How do you paint over old popcorn ceilings?

Can you paint old popcorn ceilings?

After enough time, popcorn ceilings begin to look dull, weary, and dated. Removing the popcorn texture coating is messy, but painting the popcorn ceiling is one way to bring back the ceiling's sparkle and freshness for little cost and with minimal mess.

What is the easiest way to paint popcorn ceilings?

Painting popcorn ceiling texture is a much cheaper and easier alternative to removal. Textured ceilings can be painted using a brush and a thick roller or with an airless sprayer, but using a sprayer is by far the easiest and most efficient way to get the job done fast.

Is there a thick paint to cover popcorn ceiling?

It's best to use two coats of a good quality latex paint. You can also spray a heavier texture on the ceiling to cover and disguise the existing popcorn. As an alternative to spraying, you can trowel with ceiling with a heavy coat of drywall mud.

Can you paint popcorn ceiling with a roller?

What Type of Roller is Recommended? Painting a popcorn ceiling is much easier (and faster) with a paint sprayer. But if you don't have access to a paint sprayer or renting one is not an option, Poellinger recommends choosing a roller that matches the thickness of the texture you are painting.

How to paint a popcorn texture ceiling

What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?

Some of the cheapest options include covering it up with tongue-and-groove wood panels, drywall panels, prepared fiberboard ceiling planks/tiles, fabric, and paint patterns.

How do you make popcorn ceilings look better?

When looking for a way to dress up a ceiling with texture while also hiding that popcorn texture, consider adding wood or wood paneling. Covering the ceiling with tongue and groove wood planks, bead board, or another rustic wood plank or panel is a creative way to add interest to the ceiling and update the space.

Can you use Kilz on popcorn ceiling?

Before you paint your popcorn ceiling, you need to prime it to ensure proper paint adhesion. If the ceiling is old, you may need a stain-blocking primer to prevent old stains from bleeding through. Kilz makes a primer especially intended for this purpose.

Should I paint popcorn ceiling?

Since removing a popcorn ceiling is messy at best, and a costly headache if asbestos is indeed involved, you may have decided to live with one in your home. But rather than grin and bear it, why not paint it? A fresh coat will instantly lend a lighter, brighter look sure to open up the room.

What kind of roller should I use to paint popcorn ceiling?

Wooster Popcorn/Acoustical Slit-Foam Roller Cover is specifically designed for "popcorn" or acoustical ceilings and lightly textured walls. This cover will not crush the texture. It spreads paint evenly over the peaks and valleys of a surface.

Do all popcorn ceilings have asbestos?

Popcorn ceilings generally contain between 1 and 10 percent asbestos. While 1 percent may seem insignificant, it's important to note that any percentage of asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is cause for concern and should be addressed.

When did they stop using asbestos in popcorn ceilings?

In 1977, the U.S. Government banned the use of asbestos in ceiling finishes, and most ceilings installed after this date will not contain asbestos. It is still possible, however, that materials manufactured before 1977 were installed in homes after the ban.

What is the purpose of popcorn ceilings?

Many homes built in the late 1930s through the 1990s have popcorn ceilings or some type of texture applied overhead. It was used to cover up a lot of flaws in the ceiling. It was time-effective and cost-efficient. Often called an acoustic ceiling, it also served the purpose to absorb sound and reduce noise.

What is the best primer for popcorn ceiling?

What's the Best Primer? You will want to use an oil-based primer on textured acoustic material, because water can soak into that material, weigh on it and pull it away. Once your oil-based coat is on and dry, you can more safely use a water-based color.

Can you spray paint a popcorn ceiling?

Project Overview. Painting a textured ceiling with paint rollers takes time and can cause the texture to flake off from the surface. Using an airless paint sprayer to paint a textured ceiling saves you time and preserves the appearance while providing a more complete and uniform coverage.

Why is my popcorn ceiling falling off while painting?

Popcorn texture is sprayed onto the ceiling, and it absorbs moisture rapidly. This can pose a problem, particularly if you're using a water-based paint. As it absorbs the moisture in the latex paint, the texture weakens and may peel off as you're painting.

Is removing popcorn ceiling worth it?

In short, removing a popcorn ceiling can increase your home value. However, particular circumstances can affect its impact. Removing popcorn ceilings from a smaller home may not be a good use of renovation money. As long as it's in good condition, a fresh coat of paint may be the better option due to cost.

What do people replace popcorn ceilings with?

Does removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?

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. To understand further, it helps to learn more about why popcorn ceilings were once a popular design choice—as well as why they no longer are.

How expensive is it to remove popcorn ceilings?

Popcorn ceiling removal cost ranges from around $898 to $2,847, with the average homeowner paying $1,853 for professional removal.

Can you just cover a popcorn ceiling?

Removing a popcorn ceiling is a messy, time-consuming job. Fortunately, in most cases, it's not necessary because you can easily cover up that unsightly texture with ceiling panels or planks. Most options easily install directly over your existing popcorn ceiling using the Easy Up track and clip installation system.

Can you paint over asbestos popcorn ceiling?

Asbestos popcorn ceiling can be covered with new ceiling panels or vinyl paint. One way to cover popcorn ceiling is with gypsum board ceiling panels.

Should I worry about asbestos in popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceilings installed before 1980 contain asbestos and is harmful to your health. If you have asbestos in your home, remove it. However, undisturbed popcorn ceiling is not a health risk. Popcorn ceiling is easy to remove, but homeowners worry about it.