[Laker14]

Back in August I started this thread asking about experiences with popcorn ceiling removal and replacement...

Removing Popcorn Ceiling in a Gardenia

We went ahead and had it done and I thought others who might be contemplating the process would be interested in how things worked out.

Based upon recommendations from the original thread, and online reviews I went with
Textures by Blue Sky, out of Orlando. They did not need to come out and visit our home to provide an estimate. They were able to do so based on some Q & A over the phone, and the address.

By end of business that day I had an estimate in hand for the job. My Gardenia, approximately 1900 sq. feet (floor area, but that's what they used to calculate the estimate).

Removal of existing popcorn and application of "knockdown texture", $2600, and it's a one day job.

New texture requires at least 48 hours to cure before paint application.

Painting of new ceiling, $1850 , again a one day job.

There are things the homeowner is responsible to have done before the first job, and it's a significant list:

Walk in closets need to be empty of clothes and shelving. I have those wire shelves that after some removal of some parts, were able to hang straight down from their brackets, and that was sufficient. Still a PITA job, and then we had to find someplace to put our clothes. And you have to live like this until the entire job is completed.

Fan blades have to be removed from fans, and the collars that go up against the ceilings have to be unscrewed and dropped, unless you are okay with the treatment not being done under those collars.
Likewise for any "can" lights you have..
All knick-knacks have to be removed from shelves, as well as wall hangings that aren't firmly and securely attached. TV was OK as is.

All of that is a significant undertaking and a disruption to your lives while the process is being undertaken.

One full day while the crew is doing Phase One, your home is inaccessible to you. We aren't really comfortable with leaving the home entirely to strangers so we arranged for one of us to be on the lanai at all times. We couldn't see a thing as far as what was going on inside because all of the windows are covered with their plastic, but at least we were there.

End of day they leave and there is some significant cleaning up to do. Little flecks of old stuff. They get 99% of it, but there is still some to be done.

We live in a house with a lot of our stuff in the garage, and it's disruptive for a few days, until the painters come in and spend nearly the full day painting the ceiling. After they are done we have to undo all of the stuff we did to prep. And things are a bit dust etc etc...

I give the company, Textures by Blue Sky, good reviews. There was a small issue after the first crew left ( they didn't clean up after themselves as well as they should have), despite having left the house by 1:00 PM, and when I emailed the person who handled my estimate he was not happy to hear about it and promised me it would all be taken care of by the paint crew, and it was.
My feeling on this is everyone screws up once in a while, and if it's taken care of properly and promptly, I can live with it. IMO this was well taken care of by the company.

So it's done. It was a PITA, and we aren't yet back to normal, as we still have things to put back in order. The job was just completed yesterday, so a lot of stuff to be done.

We are happy we did it, we thought the price was fair, and the results quite good. Glad to have that 20 year old, never been painted popcorn gone.

[Aces4]

Kudos to you! After having that ceiling removal in an empty house, you couldn't pay us enough to have it done while we lived there. And now on to the next project, (there's always another project somewhere). Maybe custom closets would in your future vs those old, wire racks. You'll never regret installing those. Enjoy your new ceiling.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Laker14

It was a PITA, and we aren't yet back to normal. Glad to have that 20 year old, never been painted popcorn gone.

I have never understood why some people hate popcorn ceilings enough to put themselves through this huge upheaval.

They can be (spray) painted, and the contractors will cover up all of the furniture etc. and be done in a few hours.

Each to his own.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

I have never understood why some people hate popcorn ceilings enough to put themselves through this huge upheaval.

They can be (spray) painted, and the contractors will cover up all of the furniture etc. and be done in a few hours.

Each to his own.

I talked to a painting contractor about it and he cautioned me that even spraying it can cause it to delaminate from the ceiling.
In addition to that, going through the spray painting process is half of the ordeal of doing the removal and then painting.
Like you say, each to his own. I am happy it's gone.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Laker14

I talked to a painting contractor about it and he cautioned me that even spraying it can cause it to delaminate from the ceiling.
In addition to that, going through the spray painting process is half of the ordeal of doing the removal and then painting.
Like you say, each to his own. I am happy it's gone.

I agree with spraying can cause delaminate. Especially 15yo ceilings. When my parents were looking at TV homes in 2002, first thing on the list was removing popcorn before moving in. He said as it aged painting would cause problems with small sections falling, repairing not worth, replacing only option. His method of removal was messy but got the job done. Nowadays the electric dustless machines get the job done quickly, with minimal mess.

He was a rough carpenter, but took the time to teach me everything from stud to finishing Cove ceiling. Came in handy when daughter bought a 125 yo home with 16’ cove ceilings in need of repairs and original hard wood floors to bring back to life.

[TNGary]

Thank you for taking the time to sharing these details OP, much appreciated!!!

[Garywt]

I too do not understand the hatred of popcorn ceilings. I am not 100% sure what a popcorn ceilings is. I myself do not need to spend money on something is perfectly fine.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Garywt

I too do not understand the hatred of popcorn ceilings. I am not 100% sure what a popcorn ceilings is. I myself do not need to spend money on something is perfectly fine.

that's great.
My house, my money etc.
This isn't really an argument about whether or not to remove popcorn ceilings, it's a conversation about how I went about having mine removed and how it went.
On the first thread there was a lot of bad information about the process.

My intent here is to inform people who have the stuff, don't like it, would like to get rid of it but are intimidated out of doing it by reading bad information about the process.

It is a bit of a hassle, but nowhere near the hassle and expense described in some of the posts on the first thread.

Just for the record, I don't consider a ceiling that is cracking and delaminating "perfectly fine"...

[Babbs1957]

I've removed lots of popcorn ceilings. Usually it's because of a repair, moving a light over a few feet, or complete removal of a light/fan. The repair always continue to show once you know where it is, sorta like a scratch on a car. You see it every time you look at it, but visitors rarely.

The more a house changes hands, the more changes to light placements. Well done on getting it gone. It's the cheap way to build houses and a lazy man's wallcovering. That's why many of the houses down here have textured walls so they didn't have to sand it smooth. Many would argue the houses are not done cheaply or poorly built.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Garywt

I too do not understand the hatred of popcorn ceilings. I am not 100% sure what a popcorn ceilings is. I myself do not need to spend money on something is perfectly fine.

Nothing to do with hate. It’s because the ceiling is spitting chunks of popcorn on the floor. Eventually cracks form, then tiny pieces fall. Some are easily take down because popcorn stopped adhering to the ceiling

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Laker14

that's great.
My house, my money etc.
This isn't really an argument about whether or not to remove popcorn ceilings, it's a conversation about how I went about having mine removed and how it went.
On the first thread there was a lot of bad information about the process.

My intent here is to inform people who have the stuff, don't like it, would like to get rid of it but are intimidated out of doing it by reading bad information about the process.

It is a bit of a hassle, but nowhere near the hassle and expense described in some of the posts on the first thread.

Just for the record, I don't consider a ceiling that is cracking and delaminating "perfectly fine"...

Laker14, I am very glad you provided the feedback on how the project proceeded and came out. Firsthand experience is very valuable, and gives others valuable info on what to expect and how to proceed. Keep up the good work.