Get matched with top popcorn ceiling pros in Edmonston, MD

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.”

The easiest way to remove texture from walls is the soak-and-scrape method. You’ll need to spray a section of the wall with water and let the water soak in and soften the texture. Then, you need to scrape the texture off using a drywall taping knife. This method works best with unpainted walls since paint prevents water from saturating the textured joint compound.

As stylish new design options become more popular, modern drop ceiling designs also include metal tiles of tin and copper, which can create a dark, moody atmosphere in your basement bar, home theater, or game room. There are also a variety of modern lighting ideas for drop ceilings, including recessed and surface mount lights.

Yes, you can cover a popcorn ceiling, and doing so may be more cost-effective and easier than scraping it off. Covering the ceiling can also help to protect you from asbestos exposure, if the material contains asbestos.

Skim coating is one way to cover a popcorn ceiling. Another option may be to install beadboard panels over top. If you suspect asbestos is involved, bring in a local asbestos abatement company to test and manage the removal.