If you have popcorn ceilings in your home, you may or may not like the way they look. However, the general consensus is that future buyers are deterred from purchasing a home with popcorn ceilings. And you are probably wondering: Why are popcorn ceilings considered poor? 

Popcorn ceilings are considered poor because the material used to create them was a cheap way to hide flaws in the ceiling throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s and they are simply outdated. In the 1980s, it was discovered that most popcorn ceilings also had asbestos, making them not only displeasing to the eye, but also quite dangerous. 

In this article, we are going to go through the many reasons why popcorn ceilings are considered poor, and whether or not it is a good idea to remove them. So keep reading! You are going to be a popcorn ceiling expert in no time. 

Why Are Popcorn Ceilings Considered Poor?

There are actually several reasons why most people agree that popcorn ceilings are a negative feature in a home. Here’s what you need to know: 

  • Popcorn ceilings attract dirt, dust, and cobwebs. 
  • They are difficult to clean. 
  • The peaks create shadows and make a room look smaller. 
  • Popcorn ceilings usually have asbestos and can be dangerous to remove. 
  • They were added to homes decades ago and usually mean the home is older.
  • It is an outdated style. 
  • There can be flaws in the ceiling hiding underneath. 

That may seem like a lot of reasons why popcorn ceilings are considered poor, but they are still extremely common in many American homes. 

If you have popcorn ceilings and want to know if you should remove them, or you are planning on moving to a new home and want to know whether or not you should skip those with popcorn ceilings, there’s a little more you should understand. 

Should You Remove Popcorn Ceilings?

If your home has not been remodeled in the past thirty years, it’s highly likely that you still have popcorn ceilings. You might be thinking you want to remove this slightly annoying feature based on the list we compiled above, but it’s important to understand the process and why you may or may not want to opt for removal. 

The first reason why you may want to remove poorly received popcorn ceilings is if you are trying to sell your house. Research shows that for higher-end homes priced at $500,000 or more, removing popcorn ceilings can actually add between $25,000 and $35,000 of value to the home! 

However, more affordable houses asking around $200,000 won’t really gain a specific financial value, however, they may sell quicker without popcorn ceilings. You may also simply want to revamp your home and get rid of these annoying ceilings. No matter why you want to remove them, it’s vital to understand that the process isn’t that simple. 

First you need to get them tested for asbestos. If they test positive, the process will be more expensive and you will certainly want to hire a professional to keep you and your family safe. If your popcorn ceilings do not have asbestos, you may be able to do it yourself, and there are quite a few blogs and informational articles that will give you the step-by-step process. 

It still requires purchasing the necessary tools and no matter which option you chose, professional or DIY, it can be a time consuming and expensive process. 

How to Make Popcorn Ceilings Look Better

As you now know, popcorn ceilings are considered poor for many reasons, and although some of them you can’t do anything about, there are a few problems that can be remedied! 

Popcorn ceilings can get extremely dirty, do not offer good lighting, and simply don’t look great. However, here are three tactics you can use to combat these issues.

  • Clean your popcorn ceilings every six months. You can use a vacuum or wrap duct tape around a paint roller to get rid of pesky dust and cobwebs, and to remove unwanted stains, you can dip a paint roller into a water and dish soap, wring out any excess liquid, and gently roll over the ceiling! 
  • Paint the popcorn ceiling. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for an older home, and whether you go for white or a pop of color, it will make a big difference on your popcorn ceiling. 
  • Change the lighting. When it comes to lighting for popcorn ceilings, you should opt for a down-facing fixture, i.e. a chandelier or pendant. Lights that are flush with the ceiling will enhance those unwanted shadows. 

All of these options are fairly affordable and can really make a big difference for how people, and you, see your popcorn ceilings. 

Final Thoughts

So, why are popcorn ceilings considered poor? Well, there are really a lot of reasons, including the fact that they are outdated, create shadows, attract dust, and can have asbestos! 

However, hopefully you now understand what you can do to get rid of these poorly received ceilings if you want to, and even a few home improvement projects that you can do to improve your popcorn ceilings if you don’t want to remove them!