The Benefits of Getting Rid of Your Popcorn Ceiling
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Photo credit: My Modern Met, Mario Mankey
Updated for 2025! This blog was originally published in 2020, but we’ve expanded and refreshed it with new insights on how popcorn ceilings affect air quality, home aesthetics, and even resale value. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to smooth out that outdated ceiling, now’s the perfect time to learn why so many homeowners say they wish they had done it sooner!
How a Foot Through a Floor Led to a Smooth Ceiling
We all make mistakes! We're human and we're the first to admit our weaknesses! We never try to cover up a mistake or a problem with our work. We have more integrity than that! So, when one of our team members accidentally misstepped and put his foot through the open floor of the ensuite bathroom we were working on, we immediately told the client about the issue and proceeded to execute the repair.
Now here's the complicating factor: the hole that was left was in a stucco/popcorn ceiling that stretched from the very large living room out into the hallway and through to the front entrance. The hole itself was small, maybe 8" x 8", but the area we would have to deal with to correct this mistake was HUGE! Aside from the kitchen, this was much of the main floor of the house. Now, a normal hole in the ceiling would be quick and easy to repair, but stucco? That's a different story!
You know that horrible popcorn ceiling that everyone hates? We always get asked to scrape stucco or popcorn ceilings and skim them smooth! Not only does it have a dated look, but it also traps dust and allergens, making your home feel stuffy no matter how clean you keep it.
We were fortunate to have Rob as a full-time professional taper, so we had the best in the business working on this repair. However, when the stucco has been sprayed on mechanically by the original builder, no matter how good you are, you will never match it perfectly! And we knew that! There was no question about what we had to do! We were scraping all of the stucco off the main floor ceiling, skim coating everything, and priming and painting the ceiling on the main floor of the house! All at no charge to our client! We were going to fix our mistake and fix it properly!
Our client had always hated her stucco ceiling, so she was thrilled we made this mistake! She loves her new smooth ceiling and was so pleased that we were an honest company that stood behind our work ... and our mistakes!
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Our Most Requested Renovation Project
Next to requests for quotes on kitchen and bathroom renovations, our most requested quote is to remove the stucco or popcorn off of ceilings. Most of our clients want this done for aesthetic reasons, but there are some important health hazards associated with stucco ceilings.
What is a Popcorn Ceiling?
Many homes built in the late 1930s through the 1990s have popcorn ceilings or some type of texture applied overhead. It was used to cover up a lot of flaws in the ceiling. It was time-effective and cost-efficient. Often called an acoustic ceiling, it also served the purpose of absorbing sound and reducing noise. These ceilings resemble cottage cheese. You'll essentially have bumpy stuff stuck to your ceiling. Some even have 1970s-era sparkles embedded in them.
Health Hazards: Asbestos
Some popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. Asbestos is a generic term used to describe any of six naturally occurring fibrous materials. Because of its positive qualities, such as its strength and heat resistance, it was widely used in building construction beginning in the late 1800s. It was commonly used for things like fireproofing material for steel beams and columns, added to concrete, asphalt, floor tiles, and pipes, and as a component in mixtures for sprayed-on ceilings and walls.
It was a common ingredient in popcorn ceilings, but because of its health hazards, it was banned in 1977. However, many companies still continued using left-over materials containing asbestos for another year or so.
Asbestos fibres can cause lung disease, scarring of the lungs, and lung cancer when inhaled in large quantities, but asbestos isn't dangerous if it's undisturbed or contained. Also, not all asbestos is created equal. Of the six types, some are far more dangerous to your health than others.
You might not want to run the risk in your home all the same. You can't tell if a surface contains asbestos unless you test it. It's not visible to the naked eye. You'll have to obtain a sample of the ceiling and send it to a laboratory that specializes in identifying asbestos.
At Multi-Trade Building Services, we believe in doing things the right way—whether it’s transforming outdated popcorn ceilings or managing full-scale renovations. Our commitment to honesty, communication, and quality craftsmanship is what sets us apart.
