Homeowners may wonder if they should remove popcorn ceilings for a more modern, polished look.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of popcorn ceilings and those considering changing should learn the facts before making the right decision.
Why Popcorn Ceiling?
White, bumpy ceilings started appearing in American and Canadian homes in the 1930s.
It was largely a style choice, but it had some practical advantages as well. It was cheaper than painting a ceiling.
The stippled technique was also quicker to apply than the time it takes to paint a ceiling.
Another factor making popcorn ceilings popular is they hid flaws contractors or homeowners didn’t want to spend time or money fixing. No one had to patch small holes or cracks or sand them down.
The popcorn ceiling covered them up. It was an efficient, effective method for construction.
The ceiling technique started falling out of favor with homeowners in the 1970s, but contractors continued to use the technique in home building through the 1990s.
Reasons for a decrease in popularity include health risks associated with asbestos in popcorn ceilings found in some mixtures and style preferences.
Popcorn ceilings are also called acoustic ceilings, stucco ceilings, or cottage cheese ceilings.
The term acoustic ceilings stem from the fact that the texture absorbs sounds better than painted ceilings.
This makes rooms overall quieter and would be a good choice for rooms where there will be a lot of music, whether it is a room where children practice on instruments or a teen’s room where they have a stereo or gaming system.
The stippled ceilings earned the stucco title because some contractors use stucco to get the right texture. It is also called cottage cheese ceilings because popcorn ceilings are traditionally white and resemble cottage cheese.
What is a Popcorn Ceiling?
The mix that creates the bumpy, popcorn effect includes products like styrofoam or stucco.
Originally, some popcorn ceiling mixtures included asbestos as a binding ingredient.
Adoption of the Clean Air Act in the United States resulted in banning asbestos in popcorn ceiling, which was linked to serious health problems including cancer.
Contractors switched to different materials in the mixture, but many homeowners began opting for painted ceilings. Many homes, particularly older or less expensive homes, have popcorn ceilings.
Those who have older homes may want to have a popcorn ceiling asbestos test and then have them removed. Most experts agree homeowners are not at risk if ceilings are not disturbed.
Once removal begins, you will need to be sure to remove all the products along with their dust. It is best to hire a professional to do this job it will require safety equipment.
Popcorn ceilings can go in any room, but home experts recommend not to put them in rooms where there will be humidity, like kitchens and bathrooms, because water can cause damage over time.
Garages are also not the best place for a popcorn ceiling because rain and moisture can enter a garage more easily than other areas, causing the ceiling to wear out sooner than inside the home.
However, you will do well to do a popcorn ceiling install in rooms that are expected to have more noise, such as sound from televisions, video games, and other electronics and stereos, since the popcorn ceiling acoustics are great.
Popcorn Ceiling vs Textured Ceiling
Some believe these type of textured ceilings are outdated and really wanted the modern look of clean, painted ceilings. Painted ceilings have one style advantage in that you can change the color rather easily.
However, popcorn ceilings have a distinct advantage in that they hide housing flaws. Those who don’t want to completely repair cosmetic flaws or who want to cover a bad repair will find that stucco ceilings can be their best solution.
Painted ceilings also reflect light evenly because it’s a flat surface, so every problem area will suddenly become visible.
How to Clean Popcorn Ceilings
One disadvantage is figuring out how to clean popcorn ceilings. The stippling can collect dirt within the spaces and on the tips of the bumps.
A duster or broom can be used to clean the ceiling easily enough, but that often results in some of the mixture falling off and that can leave a mess on the floor or furniture. Eventually, areas of the ceiling will need to be repaired.
Some people find a vacuum works well. Just be careful not to press hard.
How to Repair Popcorn Ceilings
The one thing that can ruin a popcorn ceiling is water damage, causing the stipple to fall. You should get your roof repaired at the first sighting of a popcorn ceiling water stain.
Popcorn ceiling repair is relatively simple, and you can do it yourself, but can take time.
The first thing to do is clear the damaged area of the remaining stippling. You must sand it down to a smooth surface to apply a popcorn ceiling drywall.
The plaster must be sanded again to match the rest of the ceiling and then it needs to be painted.
To paint the damaged area, you will need a popcorn ceiling spray product or use a segmented foam roller to apply the popcorn ceiling mixture.
Popcorn ceiling removal can be done by a professional or you can try removing a popcorn ceiling yourself.
You will need to get a popcorn ceiling removal machine rental to make the job easier. It is a good idea to get a popcorn ceiling removal quote before trying it yourself.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the final decision of whether to keep or remove popcorn ceilings is up to you.
Your decision will depend not only on style but on the cost and time involved in both removing and creating a smooth ceiling along with any safety concerns.
A professional can help answer all your questions about removing the popcorn ceiling and creating a smooth surface.
Weighing out all of the benefits and disadvantages will help you make a decision that is right for you.
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