Safety concerns were the primary driver behind this design trend's fall from favor. Before the late 1970s, many popcorn ceilings used asbestos to create the bumpy texture. While asbestos is safe when it's left undisturbed, if it becomes airborne, it can lead to cancer and other diseases.
Since the mid-2000s, the popularity of textured popcorn ceilings has diminished significantly across North America. A trend toward more modern, clean-lined design features has influenced home improvement professionals to provide popcorn ceiling removal services.
The ban on ``popcorn ceilings,'' also known as acoustic ceilings or textured ceilings, primarily stems from health concerns related to asbestos, which was commonly used in the materials that created these textured finishes. Here are the main reasons behind the regulation and eventual banning of popcorn ceilings:
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. Asbestos is safe when undisturbed.
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.
In the majority of homes, yes. Popcorn ceilings are easy to notice, and make homes look and feel dated. Removing them is a quick fix, but it's recommended to leave the work to a pro to ensure there's no asbestos contamination in the home.
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.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Costs (Hire A Pro)
No question, the intense amount of labor required will make up the majority of the cost you'll pay. If asbestos is present, budget for a range of $50 to $150 per square foot for a certified contractor to properly remove it.
Most old asbestos ceiling tiles look light colored, slightly textured and powdery white. They often have small dotted indentations. If your tiles remain intact there is little to no health risk. However, deteriorating ceilings can put all of your building's users at risk.
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.
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.
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.
To cover a popcorn ceiling, drywall is a popular option, Wood planks comes a close second.
While they may have been a practical choice in the past, today's homeowners often prefer a smoother, more modern look. Popcorn ceilings can decrease a home's value, especially if they contain asbestos, are in poor condition, or are just unappealing.
They Hide Imperfections – A popcorn ceiling's bumpy surface naturally hides and camouflages imperfections. This effect is due to the textured surface casting shadows that darken the surface – masking leaks, cracks, and poor drywall. They Are Inexpensive – A popcorn ceiling can be sprayed-on.
Textured or 'popcorn ceilings' are quite common in homes or buildings built before 2000. These ceilings may contain asbestos, as it was mixed into the plaster to create the desired effect. It is important to note that not all textured ceilings contain asbestos.
Popcorn ceilings installed from 1945 until the early 1990s commonly contained asbestos. It was a popular spray-on ceiling material and contained 1% – 10% asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos in spray-on ceiling materials in 1973.
If you think there may be asbestos in your home, don't panic. Asbestos-containing materials that aren't damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk. Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos-containing material alone if it is in good condition.
Scraping is the most common and cost-effective method for removing popcorn ceilings. This approach involves manually removing the texture using specialized tools.
Asbestos does not always need to be removed before a sale. If the material is in good condition and poses no immediate risk (e.g., it is contained and undisturbed), sellers can disclose its presence without taking further action.
Textured ceilings are made from joint compound or plaster and applied by hand or with specialized tools to create various patterns. Unlike popcorn ceilings, they're less likely to contain asbestos.
Asbestos abatement and remediation are not generally covered by home insurance. However, due to the potential health risks, it's important to have knowledgeable professionals inspect an older home before major work is done.
Some of the most concerning dangers of old houses are asbestos and lead paint. Asbestos was commonly used for insulation, wall patching, and other home construction until the 1970s, and lead paint was common in-home decorating until the federal government banned it in 1978.