From the 1950s through to the 1980s, popcorn ceilings had exceedingly popular appeal in residential properties throughout the United States. These ceilings, which have a cottage cheese texture, were applied using spray-on techniques using fibers and had the added advantage of masking off any imperfections in the underlying ceiling.
What Does the Term Popcorn Ceiling Mean?
The term popcorn ceiling is a broad name used for a variety of textured ceilings. You may also find terms such as acoustic ceiling or stucco ceiling used to describe the same kind of ceiling texture.
The popcorn ceiling texture was originally created to provide a low-cost, low-maintenance solution for commercial and residential properties. The textured surface also had the effect of hiding any imperfections in the underlying ceiling material.
Why is It Necessary to Remove Popcorn Ceilings?
Most of the materials which were used to make popcorn ceilings have been found to contain asbestos. Asbestos has been associated with a number of diseases and conditions, especially respiratory system conditions affecting the lungs and windpipe. Many asbestos-related diseases are often fatal.
The US government banned the use of asbestos in spray-on building products in 1978. While the law, known as the “clean air act,” banned the use of building products that contained asbestos, it nonetheless contained a proviso that let manufacturers sell any part of inventory they had that contained asbestos as a product. This is why even some buildings built well into the 1980s may nonetheless contain some asbestos in one form or another.
The government ban on the use of asbestos in building materials did not require homeowners to remove any components that had asbestos in them. However, it is prudent to take action on your own for the health and wellness of your family.
Asbestos removal is a delicate and dangerous operation and should only be carried out by specially trained and certified professionals. Some people attempt to remove asbestos on their own, but this is not advisable as you may end up inhaling the fibers and causing serious health problems for yourself or your family.
Reasons and Merits of Removing Your Popcorn Ceiling
Removing popcorn ceilings is justified by a number of reasons and advantages which accrue when the health hazard posed by the material is taken away. Here is a guide to the most important of those reasons and advantages.
Asbestos is a Dangerous Hazard
The health dangers posed by asbestos are well-publicized. That is why the material has been banned from use in the building and construction industry since the 1970s. This was the same legislation that outlawed the inclusion of hazardous materials such as lead paint and adhesives.
Asbestos poses such a danger to human health since it can break down into microscopically thin fibers, which often remain suspended in the air for days. These fibers are so tiny that when breathed, they get lodged deep in lung tissue where they end up causing serious health problems.
Some of the diseases associated with asbestos include scarring of the lung tissue known as asbestosis, lung cancer, and even a rare form of cancer affecting the lining in the chest cavity known as mesothelioma.
Popcorn Ceilings Attract Too Much Dust
The uneven surface of popcorn ceilings may be great to look at but it can also cause problems with dust. The dips and bumps on the surface encourage dust and grime to gather on the surface acting as some kind of dust magnet. This can cause problems for people suffering from allergies and respiratory conditions such as asthma.
If you have young children in the house, they may also suffer from health problems if they are constantly exposed to dust particles in the air.
Too much dust in the air can also aggravate existing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
In short, removing popcorn ceilings will help to improve indoor air quality and make your home a healthier place to live in.
Popcorn Ceilings Are Outdated
While popcorn ceilings were very popular in the 1970s and 1980s, they have since fallen out of favor with most homeowners. This is because they tend to make a room look dated and old-fashioned.
If you are planning to sell your home, removing popcorn ceilings will go a long way in making it more appealing to likely buyers. This is because most people today prefer a more modern and sleek look for their homes.
Decrease in Resale Value
Houses with popcorn ceilings are certain to attract very depressed value in the market. Moreover, the popcorn ceiling texture is enough of a deal breaker that could prevent likely buyers from taking your offer.
It is not always clear that a seller can make more money from selling their home after footing the cost of removing the popcorn ceiling. On average, the cost of removing popcorn ceilings is about the same as the deficit in the value of a house that features the dreaded ceiling texture.
Popcorn Ceilings Get Discoloration Easily
The rough surface of popcorn ceiling texture tends to discolor easily. This is because the soft and uneven texture tends to attract a lot of particles that get lodged in the spaces.
The problem of discoloration is more acute in ceiling areas right above places such as a cooking area or a traditional fireplace where soot and smoke particles are apt to find their way above.
Poor Lighting
The uneven surface of the popcorn ceiling makes it hard to light up a room properly. This is because the surface cannot reflect back the light of lighting appliances evenly across the room. Moreover, the dips and outcrops on the surface of the ceiling make it appear harsh.
Unattractive Room Aesthetics
In terms of purely aesthetic appeal, the popcorn ceiling lacks the allure of a smooth finish. A smooth ceiling texture can be painted in different hues and patterns that complement the rest of the house’s interior décor.
