A popcorn ceiling is a sprayed or applied texture that was common in older homes. It hides flaws in the drywall, it was quick to put up, and it was thought to soften echo in a room. These days most people see it as dated, and it collects dust, cobwebs and yellowing in a way a flat ceiling does not. If you have lived under one for years, you already know how hard it is to touch up, because any patch you make never quite matches the texture around it.

Taking it off is not a one-evening job. It is messy, it throws a lot of debris, and in some older homes it raises a safety question that has to be answered before anyone picks up a scraper. Alto Pro Painters removes popcorn ceilings and leaves a smooth, painted surface behind. The work is quoted in writing first, so you know the rooms, the prep, the finish and the timeline before we start.

What popcorn ceiling removal includes

A conversation about the age of your home before anything is scraped, so testing can be planned if it is needed
Taking down light fixtures and covers, and masking switches, vents and anything that cannot be removed
Covering floors, walls and furniture so the debris stays where we want it
Wetting and scraping the texture off the ceiling, working in sections
Filling and skim coating the bare ceiling so it dries flat and even
Sanding the filled surface smooth and priming it before paint
Painting the new ceiling, usually in flat or matte so the surface hides small flaws
Vacuuming and cleaning the room, then a walkthrough with you

How popcorn ceiling removal goes

Free written quote. We look at the ceilings, ask when the house was built and whether the texture has ever been painted, and send a written quote that lists the rooms, the prep, the finish and the timeline.
Testing if the home calls for it. For older homes, a sample of the texture goes to a lab before any removal is booked. If the result comes back positive, we stop and talk through your options before going any further.
Pre-job call. Before the start date we confirm colours and details, and go over what to clear from the rooms and where you and any pets can stay while the work is under way.
Mask, remove and skim. On the first day we protect the floors and walls, take off fixtures, wet down the texture and scrape it off, then fill the ceiling so it is flat. Painted texture takes more effort than unpainted texture, and it often needs more repair work afterwards.
Sand, prime, paint and finish up. Once the filler is dry it is sanded, primed and painted. We walk the finished room with you while the paint is fresh, touch up anything that needs it, and clean up after you sign off.

The prep that decides how smooth the ceiling ends up

The scraping gets the attention, but the smooth finish is made in the prep and the filling. A ceiling that looks perfect in flat light can show every ridge once a lamp or a window throws light along it, so the surface has to be right before paint goes on.

Finding out the age of the home, and testing the texture when the age says it should be tested
Removing or masking light fixtures, smoke alarms, vents and ceiling fans so nothing collects debris
Sealing floors and covering furniture or moving it out, because the material comes off as wet debris and dust
Checking whether the texture has been painted, since painted texture does not soften with water the way bare texture does
Repairing gouges, torn paper and old water stains in the drywall before the skim coat goes on
Priming the filled ceiling so the paint sheen is even and the repair areas do not flash through

Choosing the finish for the new ceiling

Once the texture is gone you have a few options. The most common is a smooth, flat ceiling painted white or a soft off-white. Flat or matte paint hides small flaws and does not throw glare, which is why it is the usual choice overhead. If you want a bit of life in the room, a very light tint can warm a ceiling without making it look dark.

Some owners prefer not to go fully smooth. A light knockdown or a skip-trowel finish is another way to cover the old surface, and it hides minor drywall imperfections more easily than a perfectly flat coat. We will talk through the choices at the quote stage, and the written quote will state which finish you have chosen so there are no surprises when the job is done.

What affects the price of popcorn ceiling removal

We do not publish fixed prices, because ceilings differ a lot from house to house. Your written quote will show the items below so you can see what is driving the number.

The square footage of ceiling in each room, and the ceiling height
Whether the texture is painted, because painted texture is slower to remove and leaves more to repair
The thickness of the texture and how well it was applied in the first place
The condition of the drywall underneath, including tears, stains and past repairs
Lab testing for older homes, and what follows from the result
Light fixtures, fans and furniture that must be moved, plus the paint and finish you choose

Built before 1981? Test before you scrape

Textured ceilings in older homes can contain asbestos, and paint from before 1990 may contain lead. Health Canada says lead paint is probable in homes built before 1960 and possible from 1960 to 1990. Tell us the age of your home when you ask for a quote. If the texture needs testing, we plan for it first, and if a test comes back positive the work stops until it is handled by a contractor set up for that kind of material.

Common mistakes with popcorn ceiling removal

Scraping dry texture without checking the age of the home. Dust from an untested ceiling can be a health risk, so we ask the age first and test when it makes sense.
Skipping the masking. The material comes off as wet debris and fine dust and gets into everything, which is why floors, walls and furniture are fully covered.
Painting over the texture instead. It looks fine for a while, then the old yellowing and stains return, and the next owner still has to deal with it.
Leaving the filled ceiling unsanded. Ridges that were invisible in daylight appear when a lamp shines across them, so each skim coat is sanded before priming.
Painting straight on bare filler. Filler soaks up paint unevenly and shows as dull patches, so the ceiling is primed before the topcoat.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal by town

We offer popcorn ceiling removal in twelve Okanagan communities. Choose your town:

Popcorn Ceiling Removal questions

Can we stay in the house while the ceiling is being done?

It is usually easier on everybody if you do not. The work throws a lot of debris and dust, and each room is sealed off while it is under way. We go over the arrangements on the pre-job call so you know what to expect.

How long will it take?

A small room can be done in a day, and larger areas or whole-house jobs take longer. The size of the ceiling, whether the texture is painted and how much repair the drywall needs all play a part. Your written quote includes a timeline for your job.

How do I know whether my ceiling contains asbestos?

You cannot tell by looking at it. If your home is older, the texture should be tested by a lab before it is disturbed, and the result will tell you how to proceed. Tell us the age of your home when you request a quote and we will explain the steps.

Is it better to remove it or paint over it?

Painting over popcorn ceiling is cheaper at first, but it does not solve the texture, the dust or the staining. Removing it gives you a flat surface that is easy to repaint in the years ahead, and it helps when you are preparing a house for sale.

Will you repair the damage to the drywall under the texture?

Yes. Tears, gouges and stains are repaired as part of the skim coat and sanding stage, and the quote lists the repair work so it does not come as a surprise. For bigger repairs, see our drywall repair service.

Is the quote free?

Yes. The written quote is free and lists the rooms, the prep, the finish and the timeline before any work begins.

If you are ready to leave the popcorn behind, tell us the age of your home and which rooms you want done, and we will put together a free written quote.

Request your free written quote or call (778) 946-0386.

Guides for popcorn ceiling removal

How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling

Curious how a job runs from the first call to the final walkthrough? Read how our painting process works.

Have a question first? Read the FAQ, learn about Alto Pro Painters or contact us.

Further reading: Popcorn ceilings on Wikipedia and Health Canada: asbestos and your health.

Watch: popcorn ceiling removal in action

How to remove a popcorn ceiling, by Lowe's Home Improvement on YouTube.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Penticton and the Okanagan