5 Reasons to Smooth Your Ceilings

Many couples are conflicted over whether to smooth out their stipple ceilings.

Couples are divided on the topic of whether to smooth out their ceiling stipple, the technical term is “vermiculite” (often referred to as Popcorn Ceilings) in their home. This article provides facts to inform your decision on whether to leave your stipple ceilings alone or to smooth them out.

What is a popcorn ceiling made of?

You can’t address a project properly without first understanding what you are dealing with. The “popcorn” ceiling mixture can be made of a number of different materials. Some ceilings are made of styrofoam, some are cardboard based and others are made from a naturally occurring mineral known as vermiculite. While vermiculite is not the same as asbestos, it does OFTEN contain it. So proper precautions and remediation equipment should always be used.

One point to consider is that hardly anyone ever chooses to add stipple to a smooth ceiling. Stippled ceilings are basically a builder’s shortcut to hide imperfections in their plasterwork, and that is common knowledge. The question then becomes “can I live with this look, or is the alternative worth the investment?”

Here are the top five reasons people choose to smooth their ceilings:

1. Smooth ceilings are a home upgrade. Did you know that smooth ceilings increase the value of your home? Ceiling stipple makes your home look dated.
 
2. Smooth ceilings add visual height and spaciousness to rooms and hallways. In contrast, stippled or textured ceilings draw your focus to the texture, making the room seem smaller.
 
3. Spaces with smooth ceilings maximize the light. A flat surface reflects light and an irregular surface, such as stipple, under the same light sheer will cast thousands of tiny shadows on your ceiling lending to a dark and dingy appearance and feel, no matter if it is ambient or directional light.
 
4. Aesthetically, a smooth ceiling is less visually distracting, and busy and induces a general feeling of calm.
 
5. Air Quality and room cleanliness are a concern for 50% of homeowners with unpainted stippled ceilings. Stipple is porous and holds a lot of dust and pet or smoke odour, and as mentioned before, the stipple itself COULD contain asbestos. Finally, unpainted stippled ceilings are “live” systems and continuously shed dust particles “dandruff” which have been linked to respiratory problems in young children and the elderly. Also, stipple becomes discoloured over time.

We hope that this information is useful for you. If you are ready to get an estimate to smooth out your ceilings, contact Fine Finish Wall Systems, certified Master Plasterers.