What Is Crow's Feet Ceiling Texture?

Plaster

• When creating the crow's feet texture, most drywall finishers apply drywall to the ceiling. According to CalfFinder.com, split one 5 gallon of plaster into two buckets. Add a small amount of water to each bucket, and mix with a drill attachment commonly called a "squirrel mixer." The consistency of the plaster should be that of a milkshake or thicker.

Tools

• The wet plaster is rolled on or sprayed on with a hopper. Take a stipple brush, also known as a crow's foot tool and press into the texture, slightly swirl and lift up. Do not smear the texture when stamping the brush into the plaster. Additional tools needed include an empty bucket of water to wash and rinse out tools, as well as plenty of painter's plastic and tarps to protect the flooring in the room.

Finishing

• After the plaster has dried for about one day, a coat of paint adds additional protection to the ceiling. Roll on latex acrylic paint using a roller made for textured surfaces. Use a flat sheen paint, and avoid paints with heavy sheen levels such as eggshell, satin or gloss. Adding a coat of paint will make the ceiling easier to clean and wipe down in the future.

Cons

• Crow's feet texture was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The texture is very heavy, and may be difficult to remove once applied. Always practice the technique several times before directly plastering your ceiling. The quality of the finish is based on the applicator's skill level. If you do not feel comfortable applying the finish, get a quote from a drywall expert who has experience in crow's feet texture.