Professional Ceiling Contractors

Once professional ceiling contractors were called in, the texture removal went smoothly: Living room with smooth ceilings - condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver
Ceiling texture removed by professional ceiling contractors at a Vancouver condo - Bedroom at 1331 Homer St.
Ceiling texture removed by professional ceiling contractors at a Vancouver condo – Bedroom at 1331 Homer St.

The Importance of Hiring Professional Ceiling Contractors

Professional ceiling contractors can make all the difference when it comes to having your ceiling texture removed. An inexperienced contractor who is not familiar with ceiling texture can cause delays in your project, and the end results can be less than ideal.

We were contacted by new homeowners on Homer Street in Vancouver. They had just purchased their first condo and while they were excited about this, they were not thrilled with the textured ceilings. One of the first things they planned for, before moving in, was ceiling texture removal. Unfortunately for them, they hired someone with very little experience with ceilings.

They were promised a three-day job by their contractor. By the end of the first day, the frustrated contractor had completed only one small room and told them there was no way he could finish the job for them. Needless to say, the homeowners were pretty frustrated too. When dealing with ceilings, especially concrete ceilings, it’s important to hire professional ceiling contractors. Some drywall contractors and general handymen may think that removing popcorn ceilings is no big deal, but they often find they are in over their heads, as was the case in this instance.

RemoveCeilingTexture.com was then contacted. The homeowners were a bit panicked by this time because they were anxious to move in. We had a look at the ceilings and assured them it would be no problem for us, as we’ve done many concrete ceilings. In fact, we had done a condo in the very same building. They were happy with this news and agreed for us to start the following week. We soon had the texture removed in their condo and resurfaced the ceilings to a flat, smooth surface.

 

Here are some before and after photos from this project:

Close-up view of corner after ceiling texture removal at a condo at 1331 Homer St., Vancouver
Close-up view of corner after ceiling texture removal at a condo at 1331 Homer St., Vancouver
Smooth ceilings appear higher - Vancouver condo at 1331 Homer St.
Smooth ceilings appear higher – Vancouver condo at 1331 Homer St.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once professional ceiling contractors were called in, the texture removal went smoothly: Living room with smooth ceilings - condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver
Once professional ceiling contractors were called in, the texture removal went smoothly: Living room with smooth ceilings – condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver

 

Riding the Waves

It’s especially important to hire professional ceiling contractors when dealing with the concrete ceilings of highrise buildings. The ceilings are sometimes wavy due to inconsistencies in the forms used when they pour the concrete. At RemoveCeilingTexture.com, we resurface the ceilings by hand and can adjust for these waves.

This “During and After” photo shows a ceiling that had the texture removed by someone inexperienced. We were later called in to fix the dips that were apparent. If we had been contacted from the start, the homeowner would not have had to pay twice for flat ceilings.

Once RCT filled in the waves, resurfaced the ceiling and painted it, it was perfect.
Once RCT filled in the waves, resurfaced the ceiling and painted it, it was perfect.

 

If you have popcorn ceilings that you’d like to have removed, contact the professionals at RemoveCeilingTexture.com. As experts in the ceiling industry, we get the job done right the first time. Call us at 604-420-7578 or contact us by email.

 

Contact the ceiling professionals at RemoveCeilingTexture.com today for a FREE quote on ceiling texture removal!

 

Love Your Smooth Ceilings

Before and after: Smooth ceilings in Burnaby - Bedroom

 

Before and after: Smooth ceilings in Burnaby - Bedroom
Before and after: Ceiling texture removal in Burnaby – Bedroom

Ceilings are so often overlooked in home design. At RemoveCeilingTexture.com we believe that you should love your ceilings as much as you love the rest of your home. We’ve never heard anyone say that they love their ceiling texture, but we have had people tell us how much they love their smooth ceilings after we’ve worked on them.

What’s to Love About Smooth Ceilings?

It’s important to feel a sense of peace and comfort in your home. After all, it’s your refuge from this crazy world we live in. They may go mostly unnoticed, but that doesn’t mean that ceilings don’t affect the feel of your home. Dingy texture can make your home feel dark and oppressive. The difference between walking into a  home with popcorn ceilings and one with smooth ceilings is quite noticeable. And not only do smooth ceilings invoke a sense of cleanliness, but they actually are cleaner. Because there are no nooks and crannies for dust to hide in, smooth ceilings are better for your health.

