What Is the Difference Between Popcorn Ceiling and Textured Ceiling?

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Popcorn ceilings were just the rage before a half-century ago, appearing above vividly colored walls, kaleidoscopic patterns, and gleaming furniture. 

The sprayed-on method resembled cottage cheese more than popcorn and is less costly than conventional hand-troweled plaster.

It can hide ceiling defects, measure fire protection, and provide noise-dampening advantages. 

The speckled ceiling pattern tends to age a room’s decor these days, but thankfully, whether you need to remove the popcorn ceiling entirely or give the retro appearance a new lease of life, you have alternatives.

What Is the Difference Between Popcorn Ceiling and Textured Ceiling?

The difference is that a popcorn ceiling comes with large chunks, which are then blown further via a spray gun.

And the texture type ceiling has a thick joint and comes in many styles like in a knockdown fashion or swirls/ orange peel texture.

Popcorn Vs. Textured Ceilings differences feature comparison:

The ceiling Texture of Popcorn is simpler than textured ceilings

  • This texture you can refer to as “cottage cheese” or “acoustic” ceiling texture. 
  • One of the most well-known ceiling textures is this one. This ceiling texture has a popcorn-like appearance. 
  • You’ll need to have a sprayer to administer it, get the desired effect, and get the puffy look, and it combines dirt and Styrofoam. 
  • This ceiling texture is tough to install as well as to remove. 
  • If you want this ceiling texture in the house, you need to contact an expert to avoid making a mess on the floor.

Ceiling Texture: Light Popcorn lies in between both textured and popcorn

  • If the popcorn ceiling texture appeals to you but appears to be too much for your space, consider the light popcorn ceiling texture. 
  • It’s still a popcorn ceiling, but it’s a lot lighter this time.
  • It isn’t particularly eye-catching, but it does appear to be graceful. It is instrumental in light-colored homes and rooms.

Ceiling Texture: Knockdown Textured is a famous textured ceiling

  • A joint compound diluted down to something like a light consistency can create this sort of ceiling and drywall pattern. 
  • To apply this texture, you’ll need a knockdown tool. A trowel will suffice if you don’t have the device, although it will be more difficult. 
  • It will have a texture of tiny circles, which looks creative.

Ceiling Texture: Orange Peel Texture is beautiful

  • Because it resembles orange skin, this ceiling texture has an orange peel nickname, although known as eggshell ceiling texture. 
  • Using a spray cannon with a high-pressure setting to spread thin mud to the ceiling to make this texture. 
  • And this is a fantastic ceiling texture that may give a space a more creative feel.

Difference between Popcorn ceiling and smooth textured ceiling:

01. Aesthetics

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A popcorn ceiling has an uneven look and may resemble popcorn or cottage cheese in texture because it may hide fractures, leak damage, faults, and even lousy drywall installation.

  • This bumpy look is excellent for covering the shortcomings of our ceilings.
  • Even though popcorn ceilings are a suitable alternative to warped drywall, many individuals prefer alternative ceiling textures like smooth but instead suspended ceilings.
  • A smooth ceiling may give a space an attractive look by blending in with the walls. 
  • On bright days, the paint reflects natural light more quickly due to its application. 
  • A smooth surface also optically elevates the ceiling, making the space appear bigger and airier. 

Because it’s impossible to create a perfectly soft-top free of flaws, flat paint suits best for hiding them.

02. Price

Basic labor for a standard 250-square-foot textured ceiling costs between $215 and $260

One gallon of paint (about $15 to $30) one needs for the ceiling. 

  • Extra job materials like seam five tape, top compound, outside corner beads, or fasteners six cost $90 and $100. 
  • The cost of specialized equipment, which includes leasing the compressor, ranges from $30 to $50. The project will cost between $350 to $440 in total.
  • Latex-based paint with priming seven and paint in one can use for a 250-square-foot smooth ceiling for $70 to $190. 
  • The baseline labor rate ranges from $140 to $340, and covers ceiling prep up to four faults per 100 square feet, two layers of paint, and trim molding cutting in. 
  • Ceiling painting supplies cost roughly $15 and include primers 7, cleaning supplies, masking tape, and paper.
  • The project will cost from $225 and $545 in total.

Textured Ceilings – Top trends as an alternative to popcorn ceilings:

Textured Crows Foot Ceiling

  • To create the crow’s foot ceiling effect, you’ll need a stipple brush. 
  • Because one person applies the stipple brush design while the other distributes the mud in another region, this texture is usually a two-person effort.
  • And this is a dirty endeavor. Make sure the room has a plastic covering. Use a dustbuster vacuum to keep your ceiling clean and dust-free.

Ceiling Texture with Stipple Brush

  • This ceiling texture needs more talent because it is pretty tricky. 
  • You may use a roller and a slap brush to produce this effect. 
  • As it is not a perfect texture, you may use it to hide faults on your ceilings, such as holes, while focusing on the surface. 
  • However, it may become a little messy if you aren’t skillful enough because this texture is so thick.

