often contain asbestos, a known carcinogen.
Skim Coat and Paint
Likely the fastest and cheapest option for covering popcorn ceiling, skim coat provides a fresh, smooth surface for a new coat of paint. A skim coat is a thin layer of diluted joint compound that is applied by hand, spray, or paint roller.
Painted white, the subtle texture of beadboard paneling works well in traditional spaces or modern ones, adding a layer of depth in an unconventional place. Panels of beadboard often cost less than 50 cents per square foot, making this a very affordable option, especially for handy DIYers.
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.
It was so much easier than reaching up with all that paint. We used a Bostitch air compressor and nail gun and 1 and 3/8 inch 18 gauge nails to nail the plywood planks into the ceiling. It made for a very speedy job. Between each row, we used a nickel for a spacer.
One benefit to covering popcorn texture versus removing it is not having to deal with the mess or risk of asbestos dust in older homes. Another benefit includes more acoustic ceilings, in case your walls and floors are paper thin.
Health Risks from a Popcorn Ceiling
One study revealed, “Exposure to asbestos and the probability of developing lung disease is high in individuals who lived with these types of ceilings in their home.”
Popcorn ceilings tend to absorb light and cast shadows, making rooms appear darker and more confined. By removing this texture, light can reflect more evenly, brightening up your spaces and making them feel more open and inviting.
For one, the removal process can be messy and time-consuming. It often requires hiring a professional, which can be expensive, particularly if asbestos is present. Additionally, once the popcorn texture is removed, you may discover imperfections in the ceiling that need to be repaired or covered with drywall.
We'd never recommend bringing back popcorn ceilings, the dated spray-on treatment that for decades made surfaces look like cottage cheese—instead, these contemporary options can elevate and transform the most mundane interiors.
Homes built before the 1980s likely have asbestos in them. For instance, if these homes have popcorn ceilings or vinyl flooring, they may contain asbestos. A simple rule is the newer a home is, the less likely it has asbestos materials. Homes built before the 1980s are likely to contain the mineral somewhere.
Leave the ceiling alone or hire an asbestos abatement contractor to do the work. If you remove this ceiling dry, you will contaminate your home with asbestos and expose yourself and your family to potentially high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers. These fibers may remain in your home indefinitely.