Feeling the Love in Burnaby and West Vancouver

This townhome in Burnaby had ceilings that were definitely less than loveable. The old ceiling texture was crumbly and dirty and needed to go. Smooth ceilings transformed the space into a much more pleasant place to be.

Before and after: Smooth ceilings in Burnaby - Dining Room
Before and after: Ceiling texture removal in Burnaby – Dining Room
Before and after: Smooth ceilings in Burnaby - Living Room
Before and after: Ceiling texture removal in Burnaby – Living Room

The owner of this West Vancouver home decided to have his ceiling texture removed at the same time as some other renovations. While it’s always a good time to get smooth ceilings, if you’re already planning renovations, starting with your ceilings is ideal.

Before and after: Smooth ceilings in West Vancouver - Living Room
Before and after: Ceiling texture removal in West Vancouver – Living Room
Before and after: Smooth ceilings in West Vancouver - Close-up
Before and after: Ceiling texture removal in West Vancouver – Close-up

Whether you want ceiling texture removal for aesthetic reasons or health reasons, we’re certain you will love your ceilings once they’re smooth. Contact us today for a FREE quote on smooth ceilings. Call us at 604-420-7578 or contact us by email.

 

 

 

Removing Ceiling Texture

Removing ceiling texture in the living room of a condo at 1723 Alberni St.
Removing ceiling texture in the living room of a condo at 1723 Alberni St.
Removing ceiling texture in the living room of a condo at 1723 Alberni St.

Removing ceiling texture is something we at RemoveCeilingTexture.com take pride in.  Textured ceilings, popcorn ceilings, stipple ceilings…whatever you want to call them, we despise them. It gives us pleasure to take a home that has dated texture and turn it into something modern, bright and airy. There’s nothing better than the look on the homeowner’s face when they see the ceilings at the end of the project. They often haven’t realized how much the popcorn ceilings have affected the feel of the home, but once it’s gone, the ceilings look higher and the whole space becomes brighter.

 

Why Do Popcorn Ceilings Exist?

It’s one of the great questions of our time.  Second only to the meaning of life, of course.

Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street

Putting a popcorn-like texture on the ceilings is pretty absurd if you think about it. Where else in your home has a thick, ugly texture been sprayed? Do your kitchen cabinets have texture? What about your floors?

Ceiling texture is popular with developers because it’s much easier and faster to spray the ceilings than it is to finish the drywall (or concrete if you’re in a highrise). And ceilings are a difficult area to work on because they’re above your head and out of reach from the floor. This means it takes more time and effort to create a nice, smooth ceiling. Unless they’re building a custom home, or build high-end homes, developers usually want to get the house built as quickly as possible. The faster they can get the house sold, the quicker they can see a profit. Popcorn ceilings are a way to cut corners a bit. Some people argue that ceiling texture stops echoes, but as we wrote in a previous post, The Lowdown on Textured Ceilings, it’s not the popcorn that is absorbing the sound in a room and thus stopping echoes, it’s your furnishings. If you have a completely empty room with popcorn ceilings, there will still be an echo. After removing ceiling texture on many homes, we’ve yet to have anyone complain about echoes.

 

Improve Your Health by Removing Ceiling Texture

It’s not just that popcorn ceilings are aesthetically offensive, although that’s reason enough to want them removed. They can be detrimental to your health. Popcorn ceilings are known to aggravate asthma and allergies. This is because they trap dust, which can later fall back down, making your eyes itchy and your nose runny. If you or a loved one has asthma, popcorn ceilings can be quite dangerous. A homeowner in North Vancouver contacted us about removing ceiling texture because her grandson was allergic to dust and she was concerned that her ceilings could be making his symptoms worse. She was thrilled with her ceilings after we worked on them. They are now smooth and dust-free.

