If you have a house with an outdated popcorn ceiling, you might be considering removing it to install a more contemporary design or, at the very least, covering it with something more stylish.
Despite being popular in the 70s and 80s, introducing new technology ceilings and finishings has devalued popcorn ceilings, affecting a home’s value. Even worse, most old popcorn ceilings carry health risks because of asbestos, a product linked to lung cancer.
To protect your loved ones and retain or improve your home’s value, we’ve prepared a quick guide on how you can hide or cover your popcorn ceiling without removing it.
Why Should You Cover Popcorn Ceilings?
Choosing to cover your textured ceiling or popcorn ceiling instead of removing it can save you money and time. Although it’s a manageable DIY project, removing your popcorn ceiling can take a couple of days and use up a lot of money purchasing materials needed to complete the job professionally. The costs might even be higher when you choose to work with a professional popcorn ceiling remover.
Moreover, removing textured ceilings can be dangerous if the house was built before 1978. This is because these ceilings contain asbestos, a product outlawed in residential spaces because of its carcinogenic nature. Those who decide to remove texture ceilings installed before 1978 have to perform asbestos tests on the ceiling.
Finally, covering the popcorn ceiling with something better improves the aesthetics. With the new material, you can hide water damage and imperfections on the ceiling. In some cases, it can improve the lighting in the room since popcorn ceilings form craters that cast shadows and dull a room.
What to Use to Hide Popcorn Ceiling
There’re numerous time-saving and affordable options to conceal the popcorn ceiling without removing it. The options include:
Shiplap
Shiplap is simple wood paneling designed like long, horizontal panels with gaps between individual ceiling panels. They achieve a timeless look and blend with a variety of interior design styles. Easy installation and homeowners don’t have to deal with the mess of popcorn ceiling removal.
Materials for installation are available at local hardware stores at affordable prices.
Ceiling Tiles
This is yet another affordable and easy-to-install option. The tiles are available in different textures and styles to match your ceiling design. However, using decorative tiles to conceal the popcorn ceiling needs intricate measurements and calculations. On the bright side, online sites have wall tile and ceiling estimators that can help you order the correct number of tiles.
Skim Coat
Applying a skim coat to your textured ceiling doesn’t achieve an entirely smooth look. However, the new coat is more appealing than the old popcorn ceiling. Sure, skim coatings can be found in old homes since they were popular before textured ceilings, but they don’t look outdated.
To apply the skim coating, spread a quick-set drywall mud over the current textured ceiling. The joint compound applied should be thick enough to cover popcorn ceilings.
Drywall
You can always add a second layer on top of the textured ceiling to cover the popcorn. This is a good option for homeowners that want to achieve a neutral look.
After installing the drywall, you’ll get a smooth surface that’s easier to paint, and that will be more aesthetically pleasing.
On the flip side, installing drywall is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. Without hiring a professional, most homeowners experience difficulties locating ceiling joists to attach the drywall. Attaching the drywall to the joists is an important step in the installation process because drywall sheets add weight to the ceiling. Unfortunately, ceiling structures aren’t designed to support a lot of weight and can result in long-term structural problems.
Aside from this, drywall lists cost about $40 each day, and 4′ x 8′ drywall sheets cost about &9. With these figures, the installation costs can add up fast.
Given that the drywall is bulky and heavy and the installation takes a long time, taking on the project as a DIY isn’t advisable.
Process of Covering Popcorn Ceiling Without Removing
With Wood Planks
To do a good job with prepared ceiling planks, follow the following steps.
As a DIY project, you’ll need several supplies, including:
- 4′ x 8′ 11/33-inch-thick sanded plywood
- 18-gauge brad nails
- Paint
- Air compressor and nail gun
- Floor spacer
Before heading to the store, measure the ceiling. Once you have your measurements, ensure you cut the wood into 6-inch strips and follow the steps below to cover the dated popcorn ceiling.
- Step one: paint the wood strips before installing them on your ceiling
- Step two – line the strips on your ceiling, making sure to alternate the rows with long and short pieces.
- Step three – attach the strips to your ceiling using your air compressor nail gun
- Step four – use the spacers between the rows to help separate them evenly. If you are worried the textured ceiling will show through the ceiling, it won’t.
- Step five – measure the wood strips from the first to the current after a couple of rows to ensure that the application is even.
- Step six – if you have smoke detectors or lighting fixtures on your ceiling, you can form notches in the strips to accommodate this equipment.
- Step seven – depending on your ceiling’s measurements, you may have to cut the lasts strips to align with the edges evenly
With Decorative Styrofoam Tiles
Decorative ceiling tiles are simple to install and add a nice touch to your interior design. Below are the steps to follow to help you do it right.
- Step one – shop for your preferred ceiling times and choose the style and pattern that best fits your home’s décor.
- Step two – measure the ceiling and purchase the tiles. Standard ceiling tiles measure 20 x 20 inches.
- Step three – Remove ceiling vents and light fixtures from your room.
- Step four – Determine the center of the ceiling since this is where you’ll start placing your tiles. To locate the center, measure the ceiling length and mark its center. Take these measurements on all sides.
- Step five – Hit a nail into the ceiling, ensuring it’s aligned with the center you’ve determined. Hit the nails in the four points and hook a chalk line around one of the nails. Proceed to stretch the chalk lines to one of the other nails on the opposite wall. After repeating the process twice, you should have an X on your ceiling. The point of intersection is the center of your ceiling.
- Step six – Put instant grab adhesive in a caulking gun and use it to squeeze small amounts of adhesive on the back of every tile. The adhesive on the tile should be six inches apart.
