If you are thinking of redoing your ceiling, you might be wondering why most ceilings are textured, and whether you need to replicate this with your refinished ceiling. A lot of contractors use textured ceilings.
On the whole, ceilings are textured because the texturing will hide the imperfections in the ceiling. Textured ceilings are sometimes referred to as acoustic finishes, and they are much easier because they don’t require plastering and sanding. They also reduce echo in the room below.
In this article, we’re going to find out “why are ceilings textured?” and explore the advantages and disadvantages of texturing and the different techniques that are used.
What Are The Advantages Of Textured Ceilings?
There are a few different reasons that texturing has become so popular for ceilings, and if you are thinking of refinishing a ceiling in your home, it’s worth understanding these before you start, because this will put you in a strong position to decide whether you need to texture the space or not. Some of the advantages include:
- It is quicker and easier to finish the ceiling because you don’t need to plaster and sand it
- The texturing will reduce the amount of echo in the room, making it a pleasanter space to be in.
- Textured ceilings can be decorative, especially if swirls or crown molding is used
- The texturing might add a little more soundproofing because there will be more material and the ceiling will be marginally thicker
- It hides the imperfections that might otherwise show up well
You might be puzzled by the last of those reasons. After all, most walls are not textured, and people manage to finish those fine. However, it’s a lot more challenging to plaster and sand a ceiling because you have to work over your own head, and your arms will get tired far more quickly.
Furthermore, ceilings tend to show imperfections more clearly, because they are brightly lit by the overhead lights. They are an uninterrupted expanse, and you’ll very easily see cracks, blemishes, or unevenness – so painting and finishing a smooth ceiling can be a nuisance that a lot of people would rather avoid.
As you can see, textured ceilings are appealing, especially for contractors trying to save money and get jobs done quickly. If you are doing your ceiling yourself, you might be more prepared to put time and energy into finishing, or you might just want to get it done.
Can You Have Smooth Ceilings Instead?
If you prefer the look of smooth ceilings, there’s no particular reason that you can’t install these instead if you want to. You should just be aware that it may cost more, take longer, and create a bit of an echo in the room. None of these drawbacks is likely to be very significant, so you should opt for smooth ceilings if you prefer them.
Smooth ceilings do also have some advantages, such as being easier to clean, but you should get a quote if someone else is doing the work for you because they might be more expensive.
How Do You Make A Textured Ceiling?
You can make a textured ceiling using a few different methods, but a lot of contractors will do it by mixing polystyrene or vermiculite into the ceiling paint. If you want to do this yourself, make sure that you have mixed it very thoroughly so that you don’t get any bits of polystyrene showing through once you have applied the paint to the ceiling.
You should also be aware that you need a special spray gun to apply this to the ceiling. It cannot be added with a brush, because you won’t get a good aesthetic, and the polystyrene may stick to the brush, rather than to the ceiling. It also takes a very long time to apply this paint with a brush and you might get gaps or lumpy areas.
This style is less popular now than it was, and other trends are coming in – with many homeowners looking to get rid of “popcorn” ceilings.
How Else Can You Make A Textured Ceiling?
There are a variety of other methods, including:
- The knockdown technique: this involves spreading or spraying a joint compound onto the surface
- The skip troweling technique: this involves spreading the joint compound around with a drywall knife, usually in uneven patterns and waves
- The orange peel technique: this is popular and creates a lightly bumpy surface
- The comb drywall technique: this involves using a toothed trowel to create shapes in the paint
If you want a textured ceiling, it’s generally easier to employ somebody else to create it, especially if you don’t have access to the equipment. However, if you really want to do it yourself, you certainly can if you hire or buy the tools.
FAQs
Q: Are textured ceilings a thing of the past?
A: Some textured ceilings are certainly quite dated, and were originally popular around the 1950s. A lot of homeowners do still add the more modern designs, but many are also going for the smooth ceiling approach.
Q: What are the drawbacks of textured ceilings?
A: There are a few drawbacks, including that these ceilings are challenging to repair without interrupting the pattern, and they are hard to clean. They are also very difficult to remove if you want to change the ceiling, consider this before installing one.
Q: Why do people not like textured ceilings?
A: Tastes differ between individuals, but textured ceilings can create a harsh ambiance in the room because of the way that they reflect light. This may make rooms with textured ceilings less comfortable when you are relying on electric lights.
Conclusion
Textured ceilings do have their purpose and a lot of people are keen to use textured ceilings in their homes, but you should also be aware that they have some significant drawbacks. If you are considering texturing a ceiling, make sure you weigh up the pros and cons carefully before going ahead with this.
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