This North Vancouver homeowner had ceiling texture removal due to health concerns
This North Vancouver homeowner had ceiling texture removal due to health concerns

 

Removing Ceiling Texture in Coal Harbour

We were recently contacted by a homeowner on Alberni Street in Vancouver. She was concerned about germs and dust that could become trapped in the popcorn ceilings, plus she hated that her condo looked like it was stuck in the 1970s.  She decided to remove the texture herself.  When she was done the bedroom, she was not impressed with her work. The ceilings were rough and uneven, but she figured that’s as good as they were going to get and she would just have to live with them.  Then she found RemoveCeilingTexture.com. When she realized that there is a company in the Lower Mainland that specializes in removing ceiling texture and resurfacing ceilings, she was thrilled. She decided to have us do the rest of her condo. Since it had taken her a long time to scrape her bedroom ceiling, she figured we would be there all week working on her ceilings. When we told her that we should be able to finish within 3-4 days, she was so excited. Her ceilings were straightforward and everything went as planned. We were done within 4 days and she was very pleased with the results.

 

Here are some before, during, and after photos from the project on Alberni Street:

Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street - BEFORE
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street – BEFORE
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street:  DURING
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street: DURING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street - AFTER
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street – AFTER
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street - DURING
Removing ceiling texture in the kitchen of a condo at 1723 Alberni Street – DURING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re tired of your home looking outdated or are concerned about the health risks that popcorn ceilings pose, removing ceiling texture could be just what is needed. Contact us today for a FREE quote. Give us a call at 604-420-7578 or contact us through email.

 

Contact RemoveCeilingTexture.com today for a FREE quote on removing ceiling texture!

 

Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings

Asbestos fibres

One of our frequently asked questions concerns a dangerous material found in many homes built prior to the mid-1980s. No, not shag carpeting (although that’s scary too). It’s asbestos in popcorn ceilings.  Many people have heard it’s bad, but they don’t really know what asbestos is or what can be done about it.

 

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos fibres
Asbestos fibres

Asbestos is a type of mineral fibre. It is naturally occurring and is obtained from the earth by mining. One of the biggest mines is in the town of Asbestos, Quebec. Asbestos has been used in various products for thousands of years, however modern usage began around 1880. There are several types of asbestos, but since this article deals with ceilings, we’ll refer to the one that is most commonly found in ceiling texture: chrysotile. It’s sometimes known as serpentine asbestos or white asbestos.

 

Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings

Asbestos was thought to be a miracle material.  It’s resistant to chemical and biological degradation, so it’s virtually indestructible. It’s even fireproof. You can see how great it seemed, yet this cheap miracle fibre turned out to be a health disaster. Once a link was established between certain cancers and asbestos, Canada banned its use in building materials. This ban took effect in about 1978, but existing stock was allowed to be used. Because of this, homes built into the early 1980s could also have asbestos in popcorn ceilings. 

 

What Health Complications Can Asbestos Exposure Cause?

Exposure to asbestos can cause all sorts of respiratory problems and cancers. The World Health Organization states:

All types of asbestos cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovary, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs). Exposure to asbestos occurs through inhalation of fibres in air in the working environment, ambient air in the vicinity of point sources such as factories handling asbestos, or indoor air in housing and buildings containing friable (crumbly) asbestos materials.

Most of these health issues are recorded in people associated with the asbestos mining industry, but for safety, any asbestos exposure should be avoided.

Chest x-ray showing extensive mesothelioma on the right side from asbestos exposure
Chest x-ray showing extensive mesothelioma on the right side from asbestos exposure

How Do I Know if There is Asbestos in My Ceiling Texture?

Asbestos fibres are microscopic and the only way to know for sure if your ceiling texture has them is to take a sample to an independent lab for analysis.  At RemoveCeilingTexture.com we offer a service to come and take a sample to a third-party lab for analysis.

 

Can I Still Get Smooth Ceilings if the Texture has Asbestos?

While the only way to get rid of asbestos is to hire an abatement company, the cost can be prohibitive. If you’d like smooth ceilings but don’t want to go through the expensive process of abatement, RemoveCeilingTexture.com can help. Our process for asbestos ceilings will not disturb the ceiling texture, which is important because you don’t want the asbestos fibres becoming airborne. We apply our compound directly onto the texture to seal in the fibres. You’re left with smooth ceilings.

