What Is Popcorn Ceiling Removal?
Popcorn ceiling removal is the process of eliminating the bumpy, textured ceiling finish commonly seen in homes built between the 1950s and 1980s. Also known as acoustic ceilings, popcorn ceilings were originally popular for their sound-dampening qualities and ability to hide imperfections. But over time, they’ve fallen out of favor due to their outdated appearance, difficulty to clean, and potential asbestos content in older applications.
So, what is popcorn ceiling and why are so many homeowners choosing to remove it today? Popcorn texture, while once considered practical, now detracts from the modern look and feel of a home. Its rough surface traps dust, casts uneven shadows, and can clash with updated paint colors or lighting fixtures.
Removing a popcorn ceiling is one of the most effective ways to instantly modernize the look of an interior space. A smooth ceiling surface not only looks cleaner and brighter, but it also creates a perfect foundation for fresh interior paint. Whether you’re planning a full home renovation or simply updating a few rooms, popcorn ceiling removal makes a dramatic difference in both appearance and value.
If you’re repainting your home’s interior, starting with a clean, smooth ceiling ensures a more cohesive and professional finish from top to bottom.
Professional and Safe Popcorn Ceiling
Removal Done Right
Hiring trained professionals for popcorn ceiling removal is the safest, cleanest, and most efficient way to get the job done. While it may seem like a task you can tackle on your own, the reality is that popcorn ceiling removal involves more than scraping texture—it requires the right tools, proven techniques, and strict attention to safety. Professional popcorn ceiling removal ensures your ceilings are properly handled and your home remains protected from dust, damage, and unnecessary delays.
Why Professional Removal Matters
Trained technicians have the experience to deal with all types of ceiling conditions, including potential water damage, cracked drywall, or uneven surfaces hiding beneath the texture. A qualified team knows how to identify problem areas early and resolve them during the process, saving you from expensive surprises later on.
Beyond technical skill, professionals are equipped with commercial-grade tools like wide-blade scrapers, drywall sanders, and vacuum-assisted systems to keep the project efficient and dust-free. They also use protective coverings to shield your floors, walls, and furniture, ensuring a clean and contained workspace throughout the project. In addition, professional crews follow a structured process that minimizes disruption to your home and keeps the timeline on track. From setup to final cleanup, every phase is managed with care, attention to detail, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
Safe Techniques and Proper Gear
Safe ceiling removal begins with proper preparation. Professional crews wear protective gear, including goggles, respirators, and coveralls, to prevent exposure to harmful dust or airborne particles. In homes built before 1980, additional precautions are taken in case asbestos is present—this includes lab testing, wet removal methods, and strict containment protocols.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Team
Hiring a professional team for popcorn ceiling removal takes the stress out of the process and ensures a superior finish. With experienced technicians, you can expect faster completion times and minimal disruption to your daily routine. The risk of damaging your ceilings or walls is significantly reduced, and the end result is a smooth, flawless surface that’s fully prepared for painting or applying a new texture.
Key Differences: DIY vs. Professional Removal
Feature
DIY Approach
Professional Removal
Time Required
Several days or more
1–2 days in most cases
Surface Finish Quality
Often uneven or patchy
Smooth, paint-ready surface
Dust and Debris Control
Limited, can be messy
Contained with proper systems
Health & Safety
Minimal precautions
Full protective protocols
Choosing professional popcorn ceiling removal is an investment in your home’s appearance, value, and safety.
Keeping Your Home Clean During
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
One of the biggest challenges of popcorn ceiling removal is controlling the dust and debris it generates. As the textured material is scraped from the ceiling, it often breaks apart into fine particles that can quickly spread throughout your home, settling on furniture, flooring, and even inside HVAC vents. Without proper precautions, popcorn ceiling dust can create a major cleanup headache and pose a risk to indoor air quality.
Advanced Containment Systems
for a Cleaner Process
To ensure a mess-free removal, professional crews use advanced containment systems designed to isolate the work area and protect your home. This includes sealing off the room with plastic sheeting from floor to ceiling, covering all furniture and fixtures, and using painter’s tape to close off vents and doorways. Negative air machines and HEPA-filtered vacuums are often used to capture airborne particles and maintain clean airflow throughout the process.
This attention to dust containment ensures that dust stays exactly where it belongs—inside the sealed work zone—and not circulating into other rooms or onto your belongings.
Thorough Post-Job Cleanup
Once the popcorn texture is completely removed, the cleanup process begins. All debris is carefully collected and bagged, plastic coverings are removed with care to avoid spreading dust, and floors are vacuumed and wiped down to leave your home spotless. If needed, the ceiling will be lightly sanded and cleaned in preparation for refinishing or painting.
