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Popcorn ceilings is a slang term for ceiling surfaces that were created by spraying a material onto the wall. Usually, it is plaster. They are also called “cottage cheese ceilings” because of their appearance, which resembles popcorn or cottage cheese due to their uneven, hard appearance and texture.
Why do you need to remove popcorn ceiling
Many homes built before the 1980s had popcorn ceilings, mainly because they were cost-effective, relatively quick and easy to make. At that time, such finishings were popular and people liked them.
Popcorn ceilings were most often installed in bedrooms and hallways, mainly due to their light, white appearance, as well as their sound-absorbing properties.
But these days, homeowners have become much more sophisticated in their tastes when it comes to interior design and architecture and they want to remove popcorn ceiling. Also, since then, interior fashion has changed, and a different style has become popular. In addition, there are many different materials for finishing and decorating interiors on the market now.
In addition to the aesthetic component, popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos, which is another important reason why people want to get rid of such ceilings in favor of less dangerous materials. Asbestos can cause serious respiratory diseases and even cancer. It has been banned for use, but it may be present in older homes.
How Popcorn Ceiling Removal Professionals Work
There are several ways to remove popcorn ceilings depending on the condition of the surface, the desired appearance, and the presence of asbestos. In general, the process of removing popcorn ceilings will consist of the following steps:
1.Preparation: Protecting the area is the main key.
The contractors will cover all accessible surfaces and furniture in the house with plastic and other wall/floor covering materials. This will ensure that all furniture and household items are free of dust or paint/splatter that is inevitable during the job.
2.Scraping: This step involves the contractors scraping off the sprayed material to reveal a smoother finish underneath.
This process involves first softening the material and then scraping it off with special tools. This step can be tricky as it requires careful scraping to avoid damaging the surface underneath. Also, if the material contains asbestos, even more caution should be taken when using this method.
3.Drywalling: For a new smooth surface.
To get a completely new surface, some homeowners prefer to have the contractors install drywall over the popcorn ceiling material. This way, there is no risk of damaging the surface underneath, and there is no risk of releasing asbestos particles into the air.
4.Texturing the Drywall
The contractors apply a quick-setting drywall mortar and a bonding agent, such as joint compound, over the popcorn ceiling material, then a topcoat can also be applied to create a smooth surface.
5.Painting
A water-based primer is applied to the ceiling, then a coat of paint is applied depending on the color of the customer’s choice.
6.Cleaning: removing all materials, masking from the walls/floors.
The contractors clean up the dust after themselves, and the house is left looking like it was before they started the job.
Cost of popcorn ceiling removal
The cost to remove popcorn ceiling depends on the type of property, its features, and factors such as size, ceiling configuration, built-in cabinetry, etc.
Apartments usually require less work because the average size is smaller. Houses often require more preparation, and the size itself also affects the cost.
The minimum price is usually $1,600 per project. However, this increases depending on the preparation required, ceiling height, and other features.
The cost may increase if the ceiling is non-standard or there are other complications.
You can get a more accurate estimate if you contact the contractor and describe what you want to achieve.