 

Asbestos in North Vancouver

This homeowner in North Vancouver was doing extensive renovations in her basement suite and wanted modern smooth ceilings. The home was built in 1974 and so she had the ceiling texture tested for asbestos. The results came back positive. Asbestos abatement was not in her budget, but she still wanted the ceilings to match the rest of the updates. She got a few quotes from drywall specialists, but in the end decided to go with us at RemoveCeilingTexture.com because we are experts in this field. We applied our compound directly to the texture and soon the ceilings were smooth and matched the new contemporary feel of the suite.

Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings: This home in North Vancouver had the ceilings smoothed - Bedroom
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings: This home in North Vancouver had the ceilings smoothed – Bedroom
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings: Ceiling repair and smooth ceilings in North Vancouver
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings: Ceiling repair and smooth ceilings in North Vancouver
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings - Ceiling repair and smooth ceilings in North Vancouver
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings – Ceiling repair and smooth ceilings in North Vancouver
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings: Before and after of hallway in North Vancouver
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings: Before and after of hallway in North Vancouver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings - Smooth ceilings in living room of North Vancouver basement suite
Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings – Smooth ceilings in living room of North Vancouver basement suite

 

If you’d like to find out more about ceiling resurfacing, or would like RemoveCeilingTexture.com to come out to take a sample for asbestos testing, please give us a call at 604-420-7578 or contact us by email.

 

 

Want to know more about asbestos testing for ceiling texture, or how to get smooth ceilings? Click here to contact us today!

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Resources:
2. Asbestos risk assessment document from the WHO, IARC Monograph (2012), pp219-294:  http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol100C/mono100C-11.pdf
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Ceiling Corner Cracks

This Vancouver condo had ceiling corner cracks in the texture
This Vancouver condo had ceiling corner cracks in the texture
This Vancouver condo had ceiling corner cracks in the texture

Ceiling corner cracks. Cracked corners of the ceilings. Entrances to other portals. Whatever you call them, popcorn-texture cracks in the corners of your ceilings are ugly and should be taken care of.  And if they are indeed entrances to other portals, you risk the possibility of Narnia-like creatures invading and eating all the cookies in your cupboard. So there’s that.

But aside from thwarting mystical beings, there are practical reasons to get these cracks fixed.  To start with, the cracks look terrible.  Also, dust and moisture can get in there and create problems, possibly leading to more cracking in the texture.  And if that’s not bad enough, just think about insects and spiders setting up shop in there. The ceiling corner cracks have to go if you want peace of mind.

 

Why Do Ceiling Corner Cracks Appear?

Ceiling texture can crack around the walls
Ceiling texture can crack around the walls

Ceiling texture often cracks in the corners and around the edges of walls because of the way the drywall was finished.  If insufficient amounts of mud are applied to the drywall tape at these critical wall-ceiling meeting points, the tape will eventually become too dry and will start to lift off the drywall.  The ceiling texture is lifted with the tape and this creates a crack.  If you are experiencing this problem, we can fix it during the process of  removing the ceiling texture and  resurfacing the ceilings with fresh mud compound.  This stops the corners from delaminating and cracking again in the long run.

 

 

Fix the Cracks and Seal off the Portals

Ceiling Texture Removal in Kamloops - Close-up of ceiling texture in Kamloops
Close-up of ceiling texture in Kamloops

These homeowners weren’t sure what to do about their cracks. They decided to find someone who specializes in ceilings. That’s when they contacted us. At RemoveCeilingTexture.com, we deal with ceilings and ceiling texture each and every day.  Our experience makes us qualified in a way that drywallers and general contractors aren’t because they don’t specialize in ceilings. In fact, we’re often contacted by general contractors who know they don’t have the expertise when it comes to ceilings.

Because the drywall tape underneath the ceiling texture is the culprit, trying to fix the texture won’t solve the problem.  The corners are likely to keep cracking in the future. So the homeowners opted to remove the texture altogether and have the ceiling resurfaced. The mud compound we use will stop the tape from lifting. This fixed the ceiling corner cracks problem, but also gave them modern, smooth ceilings that literally freshen the home. Air quality is better after ceiling texture is removed because dust and other allergens can no longer become trapped up there.  Now they don’t have to worry about ceiling cracks, asthma aggravation, or half human-half goat fauns leaving muddy hoof marks in the living room.

