How to Get Rid of a Popcorn Ceiling

A popcorn ceiling is a type of textured ceiling finish that was once found in almost every home. However, their textured appearance and ease of installation came at a cost of difficult repairs and tedious cleaning requirements.

Today, popcorn ceilings are considered outdated and due for an upgrade. What should you do to get rid of it so you can replace it with a better ceiling?

Scrape It Off

The most popular approach to getting rid of a popcorn ceiling, scraping off the surface with a knife, doesn’t cost anything, but it’s also the slowest option, especially if you don’t have a team of pros to back you up. Scraping off old ceilings also runs the risk of sending hazardous particles in the air. If your old popcorn ceiling was built before 1979, you should have your ceiling tested for lead paint and asbestos before proceeding.

Use Gypsum Boards

If your popcorn ceiling is too dangerous to scrape off, you can always have ceiling-grade gypsum boards cover it up. This requires careful taping and caulking, plus the boards must be properly secured to the ceiling frames with screws. Because of the difficulty of this option, experts advise leaving this approach to the professionals.

Change the Texture

If you prefer something other than a completely smooth texture, you should consider coating your popcorn ceiling with a layer of drywall mud. Once the mud is set, cover it with a layer of joint compound and use a trowel or knife to add a new texture to the ceiling. You’d want to work fast to achieve better consistency once the ceiling is set, so you should get help from a professional to ensure the best results.

Still looking for other ideas to replace your popcorn ceiling? Our ceiling specialists at Handyman Connection can help. Call us at (704) 255-5626 or fill out our online form for more info.