7 Ways To Cover Dated Popcorn Ceilings Without The Hassle Of Scraping

"You know what's a fun DIY weekend project? Scraping my popcorn ceilings!" said no one, ever. Between testing your popcorn ceilings for asbestos and enduring the subsequent avalanche of falling debris, removing popcorn ceilings is usually an arduous job most homeowners could live without. But, when you find yourself counting dusty cobwebs and caked dimples instead of sheep, you know it's time to upgrade the textured ceiling. Popcorn ceilings date your home, and while most retro design elements tend to depart and circle back again, these outdated ceilings aren't in the running for a nostalgic resurgence.

Mercifully, bracing yourself for the neck sprain when you grab a scraper to chip at the ceiling and dodge the cheesy chunks coming loose isn't your only recourse. Instead, you can cover popcorn ceilings with drywall, wood planks, tiles, stretch fabric, or plaster. That way, you also minimize the risk of asbestos leaking from the crumbling popcorn material (vital for an old construction). To clue you in further on the available options, House Digest exclusively interviewed six experts with years of remodeling experience under their belts. Here's what they recommend.

A handy way to cover unsightly popcorn ceilings without scraping is to drywall over them, especially when they appear beyond salvation. Besides, drywalling may be the better option for pre-1980s homes with asbestos-based popcorn ceilings. This is because it insulates the carcinogenic material. Ryan Meagher, pre-construction manager at BVM Contracting, explains in a House Digest exclusive interview, "There are a few different methods to cover popcorn ceilings, but the easiest method for large rooms is to cover the existing ceiling with ⅜-inch drywall." You can find these gypsum boards at most big box retailers in 4-by-8-foot sizes. For instance, Lowe's carries Gold Bond's ⅜-inch Classic Drywall Panels.

Today, residential walls are typically finished using ½-inch drywall, which is thicker and heavier compared to its ⅜-inch counterpart. But the relative lightness makes it easier to screw the drywall to the ceiling studs (particularly when you're working without a drywall lift) and is adequate for a secondary layer. "The ⅜-inch drywall is thick enough to create a consistent finish overtop of the popcorn ceiling and is very easy to finish," Meagher explains. That's because you're taping and mudding along the seams and not the entire ceiling, keeping the mess on the low. However, he cautions that using drywall to cover popcorn ceilings can get expensive. Also, it can lower the ceiling height, which is why it's best utilized in spaces with headroom to spare.

While popcorn texture offers slight insulation properties, it's not the most insulating ceiling option. To bolster your popcorn ceiling's thermal capabilities while simultaneously making it more modern-looking, Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy, offers a trick in his House Digest exclusive interview. "I've found the best way to accomplish this is often to install an insulation board as your first layer against the popcorn ceiling, then cover your boards with drywall. This will tend to give you a nice uniform appearance and will very effectively cover up an outdated popcorn ceiling without the need to fully remove the finish." He finds this to be particularly useful in attics that experience temperature extremes.

While there are plenty of options to choose from, rigid foam insulation usually works best with popcorn ceilings. That's because it keeps the heat inside, and repels moisture and rot. Since foam insulation usually isn't fire-resistant, covering it with drywall ensures you adhere to building codes, especially if you are in a high-occupancy building. Stick to 1-inch thickness, or you might require longer drywall screws. Also, use adhesive for extra stability when putting up your drywall.

If you don't mind breaking the mold, Myles Robinson, founder and home expert at UK Composite Doors, offers a unique option: fabric or stretched ceiling systems. "These involve installing a lightweight fabric stretched tightly across the ceiling, creating a sleek, modern look," he says in a House Digest exclusive interview. Essentially, manufacturers mount aluminum tracks about 1 inch from the popcorn ceiling. Upon these, they extend the fabric or PVC membrane of your choosing to mask the stippled ceiling. Stretched fabric offers the additional benefit of improving the room's acoustics and is composed of special fibers that ensure it holds its shape.

Stretched ceiling systems are highly customizable and you can utilize the space between the tracks and the popcorn ceiling to pass electrical wires. They're also quite easy to clean and maintain. That being said, Robinson observes, "It's a unique approach that doesn't require heavy construction, but it's less conventional and may not fit every homeowner's style."

