Exploring Renovation Projects: Popcorn Ceiling Removal Tips

Before & After Popcorn Ceiling Removal

The following is a detailed list of tips and considerations when planning for Popcorn Ceiling Removal during a renovation project. These are the main points typically discussed with prospective clients during an initial consultation.

Advantages

• Modern Aesthetic: Removal provides a contemporary and updated look to your space.

• Increased Property Value: A smooth ceiling can enhance the overall value of your property.

• Enhanced natural light: Textured ceilings capture the light that would otherwise be multiplied through-out the room’s smooth surfaces.

• Reduction of allergens: Textured ceilings are more likely to harbour dust and mould, that get released into the air every time a door or window is opened or closed.

• Economical: Water damage from above units plumbing accidents or ingress from outside typically warrants drywall repairs. Textured ceilings complicate the process as the entire ceiling panel needs to be re-textured to achieve a consistent spray pattern (texture blends will likely be noticeable). A smooth surfaced drywall repair, or touch-up, will be more isolated to an area, without the need to mask an entire room full of furniture.

Disadvantages

• Potential Hazards: Popcorn ceilings may contain materials like asbestos, requiring careful handling.

• Requires High-Skill Level: to achieved a high-end finish

• Time-consuming: several coats of compounds present challenges for drying.

• Environmental conditions: The process is humid and dusty, and a hazard to personal property.

• Adjacent Surfaces are impacted: Walls, trim and doors will likely need to be painting after inside corners that join the walls to ceilings need to be flushed in order to achieve a sharp corner. The process of of working with heavy tools, humidity, dust, etc. will also have an impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to test for mold, asbestos, lead?

Properties build before 1990 will need to be tested if removal is necessary. If the process involves encasement, and no materials are being disturbed, it is not necessary.

Do I need to protect my floors?

If floors are not being replaced, then some form of protection is necessary. For the more sensitive surfaces an impact resistant paper, such as Ram Board or X-Board is more appropriate, where as regular builders paper is sufficient for more resilient floor types.

Do I need to protect my walls?

Walls, trim and doors will likely need to be painting after inside corners that join the walls to ceilings need to be flushed in order to achieve a sharp corner. The process of of working with heavy tools, humidity, dust, etc. will also have an impact.

Are Crown Moldings an issue?

If crown mouldings are set close to the ceiling, then there usually is no issue. However large gaps can prevent the finished ceiling to align with top portion of the mouldings.

Will cracks come back?

Structural cracks will likely return as a hairline crack after some time. Even if the framing under the drywall is given more support, there is never a guarantee.

Do items like lights, blinds, closet organizers, furniture, etc. need to be removed from the working area?

Lights, blinds, closet organizers, and furniture can all potentially impede ceiling work. They should all be carefully removed, stored, and reinstated. When hiring a contractor to work on the ceilings, it is advisable to have the property owner manage these tasks. In many cases the condo building may require a licensed electrician remove and re install lighting fixtures.

If I want to install Potlights, should that be done first?

The process of installing potlights will usually involve damaging drywall. As such, repairs will need to be done before the ceilings are finished.

What is considered an Unconventional Ceiling?

A conventional ceilings is usually level and approximately between 7.5’ and 8.5’. Ceilings taller than this, vaulted ceilings, skylights, bulkheads, side-plit architecture, stair wells, etc. are all considered to be unconventional.

What happens after the texture on the ceiling is removed?

Best practice is to remove the damaged, unstable, and loose texture, to provide for a solid substrate for several coats of skim coats. Each skim coat requires a day to dry, with sanding a detailing in between.

Do Skim Coats need a Primer?

A traditional drywall primer may not be appropriate for fresh plaster. A high building primer, or surfacer, is necessary as to equalize the porosity of the varying depths of the plastered surface. This is applied by sprayer and polished when dry.

In an cases where stain are bleeding through (nicotine, water damage, etc), a stain blocking primer should be applied before paint is applied.

What type of paint should be applied as a finish coat?

The final step is spraying on two coats of dead-flat white paint.

Can I pick a colour for finish coat of paint?

The most popular choice is to have a flat white paint, with no colour saturation. Many paint brands formulate their stock white, untinted, paints with this in mind. By specifying a tint to the paint, there is a risk of it looking to warm (yellow) or cool (blue or grey).

What Clean-up procedures are to be expected?

A general cleanup is typical. This includes the removal of garbage, dust and debris generated by a contractor. There may still be fine dust particles in the air and on the walls. At this stage, a painter will be onsite preparing the walls and sanding. This may generate more dust in the air. A deep clean will be necessary as the final stage of a renovation, often performed by a professional cleaning company.

As an extra step, and for those with sensitivities to fine dust and allergens, an air scrubber can be rented to filter out residual particles.

How many days does this whole process take on average?

For jobs between 500 to 1000 square feet it can take on average 7 to 10 days. Larger or more complicated projects can take longer.

What is the Cost of Popcorn Ceiling Removal?

This is the question everyone wants to know first. What is more important is to establish with your contractor what your expectations are. Do you want a high-end finish that is appropriate for a modern condo, or a rougher finish that is appropriate for a garage or basement. The square footage prices will range between $3 to $8 depending on the necessary tasks involved. Asking the contractor for pictures may not be enough to evaluate their abilities. It is advised to ask them to see their work in person and on site.