After enough time, popcorn ceilings begin to look dull, weary, and dated. Removing the popcorn texture coating is messy, but painting the popcorn ceiling is one way to bring back the ceiling’s sparkle and freshness for little cost and with minimal mess.
Type and Quantity of Paint to Use
Interior acrylic-latex paint is the best type of paint to use for popcorn ceilings. Flat or matte is the traditional sheen for ceilings, since it reduces light bounce. If you need to protect your ceiling from moisture, though, use eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint sheens.
Popcorn texture ceilings require more paint than flat ceilings. One gallon of ceiling paint covers between 400 to 500 square feet of flat ceiling; double the quantity of paint for popcorn ceilings.
Paint, Cover, or Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Painting a popcorn ceiling is just one way to improve its appearance. For the long-term, it’s helpful to weigh painting the ceiling against covering the ceiling or removing the popcorn texture.
Paint Popcorn Ceiling
Painting a popcorn ceiling is faster and easier than covering or removing the texture. It’s less expensive than covering the ceiling, too.
Cover Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn ceilings can be covered with 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch drywall or with tongue-and-groove wood planks installed directly over the popcorn texture. The covering is screwed into the joists above the ceiling.
Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn ceilings can be removed with warm water, a scraper, and plenty of patience. While it’s messy, it’s the ultimate way to return your ceiling to a flat state.
Safety Considerations
Some popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos. Prior to 1978, when federal law banned its use, asbestos was added to ceiling texture for its resistance to heat. Plus, the asbestos fibers helped strengthen the material. Through research, asbestos has been proven to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Popcorn ceilings in older homes may contain asbestos.
Asbestos does not always have to be removed. As long as the asbestos remains undisturbed, it can remain in place and be covered with paint or with drywall. If the asbestos-containing material is cut, broken, drilled, sawn, or sanded, asbestos fibers may be released into the air. Call qualified asbestos mitigation specialists if you need to do this.
Source: The Spruce
