Does Removing Popcorn Ceiling Increase Home Value? (Explained)

Popcorn ceilings were all the rage back in the day, but now they've fallen out of favor and just make your home look outdated.

But here's the thing: removing a popcorn ceiling can be a big project, and it's not always cheap.

So, is it worth it? Can removing a popcorn ceiling actually increase the value of your home, or is it just a cosmetic upgrade that you're doing for your own peace of mind?

Yes it's worth it. Removing a popcorn ceiling will ALWAYS increase the value of your home!

In this post, I'll explain how popcorn ceiling removal impacts home value in detail.

Does Removing Popcorn Ceiling Increase Home Value?

Yes. Removing outdated popcorn ceilings is definitely one of those home improvement projects that can add value to your property.

Popcorn ceilings are considered outdated by many buyers.

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Removing them creates a more modern and inviting atmosphere. Plus, a smooth ceiling can make your house more appealing to a wider range of buyers.

And this can lead to a quicker sale.

Why Removing Popcorn Ceiling Increase Home Value

Here’s why removing popcorn ceilings can help increase a home's value:

#1 Improved Aesthetics

Many people see popcorn ceilings as outdated and unattractive these days.

They're just not stylish anymore. Removing them and having a smooth, clean ceiling can really improve the overall look and appeal of a home.

It can make the rooms feel more modern, bright, and inviting.

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This updated look can make the property way more attractive to potential buyers.

And when buyers find a home more appealing, they're often willing to pay more for it.

So getting rid of those old popcorn ceilings and freshening up the space can definitely increase how much a buyer thinks the home is worth.

#2 Health Benefits

Believe it or not, some popcorn ceilings installed before the late 1970s contained asbestos.

Asbestos is a really dangerous material that can cause serious health issues like lung cancer if you're exposed to it over time.

So if a home has those old popcorn ceilings, there's a chance asbestos could be present.

Removing these ceilings eliminates that potential health hazard.

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This can give homebuyers a lot of peace of mind knowing they won't have to worry about asbestos exposure.

And that added sense of safety makes the property way more desirable to buyers.

#3 It's Hard To Work With

Popcorn ceilings are just plain difficult to work with if you want to do any kind of home improvement project.

Trying to paint over them or make repairs is a real hassle because of that bumpy texture.

But if you remove the popcorn ceiling first, you're left with a smooth, clean surface.

They can easily paint, install new light fixtures, or make any other updates they want without having to deal with that rough popcorn finish.

This makes customizing and maintaining the space so much easier down the road.

Things To Consider When Removing Popcorn Ceilings

Now there are a few important things to think about too:

Cost And Labor

Getting rid of popcorn ceilings is no small task.

It's a pretty big job that requires a lot of time, effort, and money, especially if you hire professional contractors to do it. All that labor really adds up.

It can cost anywhere around $926 - $3,023 for normal sized homes.

So you've have to factor in those costs when deciding if it's truly worth it for the potential increase in home value.

For some people, the investment just might not make sense financially.

Potential Damage

Removing popcorn ceilings is also a messy process if it's not done correctly.

You're essentially tearing down that rough layer which can easily damage the drywall or plaster underneath if you're not careful.

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And once that underlying surface is messed up, you've got to repair it - costing you even more time and money.

So there's definitely a risk of accidentally creating more problems that need fixing.

You've really got to know what you're doing if you’re DIY-ing. Or just leave it to the pros.

Why Were Popcorn Ceilings Popular?

Popcorn ceilings were actually pretty trendy in the 1950s through 1980s.

But it wasn't just about the style factor. Popcorn ceilings were functional too.

For one, they were great at absorbing sound.

So in rooms where you wanted to reduce echoes and improve acoustics, like living rooms or bedrooms, popcorn ceilings helped dampen noise. They made the space feel nice and quiet.

Another perk was that its bumpy texture could actually hide imperfections in the ceiling nicely.

If there were any cracks, dents, or uneven surfaces up there, the popcorn finish kind of camouflaged all that. It created a smooth, seamless look overall.

Plus, doing a popcorn texture was a breeze compared to meticulously smoothing a ceiling.

This saved builders time and money, especially during the post-WWII housing boom.