How to Deal with Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings were once one of the most popular features in the interiors of homes. Throughout the 50s to the 80s, it was installed in many homes, however, it often contains asbestos which is known to be toxic. Nowadays, textured ceilings which are asbestos-free are still used but they aren’t for everyone. They can still collect dust and over time lose their luster. In this blog, we’re going to explore your options for dealing with popcorn ceilings. 

Popcorn Ceiling Scraping

One of the good things about sprayed on stucco popcorn ceilings is that it can be scraped off. It’s a process that should be left to professionals because it’s quite labor-intensive and can be messy to do as a DIY project. 

In addition to the scraping being labor-intensive, the ceiling sometimes requires some smoothing repairs afterward so that you’re left with a crisp, clean finish. This can be especially difficult to do yourself and you don’t want to end up with a worse-off ceiling. If your home is older, the stucco products could still contain asbestos, so in this situation, you should have a professional perform tests. 

Replace the Popcorn Ceiling

An alternative to ceiling scraping is replacing the drywall. A contractor can remove the old popcorn-covered drywall relatively quickly and have new drywall installed. In the case of old asbestos-covered ceilings, they can safely deal with the construction waste. 

Cover the Ceiling with Tiles or Panels

Besides going with a drywall replacement, you’ve got tons of other options which can give your home a new feel. Wood or panels of other materials can add warmth to a room and help give it some character. Ceiling tiles can also be featured in all or a portion of a ceiling to add some personalization and design prowess to a space. These options don’t often require removing the popcorn ceiling unless it contains asbestos. 

Deempahasize Popcorn Ceiling with Lighting

Smart lighting placement and fixtures can help draw the eye away from popcorn ceilings. Select lighting that won’t be facing the ceiling directly to light up the texture. Think about some mounted downward-facing lighting fixtures to keep the room well-lit. 

Paint Popcorn Ceiling

One of the other ways to deal with (non-toxic) popcorn ceilings is to decide to live with them. Now that they aren’t so popular, they can be a bit of a unique aesthetic. Painting is one of the best ways to freshen up the look of stucco ceilings. Work with a professional painter so that you can find a color that gives your desired effect of either emphasizing or deemphasizing the ceiling.

If you’re interested in remodeling or painting your home, Tom Curren Companies can help. Contact our team at 617-969-4900 to learn more about our services and to get an estimate.