Church Popcorn Ceiling Makeover

Popcorn has been on a steady decline since the 1980s. What used to be a popular trend and an aesthetic choice for most houses, popcorn ceilings were also designed as an inexpensive and easy way to hide drywall damage and imperfections. This quick and affordable application was incredibly useful in the ’50s, and marked a construction trend that lasted for decades to come. However, what used to be an inexpensive approach and design highlight, has lost its appeal due to the discovery of asbestos. Most popcorn ceilings in the past were constructed with materials that originally contained asbestos.  When the Clean Air Act was signed, manufacturers opted out of the use of popcorn ceiling applications.

Now most homes that we see today, especially newly constructed homes have flat white finish ceilings, which strikes homeowners with the impression of a modernized house style. Since the decline of popcorn ceilings, we have yet to see them make a comeback.

However, homes weren’t the only victims of the infamous popcorn ceiling trend, older commercial facilities also used the same practice. Removing a popcorn ceiling in a commercial setting can be a challenging and time-consuming task. If you wish to remove the popcorn ceiling texture yourself or are simply curious about what steps it takes to remove the popcorn, we have provided the necessary steps on how to remove the popcorn or texture ceiling:

Safety first: Before you begin removing the popcorn ceiling, it’s essential to take all necessary safety precautions. Wear protective clothing, gloves, a dust mask, and safety goggles to protect yourself from dust and debris. Additionally, turn off any electrical or HVAC systems in the area to prevent dust and debris from spreading.

Prepare the area: Next, prepare the area by covering floors and furniture with plastic sheeting to protect them from dust and debris. Use painter’s tape to seal off doorways and vents to prevent dust from spreading to other areas of the building. Additionally, use a spray bottle filled with water to dampen the ceiling before you begin scraping to help minimize dust.

Remove the popcorn ceiling: To remove the popcorn ceiling, use a scraper tool to gently scrape the textured surface off the ceiling. Work in small sections and be careful not to damage the underlying drywall. Once you have removed the popcorn texture, you may need to do some additional repairs to the ceiling, such as patching holes or sanding down rough areas. Finally, apply a new coat of paint or texture to the ceiling to give it a fresh look.

Popcorn Ceiling Church Case Study

Here’s a look at the popcorn ceiling removal project we did for a Baptist church in Statesville, NC. Within a 2-week time span, our team was able to remove the popcorn ceiling — sanded, prime, and repainted this cathedral 26-foot ceiling to the owner’s expectations.