Factors to Consider Before Removing Your Popcorn Ceiling
Here are factors to keep in mind before having your popcorn ceiling removed
Does the Popcorn Ceiling Contain Asbestos?
Not all popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. Even then, it is still the right decision to get the ceiling surface removed or smoothed up, especially if you are considering putting your home on the market.
If there is no asbestos in the ceiling, the first thing to do is scrape away the textured surface and then sand the surface to an even level of smoothness. The ceiling can then be painted over to make certain that the aesthetics of the room are retained.
How Thick is the Popcorn Texture?
While many homeowners consider that the most important dimension in evaluating popcorn ceiling replacement services is the square foot dimensions of the ceiling surface, the texture thickness matters too.
Even if you had received a quote with a specific cost for every square foot of the ceiling, this might change once the contractor is on site. Very thick popcorn ceiling textures take longer to remove, and the process of scraping off the material may leave visible defects on the underlying surface.
What Factors Determine the Cost of Removing Popcorn Ceilings?
While it is possible to arrive at a good estimate of what it will cost you to remove your popcorn ceiling, it is worth remembering that no two houses are identical. By the same token, no two projects dealing with the removal of popcorn ceilings are the same.
The exact cost of the project will depend on a number of factors. Some of these are rather obvious such as the ceiling’s square foot area, while others, such as debris disposal, are a lot more subtle.
Here is a complete account of the factors which determine the cost of ceiling removal in residential properties.
Square Foot Area of Popcorn Ceiling
The major factor used to determine the cost of a ceiling removal project is the square foot area of your ceiling. If you get a quote from a contractor specifying the cost by square footage, be sure to ask for clarification on whether the cost includes the cost of sanding and painting the ceiling as well.
Height and Type of Ceiling
If the room fitted with a popcorn ceiling has a very high ceiling, this may complicate the task for the contractor scraping away the popcorn layer. Typical ceilings are between eight and ten feet high. From such a height, a handyman can use a standard step ladder in order to safely scrape off the popcorn texture.
Ceilings that are higher than ten feet from the floor make the task of removing the popcorn layer harder and even more dangerous. If your ceiling has complex elements such as fancy chandelier lamps, ceiling fans, ceiling lights, or artistic columns, this will increase the cost of removing the ceiling as well.
The Total Amount of Labor
The cost of removing your popcorn ceiling depends not just on the extent of the work that needs to be done but how much time is needed to complete the project. If the contractor is also taking care of debris disposal, this will increase the cost substantially.
Other labor considerations which could inflate the cost of removing your popcorn ceiling cost include having to sand off the surface to ensure it is even. Repainting the ceiling to a smooth finish will also increase the cost of removing your popcorn ceiling.
As with the case of scraping off the popcorn ceiling surface, the additional labor costs associated with debris removal, sanding, and painting are given per square foot. Some contractors will itemize each element of labor, but some will provide an all-inclusive estimate of the cost to remove the popcorn ceiling, dispose of the material, and refinish.
Location of The Home
As unfair as it may sound, you may end up paying a lot more for removing your popcorn ceiling purely based on the location of your home. As with other forms of goods and services, the cost of removing popcorn ceilings is tied to the principle of supply and demand.
If you live in a region where there are many homeowners looking to get the service yet, there are not enough local contractors to meet this demand. This will drive up the cost of the service. On the contrary, in areas where there are many contractors competing for a limited number of opportunities, the cost will tend to be quite low.
Specific Complexities of The Job
In most cases, it is relatively simple to have a ceiling’s popcorn texture removed. If the popcorn texture is moistened by spraying with water, it becomes easy to remove. All you need to do is scrape it off with an edged tool such as a flat trowel.
Removing a popcorn ceiling texture that features an overlying coat of paint is not as easy. The paint makes it impossible for the underlying popcorn texture to absorb water. In such a case, the contractor can place a number of cuts on the surface to aid the absorption of water into the ceiling surface.
Disposing of The Debris
A lot of messy and potentially hazardous debris is created when you remove the popcorn ceiling. A professional contractor will normally have a tarpaulin sheet on the floor to collect the drippy, wet debris. This makes it easier to collect and dispose of waste material.
If you are responsible for disposing of the debris, be sure to check with your local authority’s garbage guidelines on whether you can include the waste in your municipal waste. Unless your ceiling surface has asbestos or lead paint, the cost of debris disposal only adds a small fraction to the entire cost of the project. As such, it is often advisable to let the contractor remove the material and dispose of the debris on their own.
