What Are Some Reasons That Most Ceilings Are Made of White Textured Material?

Cost

• The cost for blowing in popcorn ceiling material was considerably cheaper than hanging ceiling tiles. Popcorn ceilings were made of a mixture of cheap materials, including asbestos (until the mid-1980s), and this was an economical choice for builders. This is one of the main reasons that popcorn ceilings were so prevalent in apartment complexes. In addition to the overall low cost of the materials, these ceilings could be installed with just one to two employees, reducing labor costs and time.

Maintenance

• Popcorn ceilings are relatively maintenance free and do not need to be cleaned or repainted on a regular basis. For apartment complexes, this was definitely a principal reason for using them. In fact, it is nearly impossible to paint a popcorn ceiling without having it crumble and fall apart. A popcorn ceiling can go for years before looking dingy and needing cleaning or repainting.

Acoustics

• Popcorn ceilings were considered to be innovative when they first came out thanks in large part to their ability to reduce noise and improve the overall acoustics of a room. In apartment complexes, where noise reduction was very important, these ceilings were very common. Many homeowners appreciated the material's ability to absorb noise while disliking the overall look of the ceiling.

Removig Popcorn Ceilings

• Popcorn ceilings that were installed prior to 1980 are very likely to contain asbestos, a deadly ingredient. These ceilings should be removed only by professional companies that have experience in dealing with this hazardous material. If the popcorn ceiling is newer than that, it can be ripped down and replaced with drywall or ceiling tiles. Many homeowners simply cover over popcorn ceilings because it is easier than trying to rip it down and deal with the mess the material causes.