The Great Popcorn Debate

Mmmmm. . .Popcorn

Nope, we're not talking microwave vs. old-fashioned here. This is the great popcorn ceiling debate. Don't know what popcorn ceilings are? They are those bumpy, cottage-cheese-looking ceilings in many homes:

Less tasty than buttered movie popcorn

You may be asking "what debate?" If you're like me and my husband, you think these are the ceilings of the devil. However, recently someone I love and whose opinion I respect expressed shock and wonderment at how many people disliked popcorn ceilings. It made me reconsider. Why does almost every house of a certain era have these ceilings, and why are they so maligned today?

1. They're cheap and easy

The defense submits that in the '50s through the '80s, these ceilings were commonly used by builders because they offered an affordable and fast way to finish ceilings that could hide almost any imperfection in the finish work, giving a house a nice, pulled together look on a budget.

2. They reduce noise 
The defense lacks sufficient citation for this point, but it stands to reason that a more variegated surface would more efficiently absorb sound waves, making a room less "live."

3. Some people like the way they look

Unfathomable as it may seem to some, since this was the predominant construction method for almost half a century, the defense posits that many who were born or came of age during this time period find nothing offensive or strange about the textured material. In fact, this whole debate may simply be a generational misunderstanding.

But wait, the Prosecution has a damning case:

1. They hide a multitude of sins

Precisely the same reasons that made popcorn ceilings popular with builders make them unpopular with homeowners or potential homebuyers. Like the placid surface of a lake beneath which a prehistoric monster dwells, the innocent looking bumps could hide shoddy construction work, or worse, fire or water damage. There's no way to tell unless you remove them. It's a crapshoot.  We actually found an area of damage from a 2nd floor plumbing problem that didn't become apparent until the popcorn was removed.

Now you don't see the water damage

Now you do. . .or at least the fix

2. They are dark

The same bumps that absorb noise also absorb light. The light reflectance value of stucco ceilings, because of the numerous bumps creating shadow and trapping light waves (as sound waves are also absorbed) has to be worse than a flat, plaster surface. Yes, the prosecution is too lazy to find the exact LRV of the materials.

They just say "serial killer" to me

3. They (can be) dirty

I have a friend who refers to me as "the girl in the bubble" because of my multiple indoor and outdoor allergies to dust mites, mold, pollen, trees, grass, most animals, and several fruits and vegetables, as well as a couple of classes of antibiotics. I do find that a home with more hard, flat surfaces is easier for me to keep clean and doesn't aggravate my allergies as much. For example, hardwoods or tile are better than carpets. So a bumpy ceiling that's more prone to collect dust and cobwebs is just not as good as a flat, plaster ceiling. Have you ever dusted a popcorn ceiling? They often respond by simply shedding their little nubbins. I don't relish the idea of the material lodging in the carpet or floor, where my new baby can stick the tasty morsels in their mouth! God save you if you live in a home with popcorn ceilings where a smoker used to reside. . .no way is that nicotine residue coming out. And something I haven't mentioned yet but should. . .they can have asbestos in them. (see more below under "Removal").

There are no neutral parties in this debate.

Well, that's not really true. When we bought the home, my husband was adamant that we remove the ceilings. I don't particularly like them, so I was enthusiastic about removing them.

BUT

Once we got quotes I figured, how bad are they really? I grew up with them, and while they are not my favorite look, I had other areas that were higher priority for me. Like paint. And furniture. But Ian convinced me that were we ever to remove these, when we purchased the house BEFORE moving in would be the best (and likely) only time to do it.

We bit the bullet and here are my impressions so far.

1. SO MUCH LIGHT!!!  (Work is in progress so it didn't really photograph well)

2. The Ceilings Look MUCH taller



3. I'm so glad we didn't do it ourselves

I don't have a pic, but from one room alone there were 7-8 contractor bags of debris and sheeting from the carpets.

Can't wait til they're painted!

If you are going to remove popcorn ceilings there are a few things you should know.
1. It's messy. Like, apocalyptically so. Only undertake this project if you can handle an insane mess.
2. It's not necessarily safe. If you insist on doing it yourself, make sure you find a service that will do lab testing on a small sample to ensure it doesn't contain asbestos, and research and use proper safety precautions.
3. It's not as cheap as I thought.

Please do your research before you DIY!

What do you think? Are you Team Popcorn? Would you consider removing yours? Have you removed them, and what was your experience?