We have one of those speckled or popcorn ceilings, is there any benefits to these? Also, what are the cons do these ceilings and is there any way to get rid of them?
2007-07-30 03:44:08 · 12 answers · asked by mom2abigsis 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Interesting question. The main benefit of a popcorn ceiling is for the contractor. It takes time, effort and skill (aka money) to make those wall and ceiling seams smooth, so to save time and $$ contractors just smooth the walls and spray the ceiling. I think if contractors could get away with making popcorn walls, they would! LOL So, just be aware before your start that most likely there's not a smooth ceiling waiting for you.
Removing the popcorn is easy, but it's MESSY. If you haven't moved into the house, you're lucky...but all you have to do is remove the furniture from the room (not absolutely necessary, but makes life easier when having to move ladders), cover the ENTIRE floor with plastic, then using a pump sprayer (the kind you find in the gardening department at walmart or lowes) fill it with water and spray the ceiling getting it wet, but not soaking wet. You MIGHT be able to get away using a spray bottle, but I think it would take a whole lot of spraying to be able to adequately saturate the popcorn material, and your cramped hand would hate you!
Let the water completely soak in for about 10 minutes and then take a wide putty knife, GENTLY scrape to see if it has loosened. I would do a small area first, about a square foot, just to get an idea of how much to spray on, and how long to leave it. Then, with that information, and how comfortable you are with this task, do either large sections, or if you have a helper, spray the entire ceiling. When properly saturated, this stuff pretty much comes right off, almost in sheets. To clean the bits left over, I was tired of going up and down ladders and used a sponge mop with a NEW sponge head on it to clean the residue.
Hopefully, the contractors finished the ceiling good enough for you to just let the ceiling dry so you can prime it (don't forget to prime, otherwise the paint will peel off in a couple of years) and paint. If it's not smooth and you're not comfortable with doing that, you always have the option of taking slightly thinned down joint compound and a wide putty knife and creating a texture which is more "acceptable" than popcorn. If you go that route, don't waste time buying one gallon...at the very least, a 5 gallon bucket (and prime after)
Oh, and make sure you're safety glasses, a dust mask and wearing some sort of scarf to protect your hair...trust me, I forgot the last bit and it's not fun trying to comb that guck out of your hair. Have fun!
Hope this helps, and good luck with your project.
2007-07-30 04:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by J P 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Benefits Of Popcorn
2016-10-30 01:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
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What are the benefits of a popcorn ceiling? Is there anyway to make it flat?
We have one of those speckled or popcorn ceilings, is there any benefits to these? Also, what are the cons do these ceilings and is there any way to get rid of them?
2015-08-18 06:54:11 · answer #3 · answered by Natalie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate popcorn ceilings, as dust, cobwebs, ect. cling to it and it's not very easy to clean off without making a bigger mess. Not to mention that over time, pieces start falling off. It's a mess to get rid of. Instead of completely getting rid of ours, we used a broom and swept it real good, then repainted. The stuff soaks paint up, but in the end what didn't get brushed off, sealed back down. Still has a popcorn look, but not as heavy as it was. Looks much better! Years ago, it wasn't only used to hide imperfections, but was the "in thing" for texture.
2007-07-31 02:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only benefit, besides appearance (if you like the look) is acoustical. There are some sound absorbing qualities to that type of ceiling.
As for removing that type of ceiling. If humidity or water is applied to that type of ceiling then it is easily removed with a regular drywall trowel.
2007-07-30 03:50:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Usually popcorn ceilings are used to hide a bad drywall job. The popcorn is fairly easy to remove, if you dampen it you can usually scrape it off. The problem then is than in order to paint the ceiling you'd need to repair whatever caused them to put it up in the first place.
2007-07-30 03:51:28 · answer #6 · answered by wolfatrest2000 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The popcorn/speckled coating covers imperfections and some people just like the look. The only way to remove it is by sanding it off. It's a messy job and you need to be good with a sander to do it yourself. Also, it's hard on the back, arms and neck since you are working over your head. Probably easier to hire a professional.
2007-07-30 03:52:42 · answer #7 · answered by Barbara B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Popcorn design was for looks but has a little sound absorbency to it. The finish is soft so can be removed easily (but time consuming) by scraping and then sanding. Some fill touch up may then be needed.
2007-07-30 03:53:32 · answer #8 · answered by len b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you don't like it then you could hide it with panels hanging from the ceiling. Artist Canvas is really great for this and if you are feeling artistic you can paint them. The cons of this type of ceiling is they can fall apart in chunks if not done right and can be a hassle to repair.
2007-07-30 03:52:40 · answer #9 · answered by Shérry 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No benefits, mostly dirt collectors and very 80's. Unfortunately, the only way to get it off is to scrape.
2007-07-30 04:44:08 · answer #10 · answered by dawnb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