Popcorn ceilings have a reputation problem. That bumpy texture, sometimes called cottage cheese ceiling, was everywhere in homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s. Builders loved it because it was fast to apply and helped dampen sound. Today, though, many popcorn ceilings make rooms feel dated.
If you’re thinking about selling or just want to refresh your space, you might wonder whether removing a popcorn ceiling actually adds value to your home. The short answer is yes, but the full picture depends on your local market, the condition of your ceilings, and what buyers in your area expect.
Why Popcorn Ceilings Fell Out of Style
Acoustic ceilings were a popular design choice decades ago. They could hide imperfections in the ceiling and help with sound control. The textured finish was also cost-effective to apply during construction.
But tastes changed. Smooth ceilings became the standard in modern homes, and that bumpy texture started looking outdated. Worse, older popcorn ceilings sometimes contain asbestos, which was banned for use in ceiling treatments by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act in 1978. If your home was built before then, there’s a real chance your popcorn texture contains this hazardous material.
Asbestos doesn’t pose a risk when it’s undisturbed, but scraping or sanding it releases fibers into the air. Breathing these fibers can lead to serious diseases, including lung cancer. That’s why professional removal is so important if asbestos is present.
How Removing Popcorn Ceilings Affects Home Value
Real estate agents will tell you that buyer preferences have shifted dramatically. Most prospective buyers today expect smooth, modern ceilings. A popcorn ceiling project might not be a deal breaker for everyone, but it can turn away more buyers than you’d think, especially in a competitive market.
Here’s what happens when you remove that textured ceiling:
- Perceived value increases because the home looks updated and well-maintained
- More buyers become interested since the space appeals to current tastes
- Resale value can improve, though the exact amount varies by location
A top real estate agent might tell you that ceiling texture matters more in some markets than others. In areas where most homes have been updated, yours will stand out negatively if it still has popcorn. In neighborhoods with many older homes, it might matter less.
The question isn’t just whether a popcorn ceiling increases home value. It’s about whether keeping it costs you potential buyers.
The Real Costs of Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Removing a popcorn ceiling isn’t always straightforward. Labor costs vary widely depending on your location and the condition of your ceilings.
For a typical room, homeowners spend anywhere from $1 to $3 per square foot for professional removal. That might not sound like much, but it adds up fast. A large estate executive home with high ceilings and multiple rooms could run several thousand dollars.
If asbestos is present, the remediation cost jumps significantly. Asbestos removal requires licensed professionals with specialized equipment, and prices can double or triple. Testing alone costs a few hundred dollars, but it’s required before you start any popcorn ceiling project on older homes.
Some people consider making it a DIY project. Scraping popcorn texture is labor-intensive and messy. You’ll need to cover everything, scrape carefully, and then apply a skim coat or thin layer of new drywall compound to create a smooth finish. One ceiling can take an entire weekend, and the dust gets everywhere.
The labor-intensive nature of this work is exactly why many homeowners hire professionals. Done wrong, you could damage the underlying drywall or create uneven surfaces that look worse than the original texture.
What You Get for Your Money
After removing popcorn ceilings, you’ll need to finish the surface. This usually means applying a fresh coat of paint to complete the look. Smooth ceilings with clean paint make rooms feel taller, brighter, and more spacious.
The payoff shows up in different ways. Your home will photograph better for listings. Rooms will look cleaner since smooth surfaces don’t collect dust the way textured ceilings do. And buyers won’t mentally subtract money from their offers to account for doing the work themselves.
Think about it from a buyer’s perspective. They walk into two similar houses at similar home prices. One has outdated popcorn ceilings, the other has smooth, modern ceilings. Which one feels move-in ready? Which one feels like it needs work?
That perception matters. Even if the actual cost to remove popcorn texture is relatively small compared to the overall price of a house, psychological impact matters. Buyers often pay more money for homes that feel updated, even when the updates are cosmetic.
When Removal Makes the Most Sense
Not every situation calls for popcorn ceiling removal. If you’re planning to sell soon in a competitive market, it’s probably worth doing. Buyers expect modern finishes, and you’ll see the return in your sale price or how quickly your home sells.
If your ceilings have ceiling cracks or water damage, removal becomes more complicated. You might need to repair the underlying structure first, which adds cost. Sometimes it makes more sense to install new drywall entirely rather than trying to salvage damaged popcorn texture.
Personal preference plays a role, too. Some homeowners simply want to enjoy smooth ceilings while they’re still living in the house. The improved appearance can make everyday life more pleasant, which is its own kind of value.
Consider these situations where removal typically pays off:
- You’re preparing to list your home for sale
- Your local market strongly favors updated interiors
- The popcorn ceiling is damaged or stained
- You’re already doing other home improvement projects, like painting
The key is understanding your specific situation. Average prices in your area matter. If homes in your neighborhood sell quickly without ceiling updates, you might not need to bother. But if you’re in an area where buyers expect polish, those textured ceilings could slow your sale.
Testing for Asbestos-Containing Popcorn Ceilings
Before you do anything, test for asbestos if your home was built before the mid-1980s. The Environmental Protection Agency provides guidelines on testing and removal. You can find detailed information on their website at epa.gov.
A professional testing service collects a small sample and sends it to a lab. Results usually come back within a week. If asbestos is present, you’ll need to hire licensed contractors for removal. This isn’t something to skip or try to handle yourself.
The potential presence of asbestos makes some buyers nervous, which is another reason removal can help with resale value. Once you’ve had it professionally removed and can show documentation, that concern disappears.
Making Your Decision
Removing a popcorn ceiling does add value to your home, both in actual resale value and in how quickly you’ll attract buyers. The return depends on various factors, including your market, the cost of removal, and current buyer preferences in your area.
For most homeowners selling in the current market, smooth ceilings are worth the investment. They make your home competitive and remove a potential objection from buyers. The cost is usually manageable, and the improved appearance benefits you whether you’re selling now or in a few years.
If you’re looking at your popcorn ceilings and feeling overwhelmed by the work involved, you’re not alone. Between testing for asbestos, managing the mess, achieving a smooth finish, and applying that final fresh coat of paint, the project can feel like more than you want to tackle. That’s exactly where professional help makes sense.
At Bernardo’s Painting, we handle everything from preparation through final painting, giving you the updated look that helps your home stand out. For more information about our interior painting services, call us at (808) 384-0864 or message us here.