Professional popcorn ceiling dust containment and cleanup give you peace of mind that your home will be just as clean—or cleaner—than it was before the project started. With the right team, you won’t have to worry about lingering dust or mess, just a smooth, refreshed ceiling ready for the next step.
Expert Ceiling Repair and Refinishing
for a Smooth, Modern Look
After the popcorn texture is removed, the real transformation begins. Many homeowners are surprised to find that the ceiling beneath the texture isn’t always in perfect condition. That’s why expert ceiling repair and refinishing is such a critical part of the popcorn ceiling removal process. It’s what turns a rough, scraped surface into a smooth, flawless finish that elevates the entire room.
Addressing Ceiling Imperfections
the Right Way
Popcorn ceilings were often used to cover up flaws in the original drywall or plaster. Once the texture is removed, issues like cracks, uneven seams, nail pops, and previous patchwork can become visible. A professional team will carefully inspect the entire ceiling to identify these imperfections and make the necessary repairs before any refinishing begins. This step ensures the final result is not only clean but structurally sound.
Skim Coating, Sanding, and Priming
To create a seamless surface, professionals apply a skim coat—a thin layer of joint compound—that fills in small divots and evens out the entire ceiling. Once the skim coat is dry, the surface is sanded smooth using commercial-grade sanding equipment, then cleaned to remove any dust. After sanding, a high-quality primer is applied to seal the surface and prepare it for paint or finishing. This three-step process—skim coating, sanding, and priming—is what gives the ceiling its crisp, clean look and ensures long-lasting results.
Choosing the Right New Ceiling Finish
After repairs and refinishing, homeowners can select the type of finish that best suits their interior style. Flat finishes are great for hiding minor flaws and giving a modern, seamless appearance. Matte and eggshell finishes offer a subtle sheen and are easier to clean, making them popular choices for living areas and bedrooms.
With professional ceiling repair and refinishing, you’re not just removing outdated texture—you’re investing in a smooth ceiling finish that adds value, style, and quality to your home.
Asbestos Awareness and Safety Protocols
During Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Popcorn ceilings installed before the 1980s may contain asbestos, a hazardous material that can pose serious health risks if disturbed. This makes safety a top priority during any popcorn ceiling removal project. Understanding the risks and following proper protocols is essential—especially when working in older homes where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were commonly used.
Understanding the Risk of Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings
Asbestos was widely used in building materials for its fire resistance and durability, but it’s now known to be dangerous when inhaled. In popcorn ceiling textures, asbestos fibers can be released into the air during scraping or sanding. Once airborne, these microscopic particles can lodge in the lungs and lead to serious health issues, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
This is why any popcorn ceiling in a home built before 1980 should be treated with caution and tested before removal begins.
Testing and Laboratory Analysis
Before any work starts, a sample of the ceiling material should be collected and sent to a certified laboratory for analysis. The testing process is quick, affordable, and critical for determining whether asbestos is present. If the lab confirms asbestos, the ceiling must be handled following strict safety protocols, often requiring licensed asbestos abatement professionals to perform the removal.
Removal vs. Abatement: Know the Difference
Painting contractors can legally remove popcorn ceilings that do not contain asbestos. However, if asbestos is detected, removal must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who follow EPA and OSHA guidelines. This distinction protects homeowners and ensures full compliance with local and federal regulations.
When to Call an Abatement Professional
Home Built Before
Requires Testing
If Asbestos Found
Removal Method
1980
Yes
Possible
Licensed Abatement Only
1980–1990
Recommended
Less Common
Case-by-Case
1990–Present
Usually Safe
Rare
Standard Removal Process
Post-Test Result
Always Needed
Confirms Action
Abatement or Paint Prep
By following certified testing procedures and understanding the correct removal path, homeowners can move forward with confidence—knowing their popcorn ceiling removal project is as safe as it is effective.
Enhanced Home Appearance and Value
with Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Popcorn ceiling removal does more than modernize a home—it transforms the entire look and feel of your interior. Once considered trendy in the mid-20th century, popcorn ceilings are now seen as outdated and unattractive by most homeowners and buyers. Removing them creates an instant visual upgrade and brings your living space in line with current design expectations.
A Cleaner, More Modern Look
Smooth ceilings have a crisp, clean appearance that instantly updates a room. They reflect light better, make ceilings appear higher, and create a seamless transition between walls and overhead surfaces. In contrast, popcorn texture tends to cast shadows, trap dust, and visually age a home. Removing the texture creates a fresh, polished backdrop that elevates everything from paint color to lighting fixtures.
Aligning with Today’s Interior Design Trends
Open-concept layouts, minimalist finishes, and neutral palettes are driving forces in modern interior design—and popcorn ceilings simply don’t fit the aesthetic. Today’s homeowners prefer simplicity and smooth surfaces, especially in living rooms, kitchens, and master suites. By removing the popcorn texture, your ceilings will match the clean lines and contemporary finishes seen in design magazines and new builds.