 

Other types of ceiling cracks that we often see:

Water damaged ceilings in the living room. You can see the texture has cracked and is peeling.
Cracked, water damaged ceilings
Another crack fixed in the den of a Burnaby condo
Another crack fixed in the den of a Burnaby condo
Another view of ceiling cracks in Burnaby
Another view of ceiling cracks in Burnaby
Ceiling cracks in the living room of a Burnaby condo.
Ceiling cracks in the living room of a Burnaby condo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living room ceiling cracks were repaired by RemoveCeilingTexture.com
Living room ceiling cracks were repaired by RemoveCeilingTexture.com

 

If you have ceiling cracks, or you just want more information on removing ceiling texture, contact us today. Call us at 604-420-7578 or contact us by email for a FREE quote.

 

Have ceiling cracks, or want your texture removed? Contact us today!

 

 

The Lowdown on Textured Ceilings

This condo at 518 Moberly Rd in Vancouver had the textured ceilings removed
This condo at 518 Moberly Rd in Vancouver had the textured ceilings removed
This condo at 518 Moberly Rd in Vancouver had the textured ceilings removed

If your home was built from about 1950 onwards, there’s a good chance you have textured ceilings, also known as popcorn ceilings or stippled ceilings. It’s even being used today in the countless highrises sprouting from the earth like fungi. You might think, wouldn’t they be able to sell the units for more money if the ceilings were smooth and actually looked finished? Yes, they most likely would, but the problem is that old adage: time is money. Textured ceilings are quick and cheap and they need to sell the units as quickly as possible. This keeps us at RemoveCeilingTexture.com quite busy.

 

The Nitty Gritty of Textured Ceilings

So let’s break it down. What are the arguments for and against textured ceilings?

 

“Textured ceilings are quick and cheap to build.”

This argument really only works for the developer. But this is about you, the homeowner.

Ceilings transformed from textured to smooth at a condo at 1230 Haro Street in Vancouver
Ceilings transformed from textured to smooth at a condo at 1230 Haro Street in Vancouver

You’re likely not pocketing the savings the developers made by spraying the

texture. Do you know what else is quick and cheap? Leaving the concrete floors unfinished and not painting the walls. How many developers do that? For some reason textured ceilings have become almost an industry standard and people put up with it.

 

“Textured ceilings mute sound.”

If you live in a modern condo building, the texture is not making a difference in sound transmission. Generally, you shouldn’t be able to hear your neighbours walking around.

Living room of Vancouver condo now has smooth ceilings - 1230 Haro St, Vancouver
Living room of Vancouver condo now has smooth ceilings – 1230 Haro St, Vancouver

However, if your upstairs neighbour insists on channeling her inner Victoria Beckham by walking in heels at all hours, textured ceilings will not make one iota of difference. You’re going to hear that clickety-clack whether or not you have textured ceilings. Likewise, the creaks and groans of an older home are going to come through regardless of the texture on your ceilings. The sound may not even be coming through the ceilings. If walls are missing insulation, sound will travel through. Unless you have a seriously sound proofed room that can silence a nine-year old boy and his drum set, you’re going to get some sound transfer.

The other sound issue people talk about is echo within a room.

Removal of textured ceilings in the dining room of a Vancouver Condo - 1230 Haro St.
Removal of textured ceilings in the dining room of a Vancouver Condo – 1230 Haro St.

Echoes occur when sound waves bounce off of hard surfaces such as walls and ceilings, multiple times. It’s true, if you have an empty room with no furniture, textured ceilings will slightly dampen echoes. But once you add softer components such as sofas, chairs, beds, carpets, rugs, etc., the sound waves will be absorbed by these softer items and won’t create an echo. So your textured ceilings are not helping.

 

“Textured ceilings don’t bother me.”

Are you sure about that? They may not bother you visually, but what they harbour could be affecting your health. Asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems can be aggravated by the dust and allergens that are present in every home. In most homes you vacuum, you dust…problem solved, right? Not so fast. The dust gets stuck in the nooks and crannies of textured ceilings. It can then fall back down at its leisure, making your symptoms worse.

Smooth ceilings appear higher - Vancouver condo at 1331 Homer St.
Smooth ceilings appear higher – Vancouver condo at 1331 Homer St.
Resurfaced concrete ceilings at a Vancouver condo - Bedroom at 1331 Homer St.
Resurfaced concrete ceilings at a Vancouver condo – Bedroom at 1331 Homer St.

