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How to Smooth a Stipple Ceiling

Oct 29, 2021

Getting rid of the popcorn ceiling look can be done in a few different ways. Find out more below.

If you’re tired of the popcorn ceiling look in your home, there are a few things you can do. We recommend removing it altogether as it gives you the most control over the look and feel of the home. But you can also smooth it out using drywall compound, or cover it with sheets of drywall. No matter what you choose to do, you will end up with the smooth texture you’re looking for. Below we’ll talk about the processes of smoothing out a popcorn ceiling.

Remove Stipple Ceiling

The first, and most recommended approach is to remove the stipple ceiling completely. This will get rid of the texture and will be the quickest route to having the smooth landscape you’re looking for. Then you can decide what type of design you want to come up with, whether it’s a smooth look with pot lights, decorative trimming, or a drop ceiling with bulkheads.

We are experts at removing popcorn ceilings quickly and safely and if you want to get a quote, contact us today.

Cover The Ceiling With Drywall

If you’d like to smooth the ceiling a different way, we can also cover up the textured look with new sheets of drywall. This method doesn’t require any removal of the popcorn type stipples and will give you the finish that you want via drywall and taping.

You start by finding the studs and drilling drywall sheets across the entire ceiling surface. Once you’ve got the drywall in place, you can mud and tape the ceiling the way you would with a typical ceiling or walls. Once it is taped and sanded down to a smooth finish, you can prime and paint it.

One of the drawbacks of drywalling over a stipple ceiling is that you will then have a lower ceiling by a few inches than before. Plus if you ever want to do any renovations in those rooms again, you will still have the material left behind with the stipple as well as the new drywall.

Skim Coat with Drywall Compound

Another way you can smooth over a stipple ceiling is to skim the entire surface with drywall compound. This method is one of the more time consuming choices to make, and it takes a steady hand, but can produce the result you want.

You can mix a large bucket of compound (you’ll need a lot) and begin coating over the surface of the ceiling with a relatively tick coat. You’ll want to cover almost every piece of stipple on the first run without making it so thick that excessive amounts will fall onto the floor and create a mess.

Once the first coat is in place, you’ll need to wait for it to dry completely so that you can put on the second and third coats. It usually takes at least a day for the first coat to dry as it is so thick. Once you’ve gone over the entire surface of the ceiling three times, or until it’s completely covered, you will have a smooth surface. Along the way, if you want to, you can always create a new textured design will the compound is wet. Although you may want to plan this particular step out in advance.

Conclusion

Now you know the few ways you can cover and smooth a stipple ceiling. As previously mentioned, we recommend removing it altogether as it is the easiest and quickest way to have your ceiling modernized and looking great. If you want more information about our services, give us a call for a free quote today.

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Stipple Ceiling Blog

How To Remove Popcorn Ceiling

30 Nov, 2021

There are a few important steps that are necessary when removing popcorn ceiling. Learn more about how you could do it yourself below.

Benefits of Removing Popcorn and Stipple Ceiling

28 Oct, 2021

Find out why removing stipple ceiling from your home is one of the easiest decisions you can make today.

Why Did Builders Use Stipple Ceilings?

28 Oct, 2021

Over the course of the 1900’s, materials used to build and decorate homes have changed quite a bit. A huge trend between the 1930’s and the 1980s was to install stipple ceilings throughout the home. Stipple ceiling is also known as popcorn ceiling, stucco ceiling, and even cottage cheese ceilings. Now, homeowners are electing to go with a smoothed out look in general. So, why did builders use stipple ceilings for so long? Here, we go a little deeper into that question. Why Homes Were Made With Stipple Ceilings Textured ceilings provided home owners and builders the opportunity to coat ceilings without the need to do extensive preparation and painting jobs. Because the popcorn style covering was installed using a spray-on application, there was no need to fix imperfections in the surface of the ceiling. It would save time for builders, and honestly, it was fairly mainstay in the construction community. Cutting down on the time needed to prep a ceiling would save builders their labour, and would save homeowners a little bit of money for that labour too. It was essentially a win-win in those times. Stipple ceilings are also good for sound reduction throughout the house. Because of the textured surface, sound doesn’t bounce the same way it does on a completed flat surface. The sound waves sort of dissipate after hitting the textured surface. This was especially helpful for the large style of homes that were prevalent in the mid 1900s. Why Did Builders Stop Using Stippled Ceilings? We found out, around the year 1978, that the material used to create the stipple ceilings often contain asbestos as one of the binding agents. Once it was realized that asbestos was a harmful chemical and caused certain types of cancers, it was banned first in the U.S, then in Canada. Now, if your home has asbestos in it, there is usually a fairly extensive removal process that is important for protecting you and your loved ones. Popcorn ceilings still exist with different materials, however. Once asbestos was banned, styrofoam took centre stage as the material that was best suited for textured ceilings. It was safe, relatively inexpensive, and did the job quite well. Why are Homeowners Removing Popcorn Ceilings? Popcorn ceilings, along with being potentially hazardous to people’s health if they contain asbestos, do not have the modern look that a lot of buyers and builders are looking for in the modern days. Simply by removing popcorn ceilings, you have a lot more options in terms of ceiling design, and possible buyer prospects. In another article we are covering the main benefits of removing popcorn ceilings. But in short, removing stipple from your home can add property value, and makes your home much more attractive to home buyers currently. Why Do Some Homes Still Have Popcorn Ceilings? A lot of homes that were built in the mid 1900s employ designs and layouts that speak to that time period. While removing popcorn ceiling can drastically modernize a home, keeping the textured ceiling may fit in quite well with the style of the home. Also, many homeowners are still happy with the look of the stipple ceiling and don’t see much of a reason to change it. While we are advocates for removing stipple, it can be beneficial to keep them around if you’re not planning to sell, since the texture hides imperfections, and it also acts as an acoustic sound muffler throughout the home.