Builders in the past put all of their faith in popcorn ceilings and they remained all of the rage in both commercial and industrial properties until pretty recently. Little did they know then that homeowners today would be dealing with the consequences of exposure to the asbestos content in the ceiling.
Dangers of Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings
Any popcorn ceiling installed before the 1980s may contain asbestos. Before trying to remove your popcorn textured ceiling, we highly recommend you contact your health department for sample testing. Even if the removal of this type of texture is for aesthetic purposes, if not removed correctly, asbestos fibers can spread throughout your home or building environment and cause serious health concerns.
Drawbacks to Popcorn Ceilings
Even if asbestos is not your primary concern, there are a couple of disadvantages to these stucco ceilings and much of it revolves around the work required to keep ceilings clean. It is time-consuming to repair the holes or cracks you may encounter when cleaning or just the ones that happen over time. Pressing or scraping too hard throughout this cleansing process can cause more aesthetic damage than good.
Popcorn Ceiling Solutions:
Ceiling Scraping
Also known as stucco removal, scraping of the ceiling is usually done by a specialist and the cost is around $1 to $2 per square foot. Keep in mind that if the stucco has been painted over, the process could bring more complications. In many cases, the ceiling will require some smoothing over and patching to get a crisp final product.
Encasement
To encase a popcorn ceiling means you are covering the ceiling so it can not produce dust. The term is also known as abatement, which is done with new ceiling panels, a type of vinyl paint, or drywall. It is efficient in containing any asbestos-infected debris in a specific or the whole area.
Encapsulation
To encapsulate a popcorn ceiling, enclose it with a fire-rated architectural membrane without disturbing the surface of the ceiling containing asbestos. Encapsulation is considered a safer option because you are not directly disturbing the asbestos, therefore minimizing health risks. However, if you ever decide to remodel or otherwise disrupt the ceiling at a later date, the asbestos will still need to be addressed
Nuwalls Stretch Fabric
Asbestos removal methods can be dangerous, time-consuming, and costly, so we personally recommend Nuwalls Stretch fabric ceilings to provide a safe, cost-effective, and modern solution. Our stretch fabric has a cross-weave material that allows it to breathe which blocks any unwanted particles while letting air and moisture pass through.
Stretch fabric is also mold and mildew-resistant and is easily maintained and cleaned. Not only can you create your own durable design, but we offer a backlighting option with which you are able to set the tone for your space. One of our best features is that the lightweight acoustic material absorbs all noise pollution.
Nuwalls is dedicated to building dreams with efficiency and integrity. If you find yourself in need of popcorn ceiling removal and remodeling, contact us for a consultation!
To learn more about our other services please visit Statewide General Contracting (statewidehawaii.com).