Options for Replacing Popcorn Ceiling
Some homeowners prefer to have the ceiling, which previously used to have the popcorn ceiling surface sanded and painted in the same color scheme as the walls. This is not the only option. Here are some of the most popular and functional optional replacements.
Decorative Ceiling Tiles
Decorative tiles are becoming a very popular option for homeowners looking to redo a ceiling previously covered with a popcorn texture. As they come in different dazzling colors and patterns, they offer a homeowner a set of compelling options for a new ceiling design.
There are several advantages to why decorative tiles are such a good replacement option for your popcorn ceiling. They are not only affordable but relatively easy as well as mess-free to install. They also cover imperfections or leaks on the ceiling perfectly. Moreover, you can clean them easily when there is a need.
Slap Brush Texture Ceiling
Slap brush ceiling texture is also a popular way to replace popcorn ceilings. It looks like a simple choice but it is very challenging to get the design right. To achieve the distinctive slap brush look, a layer of mud is applied across the ceiling using a special roller.
The textured surface is then achieved by slapping the layer using a thick-bristled brush. To do the job right, it is best left to a professional decorator. They begin by slapping the brushes from the edges towards the interior of the ceiling.
Can You Remove Your Own Popcorn Ceiling as a DIY Project?
Yes, it is possible for popcorn texture to be removed as a DIY home improvement project. This is especially the case if your ceiling’s popcorn texture is a thin layer on a relatively flat surface. The materials and equipment you need to get the textured surface off are available at your neighborhood hardware store or home centers.
You should consider removing your popcorn ceiling only if you are certain the surface contains no asbestos or lead paint. Have an asbestos and lead test carried out beforehand to make removing your popcorn ceiling safe as a DIY project.
Tips to Save Money for Your Popcorn Removal Project
Even if you do not opt to perform popcorn removal as a DIY project, you can still save money on your popcorn removal project. Here are some handy tips to help you cut down on the total cost of the project.
- Remove all or as much furniture as possible from the house before the contractor arrives on site.
- Perform an asbestos/lead paint test carried out to rule out that the eventual debris is not a hazardous material
- Have a plan to dispose of the debris on your own once it is removed
- Opt to do the painting yourself after the crew has finished removing the textured surface. Many contractors consider sanding and repainting the ceiling as additional costs not covered in the cost for every square foot quote they may have provided before the project commenced
Alternatives to Removing Popcorn Ceilings
You can still eliminate any potential health hazard posed by popcorn ceilings and give your home a clean new look without having the textured surface of the ceiling scrapped off. Here are some effective and affordable alternatives you can result too instead of having the popcorn ceiling removed entirely.
Wood Planks
Wooden ceiling planks can be plastered onto the popcorn ceiling, eliminating the hazard and giving your home a classing new look. Wood planks on the ceiling give your home a country home feel and cost a fraction of removing and repainting the ceiling.
Drywall
Covering your popcorn ceiling texture using drywall will effectively remove the unsightliness of an aging popcorn ceiling. Applying a drywall compound or drywall panels will flatten the bumpiness of the popcorn texture. But keep in mind that fresh drywall will add about an inch to your ceiling and this may lower the resale value.
Plaster
The quickest and most straightforward way to get rid of your popcorn ceiling is to have a fresh layer of plaster or quick-setting drywall mud on the ceiling. As a replacement, plastering your ceiling afresh has the lowest cost of a ceiling remodeling project.
You can even apply a thin layer of plaster with a textured finish to give your ceiling some character.
Paint
A coat or two of paint will help cover any loose dirt on an old popcorn ceiling and brighten up the room. The best way to achieve an even paint job on the ceiling is to use a paint roller extension pole. Paint with a textured finish will give your ceiling an interesting look without going through the hassle and expense of removing popcorn ceilings.
Conclusion
The cost of removing your popcorn ceiling will vary depending on the extent of the work, with the national average coming in at $1.50 per square foot. The size of your room is also a major determinant of how much you eventually pay for the project.
Asbestos removal may cost extra since it requires special containment and removal procedures to avoid health hazards. To save money on your popcorn ceiling job, you can consider doing it as a DIY project or limiting the amount of new drywall that needs to be hung by leaving some existing drywall in place.
You can also explore other alternatives, such as wood planks, plastering, or applying fresh drywall mud. These are all relatively inexpensive ways to get rid of an unsightly popcorn ceiling and improve the aesthetics of your home.
References
https://www.fixr.com/costs/popcorn-ceiling-removal
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/popcorn-ceiling-removal-cost/
https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/walls-and-ceilings/remove-popcorn-ceiling/
https://homeguide.com/costs/popcorn-ceiling-removal-cost
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/asbestos/homeowner/heffects.html
