Popcorn Ceiling Removal vs Cover Up

There are essentially two paths for getting rid of popcorn ceiling appearance. Scrape and skim the existing surface, or cover it with a new layer of thin drywall or plaster. Both leave a smooth finished ceiling. They get there by very different routes.

Scrape and skim

This is the default approach for most Hewitt and Waco homes. The crew masks off the room, wets and scrapes the texture, patches any damage, skims, sands, primes and paints. Ceiling height stays the same. Crown molding, fixtures and vents stay in place with minor adjustments.

The downside is that it is dusty work and it exposes any damage that was hiding under the texture. That damage is repaired as part of the job, but it takes extra time.

Cover up with new drywall

Covering means screwing a thin layer of new drywall directly over the popcorn ceiling, then taping, skimming and finishing that new layer. The old texture is never disturbed.

The advantages are lower dust and no need to disturb pre 1980 ceilings that could contain asbestos, since the material is sealed rather than scraped. The disadvantages are added weight on the ceiling framing, slightly lower ceiling height, and the need to modify every light fixture, fan and vent to accept the extra thickness. Crown molding usually has to come down and go back up.

Which one is right for your home

Scrape and skim is usually the right choice for post 1980 homes, for owners who want the ceiling to stay at its original height, and for anyone who values the cleanest possible finish over the long term.

Cover up is worth considering for pre 1980 homes where the sample would otherwise require asbestos abatement, and for ceilings so damaged that scraping would essentially mean a full replacement anyway.

What most homeowners choose

The majority of Hewitt and Waco projects use scrape and skim because most local homes are post 1980 and because the finish is cleaner and lower profile. The referral crews walk you through both options during the free on site quote.