Ceiling Texture with Swirls

  • You may use a roller or a sprayer to make this ceiling texture. 
  • You may also use a trowel to perform a technique known as the basic swirl approach. 
  • This ceiling pattern necessitates a great deal of care, as well as the swirls, will vary depending on the instrument you choose. 
  • The most challenging aspect of creating this texture is creating the design first before the mud dries off. 
  • If you have a large ceiling, you might wish to enlist the help of another individual. 
  • Use a solid vacuum to keep your ceiling clean and dust-free.
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Ceiling Texture with Hawk and Trowel

  • To create this ceiling texture, you’ll need a hawk and a trowel, as the name says. 
  • It’s also a textured drywall ceiling that isn’t smooth. 
  • It may make a big difference in the look of your roof. 
  • Unlike the other ceiling textures, this wallpaper is simple to make and does not need a high talent level.

Some other questions,

Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q1.) Why do some individuals say that the textured ceiling is unappealing?

Answer: For those looking to give their homes a vintage look, nothing is better than this ceiling because of its contemporary looks but, to some people, it will feel as outdated.

Q2.) What was a popcorn ceiling main work?

Answer: A popcorn ceiling was a kind of spray put on an individual’s top whose purpose was to cover up your flaws in the roof.

It also absorbs sound, so it works better that way.

Q3.) When did popcorn ceilings start to become an issue?

Answer: Popcorn ceilings had Asbestos in them, which is a harmful substance, and even after the temporary ban, you can still use it for a lot of time.

Q4.) What are some of the most popular ceiling finishes?

Answer: Popcorn ceilings, orange peel texture, skip trowel, and swirl are some of the famous ones.

Q5.) What is the best and most popular ceiling texture right now?

Answer: A smooth ceiling texture is the fan favorite due to features like affordability and ease of application which can provide more options for renovation.

Q6.) Is it worth going for the smooth ceiling texture today?

Answer: Yes, it will add a spectacular finish to your alley and hallways, which is a pro over stippled ceiling, which makes the room look smaller.

Q7.) How can we modernize the old popcorn ceiling?

Answer: Wood paneling is a fantastic way of adding grace to your ceiling, and one can also go for the advanced versions like a groove wood plank for updating the ceiling space.

Q8.) Do the popcorn ceiling removal help in increasing your house’s value?

Answer: Yes, in some circumstances, it can help, but it is not a viable option to do for shorter home ceilings.

A better option in the above condition can be to add a fresh paint coating.

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Q9.) Why do we call a popcorn ceiling an acoustic ceiling as well?

Answer: The popcorn ceilings absorb some of the highest amounts of sound due to their high surface area and bumps to help dampen the noise.

Q10.) How safe is it to work with a popcorn ceiling?

Answer: A ceiling is safe for health unless you disturb it but letting it remove safely is critical because it is full of Asbestos.

Q11.) What are the latest trends for ceiling finishes?

Answer: An ultra-glossy and mirror reflective finishes are some of the popular trends these days, making the room look larger provided one polishes the surface.

Q12.) What are some of the most spectacular ceiling textures?

Answer: As per a 2020 large-scale voting, maximum persons preferred a smooth ceiling, and almost negligible of them chose the popcorn ceilings.

Q13.) How much does one need to spend for smoothening a textured ceiling?

Answer: be willing to pay around $40 plus for materials if you go the DIY way or $1 to $3 per square foot for doing it from a professional.

Q14.) How much does some stylish ceiling option?

Answer: Vaulted ceilings, Cathedral ceilings, cove ceiling, barrel vault ceiling, and tray ceiling.

Q15.) How should one paint a ceiling after the popcorn removal?

Answer: First, make sure you sand it then and adequately prime it as well. Lastly, paint on the primed wall for a smooth texture.

Q16.) What are the options for painting a popcorn ceiling?

Answer: After some time, the popcorn ceilings become dull and outdated. And while removing popcorns is a time-consuming activity, painting is a better way.

Q17.) Which is better out of orange peel and knockdown?

Answer: Orange peels are the most durable for most cases, while a knockdown is prone to breaking due to its larger surface area.

Q18.) What is the most economical way to overcome an old popcorn ceiling?

Answer: Planks are more accessible and cheap as well as they just cost $1 and can cover a large portion of the popcorn ceilings.

Final Verdict:

It might be tough to select a ceiling joist for your house since you want it to complement the design and the décor. 

Popcorn ceilings were trendy in the late 1970s due to their disguising flaws and deadening noise. 

However, the popularity faded, but a new form of popcorn combination material created with polystyrene or Styrofoam has lately resurfaced. 

We describe the distinctions between the popcorn and smooth-textured ceilings in the sections below so you can make an educated selection.

Thanks For Reading!