How to Paint a Textured Ceiling
Posted on December 21, 2021
If your home has a textured ceiling that looks a little dingy, you might consider a new coat of paint. Over the years textured ceilings have come in and out of fashion. Some older homes used a “mop” texture, while many modern homes have a “popcorn” ceiling texture. Textured ceilings can be troublesome to paint without experience, so today we’ll discuss a few methods to make the project successful.
Brushing
This method of painting a textured ceiling is generally considered the least popular as it often requires the most effort. When using a brush is necessary, the pros recommend using a wide, long bristle brush. Textures are sometimes tough to paint because getting to every nook and cranny can require painting the same area several times from different angles. Especially if the ceiling is high, painting it with a brush can be labor-intensive, in addition to all of the climbing. When the pros must use a brush, often they will employ scaffolding instead of ladders, as scaffolding can be equipped with casters for ease of movement.
Rolling
Rolling is often the most popular method of painting a textured ceiling because it uses simple tools and can be easily controlled. In most cases, the pros will use a long nap roller or a foam roller designed for textured ceilings. Long nap rollers have strands that are long enough to access the small areas. This long nap also holds more paint than a short nap version, so reloading is less frequent.
Foam rollers designed for textured ceilings have a special shape that allows them to flex with the texture. Essentially these foam rollers are quite smooth but include slots cut into the foam. These slots bend and conform to the texture as pressure is applied, making complete coverage easy. These foam rollers also act as a sponge, so they often help avoid drips when the roller is pressed against the surface.
Spraying
Spraying ceiling paint is generally the fastest, which is why most pro painters use them. However, in most cases, spraying textured ceilings is most advantageous when the room is empty. Whole interiors can be painted in one day using this method, but setup and cleanup can make spraying one room overkill. Smaller, more accurate spray tips are available for this purpose, but in many situations, often the pros will simply employ as many drop cloths as needed and use a roller
