Transform Your Dated Popcorn Ceilings With One Modern And Effective Solution

Nothing makes a home feel more dated than popcorn ceilings. These textured surfaces, popular in the mid-to-late-20th century, are now considered a major design nightmare. Not only are they unattractive, but they're also hard to keep clean and can make rooms appear darker. What's worse, they may even be a health hazard; one of the hidden downsides of popcorn ceilings is that they often contain the toxic material asbestos — a known carcinogen. While there are all kinds of tutorials on how to easily remove popcorn ceilings by scraping them away, these methods are messy, and if there is asbestos present, it could release the dangerous fibers into the air. Fortunately, there's a safer and less messy alternative to getting rid of the unsightly popcorn surface: cover the ceiling with insulation board and drywall. 

Covering your ceiling with insulation and drywall is an effective way to hide unsightly popcorn surface without the headache of scraping the texture. But it also serves other benefits; it will seal in any asbestos, preventing it from getting into the air. Also, if there is a drafty room or attic space above the ceiling, these barriers will stop the heat transfer, which can help lower your electrical bill. If you're a homeowner looking to DIY the project, you'll save quite a bit in labor costs by taking it on yourself, but be warned that while the process isn't particularly complicated, it requires multiple steps and materials, so it can be time-consuming and costly.

The first step to covering your popcorn ceilings is to measure the room to determine how many sheets of insulation board and drywall you will need. Both rigid foam boards — which are recommended for ceiling insulation — and drywall sheets come in 4-by-8-foot sheets, which is convenient for calculating the quantity you'll need. Before hanging anything, use a stud finder to locate and mark the ceiling joists, where you'll need to attach the boards. Once you have your materials, begin hanging the insulation boards by applying adhesive to the back and pressing them into place over the popcorn ceiling. Next, secure the insulation boards into the ceiling joists using drywall screws. Trim any boards as needed to ensure they will fit properly in place, and cut around any ceiling fixtures or vents.

Once installed, tape the seams of the boards with insulation tape. The next step is to install drywall panels over the insulation boards. Before you do, mark the walls to indicate the ceiling joists are so you know where to screw the drywall into place. Be sure to use screws that are long enough to get through the layers of drywall and insulation board to reach the joists. Once the boards are installed, mud and tape the drywall seams to create a smooth, finished surface. Once the ceiling is completely dry you can texture at paint it as desired. 

There are challenges to be aware of before taking on this project. First, drywall sheets are large and heavy, so holding them overhead while screwing them in requires at least two people. If there's no one available to assist, consider renting a drywall lift to hold the boards in place. Also, keep in mind that adding insulation and drywall to an existing ceiling will lower the height but a couple inches. If you're dealing with ceilings that are low to begin with, this may not be a great option,  as most people prefer to make ceilings appear higher. Fixtures like recessed lights and ceiling vents may also look "sunken" behind the new layer of ceiling, so consider removing and reattaching these at the new level.

Finally, if you're dealing with a large area, the material costs for this project can add up. The cost of a single 2-inch thick, 4-by-8 rigid foam insulation board is about $20, while the same size sheet of drywall (⅜-inch thickness) costs about $17. You'll also need to add in the cost of items such as of adhesive, screws, tape, joint compound, paint, and possibly the rental fee for a drywall lift. If you're planning to hire a pro to tackle the project, you may not need so many materials, but you'll have to factor in the cost of labor. The labor for installing insulation board tends to run from 25 cents to $2 per board foot while the cost to hang drywall will add an additional $1 to $2.70 per square foot. The bottom line: although this project is an effective way to cover dated popcorn ceilings, it can be costly and will likely require you to set aside several days to complete.