Boosting Home Value and Buyer Appeal
In a competitive real estate market, every detail matters. Smooth ceilings make a strong first impression and signal that a home is well-maintained and up to date. Potential buyers often view popcorn ceilings as a project to tackle, which can lead to lower offers or longer time on the market. Removing them can increase perceived value and make your home more desirable—whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply want to enjoy a more refined space.
Investing in popcorn ceiling removal not only enhances appearance but also adds lasting value to your property.
Our Four-Step Popcorn Ceiling
Removal Process
Removing a popcorn ceiling is a detailed process that requires care, preparation, and professional technique. At Stellar Painting, we follow a proven four-step popcorn ceiling removal process designed to deliver smooth, flawless ceilings with minimal disruption to your home. Each step is handled with precision to ensure quality results and a clean finish that’s ready for paint or new texture.
Inspection and Preparation
Every successful project starts with a thorough inspection. We assess the ceiling for any signs of damage, check the age of the home to determine if asbestos testing is necessary, and plan accordingly. Once cleared, the room is carefully prepped for removal. This includes covering floors with heavy-duty plastic or drop cloths, taping off baseboards and trim, and sealing HVAC vents to prevent dust from circulating throughout your home. Furniture is moved or covered to ensure total protection during the process.
Wetting and Softening the Texture
To minimize dust and make removal easier, we apply a light mist of water to the popcorn texture. This softens the material, helping it to release cleanly from the ceiling without damaging the drywall underneath. Wet scraping is a safer and more efficient technique that helps contain debris and limits airborne particles during removal.
Gentle Scraping and Texture Removal
Once the ceiling is properly softened, we use wide-blade scrapers to gently remove the popcorn texture. Our team works in sections to ensure a smooth and consistent removal across the entire ceiling surface. Care is taken to avoid gouging the drywall or causing unnecessary damage, which helps reduce the need for heavy repair work afterward.
Ceiling Repair, Priming, and Repainting
After the texture is fully removed, we inspect the ceiling for imperfections such as nail pops, seams, or small cracks. These are repaired using joint compound, followed by skim coating and sanding for a smooth finish. Once dry, the ceiling is primed and painted to your specifications, resulting in a clean, modern look that revitalizes your entire space.
This step-by-step approach ensures a safe, professional result every time.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal FAQ
If you’re considering popcorn ceiling removal, you’re not alone—and you’re likely not short on questions either. At Stellar Painting, we want homeowners to feel confident and informed every step of the way. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear about the popcorn ceiling removal process.
How long does removal take?
The timeline depends on the size of the space and the ceiling’s condition, but most standard rooms can be completed in one to two days. Larger homes or ceilings requiring extensive repair may take longer. Our team will provide a precise time estimate after the initial inspection.
Is my ceiling likely to contain asbestos?
If your home was built before 1980, there is a chance your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. Testing is the only way to know for sure. We can help you coordinate with a certified lab to analyze a sample before any work begins.
Will removal damage my drywall?
When done by professionals, popcorn ceiling removal is gentle and controlled. We use techniques that protect the drywall underneath. In cases where minor surface damage occurs, we repair, skim coat, and sand the area to restore a smooth finish.
Can I repaint immediately after removal?
Yes, after the ceiling has been repaired and properly primed, it’s ready for fresh paint. Most homeowners choose this time to repaint ceilings and often walls, giving the entire room a new look.
What’s the cost per square foot?
Pricing varies based on factors like ceiling height, condition, and whether asbestos is present. On average, popcorn ceiling removal costs between $1 and $3 per square foot. We’ll provide a detailed quote based on your specific needs.
Schedule Your Free Popcorn
Ceiling Removal Estimate Today
Ready to transform your ceilings and elevate the look of your home? Stellar Painting offers expert popcorn ceiling removal backed by years of experience, attention to detail, and complete customer satisfaction. Our team is fully licensed and insured, and we stand behind our work with a satisfaction guarantee.
Whether you’re renovating a single room or your entire home, we’ll ensure your ceilings are smooth, modern, and paint-ready—with minimal mess and maximum care.
Call Stellar Painting at (682) 432-0558 to schedule your free popcorn ceiling removal estimate and discover the difference professional service makes.
Find out more about professional popcorn ceiling removal and what we offer—just click here.
