What Are Popcorn Ceilings Made Of

Popcorn ceilings can be sprayed on to add texture.

Popcorn ceilings came into use in the 1950s. A textured finish that is sprayed on, the material offers some soundproofing benefits. Common reasons for use include the ease of application and ability to cover cracked or uneven ceilings. The mixture contains clays, cellulose, adhesive, polystyrene and ethyl vinyl acetate. Older ceilings may contain asbestos.

Asbestos

Popcorn ceiling texture containing asbestos was banned in 1978. The use of existing stock continued until it ran out around the early 1980s. Asbestos-containing ceiling material does not pose a problem unless it begins to deteriorate or you wish to remove it. These two situations could cause the asbestos to become airborne and easily inhaled. If you think you may have a popcorn ceiling with asbestos, call a lab to take samples and test for the presence of asbestos. If the ceiling remains in good condition, it can stay in place without causing problems.

Cellulose

Cellulose is a fiber. Wood, paper and cotton contain cellulose. You will find cellulose in many common products including laxatives, shampoo and deodorants. It thickens and keeps shampoo from being too foamy. It also helps shampoo clean better by forming colloids around dirt.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene is a common plastic used in many everyday products. It gives popcorn ceilings texture and is the main ingredient of Styrofoam. Foam packaging and insulation contain polystyrene. It is an inexpensive and hard plastic which lends itself well to uses including the housing of computers. Adhesive, clay and ethyl vinyl acetate also make up popcorn ceiling texture.

Considerations

If you wish to remove an outdated popcorn ceiling, find out first if it contains asbestos. The homeowner can safely remove popcorn texture as long as it does not contain asbestos. It is a messy job, however. It will require plastic to protect floors and walls. One of the best ways to get it down is to get it thoroughly wet and then scrape it off. Wear a dust mask as even without asbestos you do not want to breathe any dust in. If the ceiling does contain asbestos, leave removal to the professionals who have the equipment and know-remove it safely.

Tags: contain asbestos, ceiling texture, does contain, does contain asbestos, ethyl vinyl, ethyl vinyl acetate, popcorn ceiling