Get matched with top popcorn ceiling pros in Unalaska, AK

It depends on the type of texture you’re adding but yes, you can often use a roller to texturize a ceiling. The roller needs to be able to hold enough medium to create some relief on the ceiling but not so much that gravity will pull it off before it dries. Using a roller with a nap between ½” and ¾” will allow the roller to hold enough material to do the trick.

Some pros may recommend covering a popcorn ceiling that tests positive for asbestos with beadboard ceiling planks or drywall. The cost to install a beadboard ceiling averages more than $5,000, but you likely will pay more than the average for the installer to deal with the asbestos safely. Installing a beadboard ceiling or new drywall will disturb the asbestos and release some microscopic fibers, so the installer will need to take precautions. 

Knockdown hides imperfections better than orange peel due to its thicker, more varied pattern. The valleys and peaks make flaws less visible under lighting. However, note that knockdown walls will collect more dust and dirt, so be prepared to wipe them away more frequently than you would with orange peel.

If your popcorn ceiling is asbestos-free and you are ready for a new look, painting is an option. As long as there is no flaking or other wear, a new coat of paint might be just the thing to refresh the old ceiling. The best way to paint a popcorn ceiling is to use either a paint sprayer or a thick roller to cover the popcorn texture fully. (Do not forget to dust it off beforehand!)

“Note that if you eventually want to remove the popcorn ceiling, a painted ceiling is a labor-intensive job to remove and will cost more,” says Bob Tschudi. “Once painted, the process of removing the popcorn ceiling requires physical scraping as opposed to a spray-and-scrape approach. It’s very labor-intensive, and thus more costly.”