Paint Roller For Popcorn Ceiling

Choosing The Best Roller For A Popcorn Ceiling

If you opt to paint your popcorn ceiling with a roller, not just any cover will do. The right roller cover is the key to painting a popcorn ceiling with minimal mess and stress.

The ideal roller for a popcorn ceiling must be thick and non-shedding. Most rollers that meet these requirements are made of lambswool or synthetic fibers.

In terms of thickness, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Start with a nap thickness of at least ½-inch, depending on how rough your ceiling is, and adjust as needed.

Pro Tip: A roller cover that is too thick can make the popcorn texture even more pronounced. Dont be afraid to switch to a different roller cover if the first one you try isnt working.

Paint rollers are available in many different lengths. While longer rollers can make quick work of a project, they can be unwieldy in the hands of a non-professional.

A long roller will also be quite heavy once loaded with paint. We recommend using the longest roller that still feels comfortable in your hands err on the shorter side if youre unsure.

Before Beginning Check Your Popcorn Ceiling For Asbestos

Heres an important note: Not all popcorn ceilings can be a DIY project. Before you paint a popcorn ceiling, its important to get the ceiling tested by a certified professional to see if asbestos is presentespecially if your home was built before 1977. If theres asbestos present, its best to hire a professional to do the paint work.

• plastic sheeting

I would also rent an airless paint sprayer at one of the larger hardware stores, she says. This is especially important if your popcorn ceiling has never been painted before. If it has been painted, you can complete this project with a roller, as well. Look for one with a thick napabout 9/16 of an inchwhich will help get paint into all the nooks and crannies of the surface.

Getting The Paint Ready

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Best Type Of Paint Rollers For Ceilings

Painting your ceilings is an easy task if you have the right tools for the job. The best type of paint rollers for ceilings are those that can deal with the thickness of your ceiling texture. The right foam cover will protect the texture to avoid chipping while spreading the paint evenly. With our suggestions, you will find the right roller to get your job done like the pros. Under budget and right on schedule.

What Are Paint Rollers For Popcorn Ceiling

A paint roller for a popcorn ceiling would be any roller pad/nap roller that is thick enough to properly apply paint to a textured ceiling.

A regular roller pad might work on some popcorn ceilings, but you will have to load it up with a lot of paint, and the job will definitely go a lot slower.

The reason why a regular roller nap won’t work for popcorn ceiling paint is that the microfibers aren’t thick enough to get into all the deep gaps that a popcorn ceiling has.

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Is It Safe To Paint Popcorn Ceilings Containing Asbestos

Some popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can cause serious health problems if inhaled.

The good news is that asbestos-containing ceilings are typically harmless unless disturbed. This is because the asbestos inside the ceiling isnt airborne.

Painting a popcorn ceiling with asbestos can be an effective way to seal the asbestos particles for an extra layer of protection.

While painting is possible, applying a brush or roller to the ceiling could release asbestos into the air. We recommend hiring professional painters who have the skill and equipment needed to prevent this.

Preparing Popcorn Ceilings For Painting

First and foremost, youâll want to determine whether or not there is asbestos or lead paint in your popcorn ceiling. Generally speaking, homes built before 1977 are at a higher risk of having these dangerous materials in them.

Purchase an at-home test to determine whether or not your popcorn ceiling has asbestos or lead. If it tests positive, youâll want to get the ceiling material professionally removed.

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Paint Cover Or Remove Popcorn Ceiling

There are several ways to cover textured ceilings. Painting over the popcorn ceiling is the quickest and easiest fix, though you can also cover the popcorn texture or remove it. Below, we will discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods.

When considering these options, keep in mind the potential asbestos risks. Asbestos is a material that manufacturers frequently used in Many products manufactured before 1978, including popcorn ceilings, contained asbestos. Asbestos exposures can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Treating or removing your popcorn paint might put you at risk of asbestos exposure. To avoid this risk, you can have your ceiling tested for asbestos before completing any projects.

Will Popcorn Ceiling Coming Off While Painting

How textured your ceiling is and what method you use to paint will determine how much will crumble off. In most cases, at least some of the texture will fall.

Because the texture is stuck onto the surface underneath, any pressure will easily knock it off. Make sure to move everything you can out of the room and cover whats left with plastic to make cleanup a lot easier.

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Can You Paint Popcorn Ceilings

Perhaps you’re unhappy with the color of your popcorn ceiling, or the surface is damaged and needs repair. You’ve probably considered removing the cottage-cheese-like texture from your ceiling, but you don’t want to deal with the messy work. Painting popcorn ceiling texture is a much cheaper and easier alternative to removal.