Smoothing Out the Nitty Gritty

The good news is that you’re not stuck with textured ceilings. From penthouse condos to heritage homes and everything in between, we can provide smooth ceilings for pretty much every type of dwelling (we’ve yet to do a hobbit-hole, though).

At RemoveCeilingTexture.com, our name only tells part of the story. Removing the ceiling texture is only the first step to smooth ceilings. Once the texture is gone, you’ll often see inconsistencies in the ceilings. If you were to paint at this stage, they wouldn’t look very good. The next, crucial step is where our expertise really shines:  resurfacing the ceilings. Our process will leave you with flawless, smooth ceilings that look fantastic.

Contact us today for a FREE QUOTE for getting rid of your textured ceilings. Send us an email, or call us at 604-420-7578.

Close-up view of corner after ceiling texture removal at a condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver
Close-up view of corner after ceiling texture removal at a condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver
Living room with smooth ceilings - condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver
Living room with smooth ceilings – condo at 1331 Homer St, Vancouver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tired of your textured ceilings? Contact us today for a FREE quote!

 

 

Ceiling Finishes

Ceiling Finishes: Smooth Ceilings - Living room with smooth ceilings in Port Coquitlam

Your Own Personal Sistine Chapel

Ceiling finishes are pretty much only limited to your imagination.  From Michelangelo-esque works of art to wallpaper to coffered ceilings, the one thing required before beginning is a flat surface. Popcorn ceiling texture gets in the way of most ceiling finishes.

Ceiling Finishes:  Smooth ceilings in North Vancouver - Fireplace
Ceiling Finishes: Smooth ceilings in North Vancouver – Fireplace

At RemoveCeilingTexture.com, we specialize in not only removing the texture, but more importantly, in creating sleek, blemish-free surfaces. They are beautiful left this way, or use them as a base to apply mouldings, medallions or stencils to get the look you want.

 

Sashimi, Steak Tartare, Egg Nog:  Must Our Concrete be Raw Too?

If you live in a highrise building, you likely have concrete ceilings.  Designers of these buildings use various concrete ceiling finishes to achieve whatever look they’re going for. Sometimes they’re left bare for a raw, industrial look. This look isn’t for everyone.

Ceiling Finishes:  Smooth Ceilings - Texture removed from concrete ceilings in Vancouver
Ceiling Finishes: Smooth Ceilings – Texture removed from concrete ceilings in Vancouver

While it may look glamourous in magazines or movies, in real life it can feel cold, impersonal and just plain unfinished. Other times the concrete’s sprayed with ceiling texture just like drywall ceilings are. Why? It’s cheaper to spray popcorn texture than it is to finish them to a nice smooth surface.  If you have over 100 condos in a building to finish, speed usually triumphs over quality. RemoveCeilingTexture.com can remove the texture, fix any cracks and holes and skim over the concrete to create a warmer, finished look.

 

 

Smooth Ceiling Finishes

Ceiling Finishes:  Smooth Ceilings - Dining room in Port Coquitlam has the texture removed
Ceiling Finishes: Smooth Ceilings – Dining room in Port Coquitlam has the texture removed
Ceiling Finishes:  Smooth Ceilings - Living room with smooth ceilings in Port Coquitlam
Ceiling Finishes: Smooth Ceilings – Living room with smooth ceilings in Port Coquitlam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceiling Finishes:  Smooth Ceilings - Close up of texture removal around a light fixture in North Vancouver
Ceiling Finishes: Smooth Ceilings – Close up of texture removal around a light fixture in North Vancouver
Ceiling Finishes:  Smooth Ceilings - Stain in North Vancouver living room is gone, along with the ugly texture
Ceiling Finishes: Smooth Ceilings – Stain in North Vancouver living room is gone, along with the ugly texture

 

 

Contact RemoveCeilingTexture.com today for a FREE, no obligation, quote for ceiling texture removal. Send us an email, or give us a call at 604-420-7578. We’d love to discuss your project and answer any ceiling related questions you may have.

 

Contact us today for a FREE quote on ceiling texture removal!

Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Popcorn ceiling removal in dining room of Burnaby condo
Popcorn ceiling removal around a ceiling fan that could  not be removed in a Vancouver condo
Popcorn ceiling removal around a ceiling fan that could not be removed in a Vancouver condo

You know the saying, popcorn doesn’t grow on trees? Oh, that’s not the saying? Well, it doesn’t grow on trees. And it shouldn’t grow on ceilings either. Popcorn ceilings is another term for textured ceilings. I guess they started calling it popcorn ceilings because warty ceilings just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?

 

*On a side note, I did a Google image search for warts when writing this post. Do not do that. Ever.

 

 

Whether you call it popcorn ceilings, textured ceilings, stippled ceilings, or what it really looks like, diseased ceilings, you can have it removed. RemoveCeilingTexture.com specializes in popcorn ceiling removal.

 

So Popcorn Ceilings Look Bad, What’s the Big Deal?

Apart from the fact that they’re hideous to look at, popcorn ceilings are harmful to your health.

Entrance area of a Vancouver condo that has had popcorn ceiling removal
Entrance area of a Vancouver condo that has had popcorn ceiling removal

Since they are next to impossible to clean, dust gets trapped up there. Do you know what dust is composed of?  It’s a mixture of many things, including plant pollen, hair, and skin cells. Yes, all those things are trapped up in your popcorn ceiling. If you or a family member has allergies, you’ll benefit from smooth ceilings. Even if you don’t have respiratory problems, I think we can all agree that when it comes to breathing in skin cells, less is better. Now that you’re completely grossed out over popcorn ceilings, how can you have them removed?

 

 

Popcorn Ceiling Removal by the Experts

Popcorn ceiling removal in Vancouver - Living Room
Popcorn ceiling removal in Vancouver – Living Room

At RemoveCeilingTexture.com, we’re experts in creating smooth ceilings. But it’s not as easy as simply scraping the popcorn off. There are a few steps involved. First the popcorn is removed with a special machine to minimize any mess. After this step, the ceilings look rough and unfinished. The second step, ceiling resurfacing, is where the real magic comes in. This is where we even out any dips, waves, or other blemishes apparent when the popcorn comes off. The last step is a quick sanding to make the ceiling flawless. Read more about RemoveCeilingTexture.com’s unique process.

 

Bedroom of Burnaby condo after popcorn ceiling removal
Bedroom of Burnaby condo after popcorn ceiling removal
Popcorn ceiling removal in dining room of Burnaby condo
Popcorn ceiling removal in dining room of Burnaby condo
Brighter hallway after popcorn ceiling removal
Brighter hallway after popcorn ceiling removal
Popcorn ceiling removal in the living room
Popcorn ceiling removal in the living room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Strings Attached

If you’re like us, you believe that popcorn belongs at the movies, not stuck to your ceilings. Contact RemoveCeilingTexture.com today for a quote on popcorn ceiling removal.  Unlike some companies, we don’t charge for providing a quote and our quotes are always obligation free. So send us an email, or give us a call at 604-420-7578.  

 

Get a FREE quote on popcorn ceiling removal!

 

 

Increase the Value of Your Home

We can work around things like fire sprinklers when removing ceiling texture.

Do you want to increase the value of your home? That’s kind of like asking someone if they like pancakes. No rational person answers no to that!  So unless you’re one of those weird, pancake-hating monsters people, here’s a simple way you can add some value to your home. (If you do hate pancakes, that’s okay. I’m sure your mother still loves you.)

 

Increase the Value of Your Home with Ceiling Renovations

Easy way to increase the value of your home: This West Van condo had ceiling texture removed
Easy way to increase the value of your home: This West Van condo had ceiling texture removed

Renovations. The very word invokes fear in some and manic glee in others (you know who you are). But before you haul out the chainsaw and start hacking away at walls, a huge mortgage-your-house transformation may not be necessary. If your home is in decent shape but could use some tweaking, consider having RemoveCeilingTexture.com remove your ceiling texture and refinish the ceilings. Removing the popcorn ceilings can dramatically change your home’s appearance. Ceiling texture is outdated, dusty and full of allergens. It also makes rooms feel small. Smooth ceilings reflect light better and make spaces appear larger.

