Remove, cover or paint over a popcorn ceiling?
There are three ways to deal with a popcorn ceiling you don't like: scrape it off, cover it, or paint it. Removal gives the cleanest result. Covering skips the scraping. Painting costs the least, keeps the texture, and makes later removal harder.
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Can you paint over a popcorn ceiling?
Yes. A sprayer or a thick-nap roller works, and the texture soaks up a lot of paint. Rolling can pull loose texture off the ceiling, so painting suits popcorn that is firmly attached. Once painted, popcorn won't soften with water, which makes any future removal slower and more expensive.
If the texture hasn't been tested and the house is older, test before painting. A roller pressing on the texture can disturb it.
Can you cover a popcorn ceiling?
Thin drywall can be screwed through the texture into the joists and finished like a new ceiling, or the ceiling can be covered with planks or panels. Covering skips the scraping, so it's worth pricing when popcorn has been painted several times or the drywall underneath is in poor shape. It lowers the ceiling slightly and means moving light fixtures, fans, vents and smoke detectors.
If the texture contains asbestos, covering it counts as enclosure under Florida law, which is a form of abatement when a contractor does it. Talk to a licensed asbestos contractor before planning it.
Removing it
Scraping takes the texture off for good and lets you choose the finish: smooth, knockdown or orange peel. In Orlando, Angi puts most jobs at $889 to $2,770. See what removal costs in Orlando.
The options side by side
| Option | Result | Relative cost | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint over it | Same texture, fresher color | Lowest | You can live with the texture and it's firmly attached |
| Cover it | New flat ceiling, slightly lower | Middle to high | Popcorn is heavily painted or the drywall is damaged |
| Remove it | Smooth or new texture, original height | Middle to high | You want the texture gone and the ceiling tests negative |
Relative costs are general. Get quotes for the options you're considering, for the same rooms.
Questions people ask
Is removing popcorn worth it before selling?
Many buyers see popcorn as dated, and an older ceiling raises the asbestos question. Whether removal pays back depends on the house and the market. Note that Florida's owner exemption for asbestos removal doesn't apply to a home that is for sale or lease.
Can I paint popcorn that has asbestos?
Painting doesn't remove asbestos, and in Florida, encapsulating asbestos is abatement when a contractor does it. The EPA's advice for intact material that won't be disturbed is to leave it alone.
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Call for popcorn removal, a smooth finish or ceiling repair.
Call (407) 555-0123