Textured ceilings can be painted using a brush and a thick roller or with an airless sprayer, but using a sprayer is by far the easiest and most efficient way to get the job done fast. Depending on its condition, the ceiling might need to be cleaned and primed first or repaired before painting.

Best Way To Paint A Popcorn Ceiling

Popcorn ceilings were popular from the 1950s to the 1990s. The appeal was mostly to builders because a popcorn ceiling was able to hide many imperfections. This allowed builders to cover mistakes and to complete the building process much faster. Today many people choose to remove the popcorn ceilings, but removing them is very expensive, messy, and can be dangerous. Some materials used early on in popcorn ceiling mixtures contained asbestos. If the house was built before 1977, you can get it tested to make sure it is safe to work on it.

The least expensive and quickest option to making the ceiling look better is to paint a popcorn ceiling. A fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in the ceiling and give it a great look.

If you are going to paint a popcorn ceiling, it is important to protect everything in the room with drop cloths. Painting ceilings in general can cause lots of paint to splatter. Whenever possible, empty the room of furniture before you paint a popcorn ceiling. This will make the process much easier! You can protect the walls by taping plastic sheeting to completely cover the wall space. You will also want to protect any ceiling fixtures with plastic and painters tape. Use drop cloths on the floor. Next, make sure the ceiling is free from heavy dust and all cobwebs. A microfiber duster or a vacuum are both good tools to tackle this job.

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Which Bristle Roller For Popcorn Ceiling

Which bristle roller for popcorn ceiling? If too heavy a nap roller is used, it can exaggerate existing texture, he says, adding that a -inch nap roller will cover fine to medium texture while a ½-inch roller will cover a heavy texture, noting that the heavier the nap roller, the more difficult it is to achieve an even coat.

What roller do you use for the popcorn ceiling? A paint roller for a popcorn ceiling would be any roller roller thick enough to properly apply paint to a textured ceiling. A regular roller skate might work on some popcorn ceilings, but youll have to load it up with a lot of paint, and the job will definitely go a lot slower.

What nap roller should I use to paint a ceiling? Ceilings and drywall 3/8 medium nap roller covers work best. Walls, wood and metal Small 1/4 nap rollers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. Light to medium textured surfaces Microfiber rollers are best.

What is the best paint roller for a textured ceiling? The 3/4 inch nap is ideal for heavily textured surfaces such as bare brick or concrete or textured interior walls such as textured popcorn ceilings. A nap of 1 inch and up is useful when painting stucco, cinder block, or rough brick.

How To Match The Roller Cover To The Surface

Choosing the correct roller cover starts with knowing the sheen of paint you will be using. Once youve picked either a woven or knit roller, the next characteristic you want to focus on is the nap height, which is the length of the fibers that extend from the backing and carry the paint to the wall. Below are some general guidelines to help you.

For smooth surfaces such as new drywall, choose a shorter nap to evenly apply the paint. Because a shorter nap picks up less paint, it is common for some painters to bump up to a longer nap for increased production. While this can be a good idea to speed your painting project up, it is important to note that higher naps may leave a textured look on a smooth surface. Always remember to select a nap height that will provide you with your desired finish regardless of the paint pick up and release capabilities. Sometimes faster isnt always better!

Rough surfaces require a higher nap so the long fibers can reach into the valleys of the texture. Higher nap heights are great for textured plaster or stucco, siding, decks, concrete block, brick, and corrugated metal. Long nap heights offer great paint pick up and release, which makes getting into all the cracks and crevices of the surface easy. Remember, the rougher the surface, the higher the nap to make your job easier.

Next, learn how to properly load a roller cover.

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Since 1851 in Wooster, Ohio

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Covering Textured Ceilings: Pros And Cons

You can cover the surface if you want a flat ceiling finish without removing the popcorn texture. Covering popcorn ceilings usually involves adding a layer of drywall or wood on top of the existing textured ceiling.

Benefits of covering the ceiling texture include:

• Achieve the appearance of a flat ceiling
• Improve insulation and soundproofing
• Cover up potential hazardous material exposure risks
• Match other flat ceilings in your home

Negatives of covering include:

• Potentially improve your homes resale value

Negatives of popcorn ceiling removal include:

• The project is costly and time-consuming.
• Removing the popcorn ceiling texture can become messy.
• You risk asbestos and lead paint exposure.

Best Spray Guns For Painting Ceilings

Purchasing or renting a spray gun is considered to be the best option when painting your ceiling because of its efficiency, speed, and quality. If youre thinking about investing in one, here are our suggestions for the best spray guns for painting a textured ceiling.

