Tribute to Realtors & Builders 25
Ponte Vedra Recorder · September 24, 2015
Leave the popcorn to the movies
(BPT)
Calling all DIY enthusiasts: Those popcorn ceilings have to go. They don’t get much love from
homeowners or homebuyers, and they can really
bring down the overall look and feel of an otherwise
attractive room.
Popcorn ceilings haven’t really represented stylish
home design since disco was on the radio, though
they’ve certainly lingered a little longer.
Whether you’re interested in a fresh look for your
own family or updating your home before putting it
on the market, upgrading from a popcorn ceiling is a
great investment. As the largest uninterrupted space
in any room, the ceiling gives you a golden opportunity to add interest or infuse your personality.
Mark Clement, a general contractor and blogger
on MyFixItUplife, regularly advises homeowners on
the best ways to create the most value and appeal in
their home. “Ceilings really do make a greater impact
than people realize,” he says. “The right choice can
help a room soar - but you probably won’t get that
effect with a popcorn ceiling.”
“New ceilings are a great update, and with today’s
options, they’re incredibly easy to install yourself,”
Clement says. “Stylish ceiling details really turn
heads, and a new ceiling can make a dark or uninviting room feel bigger and brighter.”
But, before you grab your scraper, Clement has a
few words of caution about tackling popcorn ceiling
removal as a DIY project. “To remove a popcorn ceiling, you have to really be committed to the task. You
can certainly do it yourself, but be forewarned that
it can create a gigantic mess. You’ll want to consider
all of your options carefully, from removing to simply
covering it up, based on your time and budget. Patience is also a factor!”
If you know you want to make a change, but
you’re not sure of the best way to move forward,
here are a few key factors you need to consider
when addressing your popcorn ceiling(s):
Stains: You can’t put lipstick on a pig.
Water problems, cracks and other issues that leave
blemishes on your ceiling can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you have a popcorn ceiling that
makes it difficult to simply paint over. Covering or removing that ceiling allows you to fix the noticeable,
distracting blemishes overhead and clear the path for
a stylish upgrade.
Scraping: Get ready to get messy.
Popcorn ceilings don’t get enough credit for tenacity, really. Once applied, they’re not easy to remove!
At best, you’ll be soaking your ceiling with water
(and possibly your walls along the way) before
scraping the resulting slop off with a drywall knife.
At worst, the water won’t get through all of your
layers of paint, and you’ll be breaking out the heavy
machinery to sand or scrape through it all, kicking
up dust. It’s doable, but it’s a lengthy process and not
for the faint of heart.
Cover it up: The easy way to fix ugly.
Don’t worry though - you can always cover up
your popcorn ceiling by installing a new ceiling over
the existing one. Manufacturers like Armstrong Ceil-
ings have many options: wood planks, metal tiles or
patterned panels. How-to videos show how easy it is
to install a new ceiling in as little as a day.
To our modern eyes, popcorn ceilings definitely
look a bit stale, but the good news is you’re not
stuck with them. There are a number of options to
freshen up your look and turn your ceilings into the
fun, festive spaces that match your true style.