Putting up drywall may not be suitable in small rooms as the dropped ceiling height can shrink the space further. Moreover, it adds weight to the ceiling, which may be detrimental for some homes. Under such circumstances, Timothy Wood, founder and CEO of Fix It Today, recommends skim coating the popcorn ceiling in his exclusive interview with House Digest. "This eliminates the problem of reduced height and extra weight," Robinson shares. "For a simpler DIY-friendly solution, consider a ceiling plaster skim coat. This involves applying a thin layer of joint compound directly over the popcorn texture to smooth it out. It's an excellent way to retain the original ceiling height and can be quite cost-effective."

Although skim coating is certainly an affordable way to say goodbye to popcorn ceilings as it doesn't require a lot of tools (save for an all-purpose joint compound, trowel, and some sandpaper). However, be prepared to budget for professional help if you don't have a steady hand. Indeed, Wood feels that as homeowners struggle to apply the compound evenly, they usually cannot DIY it and, eventually, call in the pros. So, be prepared to spend at least $300 to $450 to have a contractor skim coat over your unsightly popcorn ceilings. "Also, it might involve some sanding, so it's still not ideal if your popcorn ceiling has asbestos," Wood warns. Robinson voices his concerns too, stating that skim coating "is best suited for ceilings where the popcorn texture isn't excessively thick." Otherwise, you'll have to apply multiple coats to even out a highly textured ceiling.

If you're not ready to get your plaster knife out just yet, adhesive ceiling tiles may be the solution for you. "These still add weight and reduce the ceiling's height, but to a far lesser extent than the other options already mentioned," explains Wood. You also get to enjoy the benefits of bringing one of the tile trends and styles HGTV stars love alive in your home. For instance, you could mimic the way Hillary Farr blended rustic, country kitchen charm into a modern home with tin ceiling tiles. Or, you can add some European romance with faux plaster ceiling tiles. Alternatively, play it safe and match the fifth wall to your room's walls by sticking plaster-look mineral fiber tiles to the popcorn ceiling. 

Don't go overboard with the designs (and pick lightweight options), as ceiling tiles can come off sometimes, warns Wood. "My advice is to choose a design that's not too crazy hard to find in case you'll need replacements." It's also ideal to check your popcorn ceiling for stability — just press it down to see if it disintegrates. If it does, consider other alternatives, as the tiles may not hold for long.

If you like the idea of putting up drywall, but aren't fully onboard because of the complicated process, Aaron Lipman, owner of Two Brothers Foundation Repair, has a more straightforward, faster, and cleaner option. "Install light tongue-and-groove wood planks to create a shiplap-style ceiling. It's a good, easy way to update your home without having to scrape anything," he suggests in his exclusive interview with House Digest. Plus, they infuse coziness, warmth, and timeless personality with their grainy texture, which is a far cry from drywall's more sterile look.

"In this method, the planks are glued and nailed directly over the popcorn ceiling, covering the old texture entirely and giving your room a neat, custom appearance," he explains. However, if your ceiling is highly uneven and damaged, lay wood shims or furring strips beforehand so that the wood planks gain a better foothold. Lipman feels that this approach is best used for spaces in want of warmth and visual appeal, such as living rooms and kitchens. As with drywall, you must contend with a slightly lower ceiling height. "While this might be noticeable in a smaller room, the clean, uniform finish can make the space feel larger when painted in a light color like white or soft gray."

When you can't stand the look of popcorn ceilings in your home, but aren't ready to spend time and money on a total revamp, consider painting them over, perhaps even in a dark shade. "Paint can actually be a great way to get rid of popcorn ceilings," advises Andy Ellis, managing director at Posh UK, in an exclusive House Digest interview. "If you use an acrylic-latex paint, it can make the texture less visible and remove it from view completely. You can use either a flat or matte paint as this will help reduce it further." If you choose a darker tone, this can also help disguise the texture. Note that you must lay down the paint thick for the intended effects, thus requiring twice the usual amount for full coverage.

As for the technique, Ellis suggests, "The first coat should be used to fill in the gaps and work around all the lumps and bumps on the ceiling, and then the second coat can be applied to smooth out imperfections." Keep your arm steady and your touch light, lest the popcorn texture starts flaking. Also, don respiratory masks as an added protective measure. "When you use a roller, make sure you move in a W shape. It helps give you more even coverage and also means you're definitely working the paint into all the gaps," adds Ellis. That being said, unless you're positive your ceilings don't contain asbestos, desist from sanding over any imperfections. And for a final word of warning: Removing painted popcorn ceilings will be infinitely harder because the paint doubles as a sealant, making this method best for ceilings that you plan to have professionally removed, or planked or drywalled over in the future.