Size: Small

Best Feature: Lightweight

The Super buy Air Spray Gun is designed to be efficient and easy to use. The sprayer is lightweight with a handle on the hopper and a comfort grip, allowing painters to have better control. As stated in the full name, its hopper can hold 1.45 gallons, which will help users paint for much longer without needing to refill.

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What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On A Popcorn Ceiling

Most standard acrylic paints work best for popcorn ceilings unless the ceiling will be subjected to moisture, in which case you should look for a premium moisture and damp resistant paint. Id also recommend using a flat, non-gloss paint for textured ceilings as it helps to hide particularly uneven areas.

Best Paint Roller For Popcorn Ceiling

Before we jump into the actual painting, lets talk about roller sleeves.

Considering popcorn ceilings are so textured, youre going to need a roller with at least a 3/4 nap. They hold more paint than your average wall roller. This is extremely helpful for getting into all of the grooves of your ceiling, especially if the texture is very thick.

Note: The steps for priming and painting will be the same

Step 1:

Begin the same by moving all furniture and mask the walls, floors and any other furniture left in the room.

Step 2:

Takedown, tape, or mask off any lights, fans or ceiling fixtures

Step 3:

Start in one corner, using your brush to paint along the edge of your ceiling and around lights and fixtures. Be sure to paint out about 2-2 1/2 so theres plenty of space for your roller to reach your brush line.

Step 4:

Beginning in a corner, start rolling in one direction and when rolling back, overlap it by about 50%. Youll want to roll in sections of about 5 or 6 square feet, keeping a wet edge to avoid lapping marks.

Step 5:

Make your way across the entire ceiling, working from north to south or east to west.

Step 6:

Let the ceiling dry for a couple of hours and repeat steps 3-5, rolling in the opposite direction as the first coat.

When youre cutting and rolling a popcorn ceiling, it generally will take 2-3 coats.

Step 7:

Youre ready to clean up

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How To Paint A Popcorn Ceiling

Follow these steps when painting your popcorn ceiling.

Popcorn ceilings may be called different names like acoustic ceilings, cottage cheese ceilings, or stucco ceilings, but the telltale textured, bumpy look is the same. To get this cottage cheese effect, small particles are mixed with paint and drywall and applied to the ceiling.

And while the popcorn ceiling has become less popular over the years, it was a common mid-century feature thats still seen in many homes.

How To Spray Paint Popcorn Ceiling

Heres what youre going to need:

• Paint sprayer, tip extension and tips
• Masking supplies

Note: The steps for priming and painting will be the same

Step 1:

Start prepping by moving everything out of the room and masking off the walls, floors, leftover furniture, lights and other fixtures.

Step 2:

Set up your paint sprayer heres a video showing you how to step by step:

Step 3:

Choose the correct tip size youll want a wide fan, so wed recommend using a 517 or 617 tip.

For more information on choosing and understanding tips, check out this video:

Step 4:

Practice spraying on cardboard to get a feel for the sprayer and the motion used to create even coverage.

Step 5:

Start on one end of the room, spraying along the wall in one direction in a smooth, even motion. Spray back in the direction you came, overlapping the stoke by about 50%.

A quick tip: Start moving your hand before pressing the trigger, and let go of the trigger before you stop moving your hand. This will help prevent runs or too much paint building up in one area.

Depending on how textured your ceiling is, you may have to spray over certain areas at an angle to get into all the grooves. Being careful not to flood the spaces with too much paint.

Step 6:

Continue with the same spray pattern across the entire room, using a smooth, sweeping motion for a consistent finish.

Step 7:

When spraying a popcorn ceiling, it generally will take 1-2 coats.

Step 8:

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How To Paint Popcorn Ceiling Edge

Painting the ceiling edges is simple, but we have a few tips to help create a clean, even edge thatll look like it was painted by a professional. Lets break it down:

Step 1:

Mask off the walls, making sure the tape is pressed down completely along the ceiling.

Step 2:

Load your brush with paint and start by sweeping in towards the tape line, keeping back from it by about a quarter to half an inch. Without loading your brush gain, go back over it and push the excess paint closer into the tape line. Be careful not to flood the tapeline with paint if possible.

Step 3:

Smooth out any heavy paint lines, but dont worry about eliminating the brush lines. Most paints are self-levelling.

Step 4:

This is optional, but you can then take a mini roller and roll as close as you can get to the ceiling to smooth out the lines. Doing so can help keep the transition between your cut lines and roller smooth.

Step 5:

Alternatively, you can skip cutting with a brush and roll around the entire room. Only do this is you arent worried about paint getting on the walls.