Why do people paint 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.

Is painting popcorn ceiling a good idea?

Painting a popcorn ceiling is just one way to improve its appearance. For the long-term, it's helpful to weigh painting the ceiling against covering the ceiling or removing the popcorn texture.

Is it OK to paint over popcorn ceiling?

One coat of paint can refresh nearly anything—including popcorn ceilings.

Why are popcorn ceilings no longer popular?

Why Are Popcorn Ceilings No Longer Popular? 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.

Is popcorn ceiling a deal breaker?

At the end of the day, popcorn ceilings' dealbreaker status is entirely up to you. As long as they're asbestos-free, they pose no harm to anyone, but removing them will definitely help boost your home's value by a few thousand dollars.

Paint Your Popcorn Ceiling (With THIS Tool)

How do you make a popcorn ceiling look modern?

If it's time to redo a popcorn ceiling, there are three popular ways to take on the challenge: scrape, cover with a new layer of drywall, or skim coat with plaster to create a new textured ceiling.

Why does popcorn ceiling fall off when painting?

When latex is applied over a “popcorn” ceiling, the water in the paint can break down the adhesive bond between the texture and the substrate, allowing the weight of the texture to pull the material off the ceiling. Applying an alkyd primer before repainting with latex will usually alleviate the problem.

What are the issues with popcorn ceilings?

Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure From Popcorn Ceilings

Over time, these fibers may cause irritation and scarring. This irritation can cause several dangerous health problems. The most serious of these is mesothelioma cancer. Other conditions include asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer.

What does unpainted popcorn ceiling look like?

Unpainted popcorn ceiling (or textured ceiling) often looks slightly 2 toned, where the base of the ceiling is slightly drier looking and the popcorn looks slightly different.

How much does popcorn ceiling devalue a house?

Schutte estimates that removing a popcorn ceiling would add $25,000 to $35,000 in value for a large estate executive home. For a home of about 1,400 square feet costing about $200,000, he estimates an added value of about $2,500—essentially, close to what a homeowner might put into the project.

Is it better to remove popcorn ceiling or cover it?

If you have popcorn ceiling and want to get rid of it, covering is often the best option. If you cover popcorn ceiling, the job is typically cheaper and faster than removing and replacing popcorn ceiling.

Do popcorn ceilings attract mold?

While popcorn ceilings hide underlying imperfections, the textured surface of a popcorn ceiling also attracts mold, a type of fungus. All types of mold are hazardous to your health, although not all types are toxic. Mold is everywhere in the air.

Are popcorn ceilings making a comeback?

They steadily declined in popularity after the '80s, and popcorn ceilings haven't made a comeback since.

What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?

Skim coating is likely the cheapest option for covering popcorn ceilings. A skim coat acts like a primer to give the ceiling a fresh, smooth surface for a new coat of paint. This is an easy, inexpensive DIY solution that doesn't require a professional or any scraping.

What color is best for popcorn ceiling?

Lighter shades are great for small rooms, while dark colors can help a room feel cozier when the ceilings are uncomfortably high. Other good options for painting a popcorn ceiling include light grays and yellows that help to hide the flaws.

Why do so many houses have 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.

Why do people want popcorn ceilings?

The popcorn texture not only saves time and money, but it also creates a surface that looks intentional. Rather than spot-patching in an attempt to make the ceiling look nice, the entire surface has this textured look—and over time, as the popcorn style gained popularity, it became the norm for many spaces.

Why did houses have popcorn ceilings?

For one thing, popcorn ceilings did a great job of deadening sound and improving the soundproofing between rooms. They were also one of the more affordable ways to prevent sound transfer, which made them especially appealing for residential buildings.

How do I make my popcorn ceiling less noticeable?

How long do popcorn ceilings last?

From its inception well through the 80s, popcorn ceilings were ubiquitous, the remnants of which can still be seen in many homes across the country. While popcorn ceilings can remain intact for decades with the proper care, many of them do show the wear and tear that comes with their life cycles.

What ceiling texture is popular now?

Is it better to paint a popcorn ceiling with a brush or roller?

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 do you embrace a popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceilings are easily transformed by paint.

If their appearance is bothersome to you and removing them isn't a current option, find a gorgeous white hue and go to work. You'll be amazed at how much this will brighten up the texturized surface, making it appear less clumpy and a lot more chic.

Do modern houses have popcorn ceilings?

Popcorn ceilings were made to bolster the room's acoustics via the reduction of ambient sounds and echoes. However, acoustic ceilings have become somewhat obsolete in new homes and modern homeowners and buyers do not find them aesthetically appealing as they also give the home an outdated and old appearance.

Do all popcorn ceilings have asbestos?

Some popcorn ceilings contain up to 10% asbestos contamination. Not all popcorn ceilings have asbestos, yet those built during and before the 1980s may have a high risk for contamination. How dangerous an asbestos-containing textured paint is, depends on its overall condition.