The Popcorn Ceiling: Past, Present, & Future: All About Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Do You Need To Paint Or Remove A Popcorn Ceiling? Expert Painting Contractors Weigh In

What Is Popcorn Ceiling: A Look Back At This Classic Ceiling Treatment

If there is one ceiling treatment that has the most instant recognition, and perhaps is one of the most debated ceiling treatments, it is undoubtedly the popcorn ceiling. At Paint Heroes, we are the top-rated professionals in painting, as well as finishing and ceiling related work, having helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners in our painting company to completely renovate and update their homes throughout the years. As such, what exactly is popcorn ceiling? Why was the popcorn ceiling style so popular in the building industry for new homes, and what should you consider when considering to paint, upgrade or remove your popcorn ceiling?

We will begin by answering these questions, and assist you with finding the best option for your home or business, based on either painting, upgrading or removing your popcorn ceiling.

To get expert house painter advice and learn about ways to improve your interior design, click here to see how a quality house painter can help give your home a fresh look.

The Rise of Popcorn Ceilings: From Fad to Standard Home Feature

Take a trip into virtually any home built between the late 1940's and early 1980's and you'll likely find a popcorn ceiling, also known as an acoustic ceiling or cottage cheese ceiling. So why did a bumpy ceiling finish create such a sense of warmth and comfort in the minds of suburban families? The answer lies in its practicality.

Popcorn ceilings were attractive to builders from the beginning because they had great acoustical properties that reduced echo and masked defects in a noisy home. Additionally, the bumpy finish provided a simple way to apply the finish via spraying, saving both time and money, especially during the large scale development of new subdivisions. Having worked in countless homes, regardless of age, at Paint Heroes, we've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of popcorn ceilings.

Anatomy of a "Popcorn Ceiling": The Composition of the Textured Finish

Have you ever taken a closer look at your popcorn ceiling and wondered how it got that knobby texture? Here's the lowdown: the texture itself is created using a combination of products (styrofoam or vermiculite) that are mixed into the paint or ceiling plaster and then sprayed onto the ceiling, or rolled on. The end product creates a surface that can cover imperfections in drywall (drywall imperfections), nail pops, and small cracks in the ceiling. This provides an advantage to both painters and builders.

There is, however, an important caution: Homes built before the late 1970’s often had asbestos in the formulas of the popcorn ceilings. As easy as this mineral made it to achieve the good qualities of durability and flame retardancy in addition to providing good qualities of a finish, it is very dangerous when it is disturbed. Thus, it is very necessary to never sand, scrape, or tear out an old popped ceiled ceiling unless the ceiling has been tested for the existence of asbestos. For reliable info on asbestos safety and home renovation precautions, please have a look at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s asbestos safety guide. Not sure if your house is a candidate? Call the certified house painters for a safe evaluation. Not sure if your house is a candidate? Call the certified house painters for a safe evaluation.

Popcorn Ceilings of Old and New: About Elegance and Style

So why is it that popcorn ceilings went out of vogue in the new homes of today? In coaching our customers through the process of whether to paint over their existing popcorn ceilings or completely remove them, we find that there are a number of key factors to pay attention to.

First of all, before you begin any of this work, it’s tremendously important to understand safety issues related to popcorn ceilings. If your house, like many in the Denver area, was built before 1980, you will want to have the ceilings tested for asbestos content. Asbestos was found in most all of the new square footage added to homes around that time (which included skim coating new ceilings with popcorn texture), and can pose serious health threats if it is disturbed. Only approved professionals should test for, and if necessary, remove it.

If it is determined that the popcorn ceilings contain no asbestos, homeowners then have a choice of painting them or removing them. If they choose to paint them, the textured surfaces must be well intact. However, there can be some advantages to simply painting the ceilings instead of removing the finish. The ceilings can look fantastic, and they are certainly much cheaper to paint than remove, at least food for thought. In order to avoid the flaking and peeling of the popcorn ceiling, the painter must have the correct tools and ways to do the job. Good painters, such as Paint Heroes, do this every day.

Removing a Popcorn Ceiling

If you would like a flat ceiling with a modern look, consider having a professional remove the popcorn ceiling or put a covering system on it. This is a more labor intensive (also more expensive) solution, but one that increases the value of your home as well as its attractiveness overall.

Do Popcorn Ceilings Affect the Sale of Homes?

According to, outdated ceilings sometimes work to decrease that value as determined in the appraisal or will slow the sale of the home. Knowing what the options are puts you ahead of the game.

Using the Proper Tools and Techniques: Why Experience Is Important

Even though there are many Do It Yourself types of sites online, taking care of popcorn ceiling projects both safely and artistically necessitates the use of the right products, preparation and equipment. Professional house painters use special rollers to keep the textured finish from being disturbed and paints especially formulated to remain free from fading or chipping with time. If removal becomes necessary, we bring with us not only the knowledge, but all of the personal protective equipment that is necessary, thus keeping your home and family safe from the possibility of health problems.

The Value of Replacing Your Popcorn Ceiling: Is a New Popcorn Ceiling Worth Its Weight in Gold?

Do you hesitate in replacing your popcorn ceiling, maybe it seems tremendous or tedious? Here’s the good news: removing or painting your popcorn ceiling can create a modern look and feel to a room, increase the reflection of natural light and actually give the feeling of height to your ceiling. If you need to add resale value to your home, a smooth, freshly painted ceiling goes a long way toward adding a competitive edge to your house on the market. Our staff at Paint Heroes works with home sellers and property investors routinely and they can offer you the best recommendations as to how to remodel your ceiling.

FAQ: On Popcorn Ceilings

Q: Is it safe for me to take out a popcorn ceiling myself?

Although this is apparently an easy job, there may be dangers of a hidden nature in old ceilings (like asbestos). We highly recommend you consult certified professionals who will test and (if so indicated) safely remove any ceiling. Don’t put your health and safety at risk!!

Q: Can I paint a popcorn ceiling or do I have to remove it?

Yes, you can certainly paint a popcorn ceiling as long as the texture is secure and it has never been painted with oil paint (which can in some cases lead to peeling). The type of paint used and equipment used appropiately is of utmost importance since in the wrong hands it may cause damage to the finished look, or an irregular finish.

Q: What is the best way to clean popcorn ceilings?

Use a feather duster or brush vacuum attachment to clean a popcorn ceiling. Wet methods of cleaning should be avoided, since moisture may loosen the popcorn texture, or cooks and stains from the material underneath may show.

Q: Do you think replacing my popcorn ceiling will improve the value of my home?

A smooth, neatly kept ceiling is a symbol of home maintenance, desirable by homebuyers and home inspectors. A professional finish from competent local house painters will no doubt make possible a higher resale price.

Q: What if I want another look and cannot afford a total replacement of my popcorn ceiling?

Painting will certainly be a cheaper prospect for the updating of your ceiling look, while certain paneling companies make foiling materials or skim coat systems available to give a new look without going through the inconvenience or expense of complete removal.

Is it Time to Breathe New Life into Your Ceilings? Put Yourself in the Way of Having The Professionals at Paint Heroes Help You Out!!

So contact us today to see what we can do for you, whether it be to say goodbye to your old popcorn so effectively or at the very least, instantly brighten your home again, the key factor is to have the right professionals to help you to get the best value possible.

Ready to transform your space? Learn more about how our experienced house painters near you can help create great finishes and modern interiors that elevate your home’s appeal.