- Step seven – Press the decorative tile onto your ceiling, making sure the edges line up with the chalk line. Ensure your hands are flat when pressing the tile on your ceiling to avoid making dents.
- Step eight – Every other tile you place should align with the edge of the previously installed tile.
- Step nine – Continue doing this until you get to the ceiling border
- Step ten – Measure the space between the ceiling’s edge and the last full tile. Measure this space from two different points on your ceiling to ensure accuracy.
- Step eleven – Measure a tile and cut it to fit the ceiling border.
- Step twelve – Seal the tile edges with water-based latex caulk making sure to get rid of the excess with a cloth.
With a Skim Coat
Here’s how to apply a skim coat like a professional.
- Step one – spread a joint compound on your ceiling using a taking knife. The layer of the joint compound should be thicker than if you were working on a smooth surface. Don’t use a lot of water when making the mixture.
- Step two – wipe the ceiling to remove any air bubbles or bumps in the compound you’ve applied. Then wipe the ceiling in the opposite direction to remove ridges.
- Step three – before adding a second layer of the joint compound, scrape away any texture with a taping knife.
- Step four – Add another layer of joint compound
- Step five – Let the compound dry for about 24 hours
With Drywall
Before getting into the step-by-step application guide, below are important things to know about adding drywall (sheetrock) to your ceiling.
½ or 3/8 inch sheetrock is perfect for covering the textured ceilings. However, the drywall will add to your ceiling’s weight and might cause structural problems.
Another issue is how you’ll attach the drywall to the popcorn texture. Normally, studs are used to screw drywall on ceilings. However, textured ceilings are soft, and screws might not fall off.
To attach drywall to your ugly ceiling, you’ll have to use screws over two inches long. On the flip side, they can be difficult to screw in well, and they often fold over.
Drywall tends to be expensive. A 4′ X 8′ drywall goes for $9. Since you’ll need a lot of sheets to cover the ceiling, the costs pile up fast.
- Step one – Cut the light fixtures’ power and remove ceiling fans and fixtures. Use a mud ring to extend electrical boxes.
- Step two – Mark joist centers using a stud finder. This step takes time and can be a little complex.
- Step three – Grab some drywall sheets and cut them to the required length making sure to subtract 0.25 inches for gaps.
- Step four – Mark your sheets and align them with the joists. Some professionals can eyeball this step when laying drywall, but this only comes with experience. To avoid mistakes, you need precise measurements and markings.
- Step five – Lay every dry sheet, ensuring it aligns with the joist centers. Ensure the seams between the drywall sheets form a zigzag to avoid weak points.
- Step six – Attach each sheet using a drywall screw
- Step seven – Apply the joint compound to every seam and cover it with drywall tape.
- Step eight – Apply the joint compound to the ceiling and wall gaps
- Step nine – Cover the ceiling in paint.
Note: using a drywall lift when installing drywall ceilings makes the process easier and faster.
What’s the Best Method of Covering the Textured Ceiling?
There’re numerous methods of covering an existing popcorn ceiling. You can paint it and install drywall or acoustic panels to make the room soundproof. We believe drywalls are the best option, although gypsum is a good alternative, too, since they are lightweight and strong.
What’s the Most Cost-effective Method of Covering a Textured Ceiling?
The most cost-effective method of hiding popcorn ceilings is by using wooden ceiling plants. Wooden planks are inexpensive, and the installation is straightforward. However, you need to be careful with the thin studs during installation since they break easily and are costly.
How Much Does It Cost to Cover a Textured Ceiling?
The costs depend on the materials you choose to hide the entire ceiling. Using wooden planks is comparatively cheaper than drywall, tiles, and plaster. It’ll cost about $3,000 if you choose to hire professionals.
Should You Cover an Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling?
No. If the popcorn ceiling tests positive for traces of asbestos, it should be removed rather than hidden to prevent health complications. But if you really want to cover the ceiling, you should remove the asbestos before anything else. To remove asbestos, you’ll need a professional who can handle the product safely.
Why Did They Stop Using Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings?
In 1977, the federal government banned asbestos ceiling finishes. As such, ceilings installed after 1977 don’t have asbestos. However, there’s a possibility that materials manufactured before 1977 were used in home finishes even after the ban.
What Type of Paint Should You Use on Your Textured Ceiling?
To paint your existing ceiling, get foam rollers. Foam rollers are specifically made for textured ceilings, stucco, and textured walls. The foam roller will not break the texture, but instead, it will roll paint evenly on the ceiling.
Should You Roll or Spray Textured Ceiling Paint?
Textured ceilings break off easily during painting if you don’t exercise caution. If your ceiling doesn’t have paint, you should spray paint it. Spray painting is quicker and easier compared to roller painting.
How Do I Know if My Popcorn Textured Ceiling is Painted?
If you run your fingers on the textured ceiling and it doesn’t flake, the ceiling is pained. Alternatively, you can apply some water to any section of the ceiling using a sponge or sprayer. If your ceiling hasn’t been painted, the water soaks into it. But if it has been painted, the water beads up.
Conclusion
Most homeowners don’t like popcorn ceilings. Although they hide flaws well, they aren’t appealing in modern interior designs and might have health hazards.
On the bright side, there’re loads of options for covering textured ceilings. Whether you choose drywall, decorative tiles, wooden planks, or skim coats, you can improve your home’s design.
References
https://www.fromhousetohome.com/hide-popcorn-ceilings/
https://www.makingmanzanita.com/how-to-cover-popcorn-ceiling/