A Dust Trap That Impacts Air Quality
Popcorn ceilings don’t just look outdated; they also trap dust, pet dander, and other allergens in all those little bumps and crevices. If you’ve ever noticed a layer of dust on furniture no matter how often you clean, imagine how much is collecting on your ceiling! And since it’s so difficult to clean, that dust just sits there, affecting your indoor air quality.
Many of our clients have reported breathing easier after removing their popcorn ceilings. One client had struggled with allergies for years, assuming it was just something he had to live with. After we removed the popcorn from his main floor, he noticed a significant improvement in his congestion. A month later, he had us remove the popcorn from his second floor as well, and within two months, he was breathing freely for the first time in years!
If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues, removing your popcorn ceiling can make a noticeable difference in how you feel every day.
Reducing Allergens and Improving Air Quality
In addition to trapping dust, popcorn ceilings can also harbor mold and mildew in humid environments. This is especially common in older homes where moisture control wasn't as advanced as it is today. If you’ve noticed a musty smell or suspect that your home has high humidity, your popcorn ceiling could be part of the problem.
With a smooth ceiling, dust and allergens have nowhere to hide, making it much easier to keep your home clean and fresh. Plus, smooth ceilings reflect light better, giving your home a brighter and more open feel.
Increasing Your Home’s Re-Sale Value
Removing the popcorn ceiling also increases the value of your home. Today’s home buyers much prefer the look of smooth ceilings, and if the home they purchase has popcorn ceilings, they often have them removed prior to moving in. By getting this project done in your home, you are increasing the value of your home and making it much more attractive to potential buyers, which helps it sell faster.
Once you remove the popcorn from the ceiling, you may even find that your room looks brighter. The popcorn on the ceiling makes rooms appear darker as the texture absorbs shadows from the light.
The upkeep and maintenance of a popcorn ceiling are pretty high. If you have a crack in your ceiling or water damage from a room above, it will be next to impossible to match the popcorn perfectly again. It WILL be noticeable no matter how well you match the existing popcorn, and your eye will always be drawn to that spot. As well, when you are selling your home, it draws attention to an area where there might have been water damage and raises questions about whether the issue has truly been resolved.
Aesthetic Transformation—How Your Home Will Look and Feel After Popcorn Removal
Imagine walking into your home and feeling like the ceilings have been lifted. The room looks bigger, brighter, and more polished—like a space you’d see in a high-end magazine rather than a decades-old builder-grade home. That’s the magic of removing a popcorn ceiling.
Popcorn ceilings have a way of making a room feel heavy, closed-in, and outdated. The rough texture absorbs light, creating subtle shadows that make the entire space feel darker than it actually is. But once it’s gone? The difference is night and day.
When we scrape away that textured surface, your ceiling becomes a smooth, seamless canvas that reflects light evenly, instantly brightening the space. It’s a transformation that doesn’t just look better—it feels better, too. Clients often tell us they didn’t realize how much their popcorn ceilings were weighing down the overall aesthetic of their home until they saw the sleek, modern look of a freshly smoothed ceiling.
Now let’s talk about style—today’s homes are all about clean lines and open, airy spaces. A smooth ceiling gives your home that updated, sophisticated look, whether your decor is contemporary, traditional, or somewhere in between. It’s the kind of upgrade that doesn’t just refresh a room; it elevates the entire home.
Many of our clients say that after having their popcorn ceilings removed, they wish they’d done it years ago. It’s like taking off a pair of old, foggy glasses and finally seeing everything clearly. If you’re ready for a home that looks brighter, cleaner, and more elegant, it might be time to say goodbye to the popcorn for good!
For more information on small jobs you can do around the house that will have a big impact, check out the blog posts below:
The Importance of Re-Caulking Your Windows: Keep the Draft Out
How to Use Trim and Doors to Update Your Home
Small Jobs that Update Your Home and Increase its Value: Part 1
Small Jobs that Update Your Home and Increase its Value: Part 2
Small Changes, Big Impact: Transform Your Home One Step at a Time
Want to hire us to put our foot through your ceiling?
If you have popcorn ceilings in your home, the benefits of removing them and creating a smooth, elegant ceiling surface are numerous.
So do you have some popcorn you need scraped off in your home? Click the button below to hire us to put our foot through your ceiling!