Areas We Serve
We proudly provide painting services for these Ft Worth, TX areas:
Downtown Fort Worth, Sundance Square, Cultural District, Near Southside, Medical District, Panther Island, West 7th District, Stockyards District, Upper West Side, Trinity Bluff, Six Points, Diamond Hill-Jarvis, Marine Creek Ranch, Eagle Ranch, Lake Country, Heritage, Villages of Woodland Springs, Sendera Ranch, Oakhurst, Fossil Park, Park Glen, Summerfields, Arcadia Park, Coventry Hills, Basswood Park, Bar C Ranch, Alexandra Meadows, Crawford Farms, Vista Meadows, Twin Mills, Watersbend, Chisholm Ridge, Presidio West, Harmon Ranch, Graham Ranch, Hillsborough, Parkwood Hill, Villages of Eagle Mountain, Boswell Ranch, Innisbrook Place, Harbour Points, Chapin Village, Monticello Park, Hills at Fossil Creek, Montserrat, Chapel Hill, Trails of Willow Creek, Lakes of River Trails, Lago Vista at Bonds Ranch, Skyline Terrace, Basswood Village, Stone Hollow, Ridgeview Estates, True Acres, Merwick, Bluestem Walton, The Township on Hulen Bend, Wind Ridge, Lakes of River Trails North, Westview at the Villages of Woodland Springs, Augusta Meadows, The Preserve, Burney, The Sunset at the Villages of Woodland Springs, Prairie Meadows at the Villages of Woodland Springs, Sabine Place, Lake Vista Ranch, Wolfe Mamie, North Riverside Apartments, Stone Valley at the Villages of Woodland Springs, The Highlands of Glenwood, Sargent Avenue, Bellevue Hill, Bluebonnet Place, Colonial Hills, Tanglewood, Park Bend Estates, Seminary Hill, Sylvan Heights West, Sandybrook, Morningside Park, Polytechnic Empowerment, Highland Homes, Southwest Hills, Fort Worth Vista West, River Park, Spring Ranch, Vista West, Overton West, Golden Gate, Bluebonnet Hills, Camelot, Candleridge, Colonial, Bellaire, Greenbriar, Hallmark, Hulen Heights, Highland Hills, Mira Vista, Morningside.
We also provide interior and exterior painting services for these Benbrook, TX areas:
Bellaire Country Place, Bellaire Park Townhomes, Benbrook Estates, Benbrook Lakeside, Boston Heights, Boston Heights Condominiums, Brooks Moreland, Brookside at Benbrook Field, Cedar Creek Townhome Condominiums, Cedar Square, Chapin Commons, Clearfork Trail, Coates Circle Condominiums, Copper Crossing Apartments, Country Club Condominiums, Country Day Estates, Cross Creek Ranch Apartment Homes, Glen Avon, Greenbriar Benbrook, Greenwood Creek Apartments, Hallman, Heights of Benbrook, Heritage Hills, Highland Park Apartments, Hills of Whitestone, Hilltop Heights, La Bandera at Team Ranch, La Cantera at Team Ranch, La Vista at Team Ranch, Meadow Park Benbrook, Mira Bella, Mont Del, Mont Del Estates, Murphys Meadows, North Benbrook, One Main Place Condominiums, Palomino Estates, Pecan Valley, Reata Place at Team Ranch, Reata West at Team Ranch, Russ Lo Valley, Shady River Estates, Team Ranch, The Benbrook Meadows, The Queen’s Court, Timber Creek, Timber Creek Square Town Homes, Trinity Gardens Benbrook, Trinity Oaks Condominiums, Trinity Park Estates, Valley West, Victorian Quarters, Vista Way Town Homes, Wallace Heights, Waterwood Circle, Waterwood Place, Westpark Estates, Westvale, White Stone, White Stone Heights, Whitestone Ranch, Winchester Estates.
We proudly provide residential painting services for these areas near Fort Worth and Benbrook, TX:
White Settlement, Westworth Village, River Oaks, Sansom Park, Lake Worth, Edgecliff Village, Haltom City, Everman, Forest Hill, Aledo, Crowley, and Lakeside.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Fort Worth, TX
Stellar Painting is one of the top painting companies in Fort Worth, TX, providing expert interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet painting services. Our skilled painters deliver high-quality results for residential painting projects, ensuring homes look fresh and vibrant. As trusted painting contractors, we also specialize in commercial painting, enhancing businesses with professional finishes. Whether you need house painters or are searching for a “painter near me,” our team is dedicated to excellence. Choose Stellar Painting for outstanding service in Fort Worth. We use premium materials and proven techniques to ensure every project exceeds expectations and stands the test of time. Call us today to receive a free estimate.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Benbrook, TX
Stellar Painting is a trusted painting company in Benbrook, TX, known for providing top-quality services for homeowners and businesses. As one of the premier painting companies in the area, we specialize in residential painting, including interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet painting, ensuring flawless results for every project. Our skilled painters deliver exceptional craftsmanship, whether you need experienced house painters for a home refresh or reliable painting contractors for a larger project. Searching for “painters near me”? Stellar Painting is your go-to solution. We also serve businesses with professional commercial painting services, making us a versatile choice for all your painting needs.