 

If you are planning a large renovation, smooth, refinished ceilings can be the crowning glory. But a smooth ceiling is also a great option if your house just needs a little bit of TLC and you’d like to increase the value of your home. The great thing about RemoveCeilingTexture.com’s ceiling texture removal process is that you don’t have to put your life on hold while the renovations are being done. We can work around you. In just a few days your ceiling will go from a lumpy, breeding ground for spiders to a smooth surface that makes the space feel more welcoming.

The kitchen in a Main Street condo gets an update simply by removing the popcorn texture on the ceilings
The kitchen in a Main Street condo gets an update simply by removing the popcorn texture on the ceilings
We can work around things like fire sprinklers when removing ceiling texture.
We can work around things like fire sprinklers when removing ceiling texture.

Seller Beware: Smooth Ceilings Sell Better

We’ve dealt with many buyers who are in the process of putting an offer on a home.

Living room of Vancouver condo feels larger with smooth ceilings
Living room of Vancouver condo feels larger with smooth ceilings

They contact us to see how much it will cost to have the ceiling texture removed, and they’re going to factor that into the offer.  If your ceilings are already smooth, your home will naturally fetch better offers from potential buyers. If the choice for a buyer is between your home and a similar home, you want to get whatever edge you can. If one has modern, smooth ceilings and is move-in ready and the other has dingy popcorn ceilings that will need to be dealt with before the buyers move in, it’s clear which one is going to be the winner.  *Unless the purchasers hate pancakes. In that case they are loose cannons and there’s telling what they’ll do!

 

Ceiling texture removal in Vancouver - Bedroom
Ceiling texture removal in Vancouver – Bedroom

 

It couldn’t be easier to increase the value of your home. RemoveCeilingTexture.com provides FREE, no obligation quotes for ceiling renovations and ceiling texture removal.. Contact us today at 604-420-7578 or send us an email.

 

Would you like to increase the value of your home with ceiling texture removal? Contact us today for a FREE quote!

 

Ceiling Refinishing

Ceiling refinishing using the same method used by plaster artisans

Most fads of the 60s and 70s have pretty much disappeared. Except pet rocks. Like parrots and other long-living animals, pet rocks often outlived their owners, ending up abandoned in animal shelters.

This condo at 55 Blackberry Drive in New Westminster has had ceiling refinishing
This condo at 55 Blackberry Drive in New Westminster has had ceiling refinishing

Anyway, for some unexplainable reason, popcorn ceilings, sometimes known as stippled ceilings, are also still hanging in there. What you may not know is that you can do something about it! Ceiling refinishing is an option that will leave you with smooth ceilings.

 

Can’t I Just Scrape Off My Ceiling Texture?

Getting smooth ceilings isn’t as simple as scraping off the texture. There are other things to consider, outlined below, and this is why a professional who has a lot of ceiling experience should be hired. At RemoveCeilingTexture.com, our entire business is built around ceiling refinishing. We have the expertise necessary to turn your outdated, textured ceilings into smooth, flawless surfaces.

 

Asbestos:

If your home was built prior to the early 80s, the ceiling texture could contain asbestos. Asbestos fibres are generally not dangerous unless they are airborne, which they will become if you scrape the texture. These fibres are microscopic and when breathed in can get lodged in your lungs. This can lead to breathing problems, scarring and in extreme cases, mesothelioma. If you do have asbestos in your texture, you can still have smooth ceilings. RemoveCeilingTexture.com’s unique process can give you smooth ceilings without disturbing the asbestos fibres. The fibres are sealed in and won’t be disturbed unless there’s some sort of home demolition, or a major earthquake, in which case, ceiling texture would be the least of your problems.

 

Painted Ceiling Texture:

People often don’t know what to do with dirty ceiling texture. It can’t be cleaned, so they just slap some paint over it. This method is not an ideal solution. Who wants to repaint their ceilings every 6 months? If the texture has been painted, it won’t scrape off easily, if at all. It’ll be very difficult to remove it without gouging the ceiling. This is another great reason to have the professionals at RemoveCeilingTexture.com deal with your ceilings.

 

Uneven Ceilings:

The reason stipple is applied to ceilings is so that they don’t have to be finished properly. This saves the builder time and money. If you do manage to remove the texture from your ceilings, you will likely find that they’re in rough shape. They may be uneven or wavy. Wavy ceilings are seen especially in condos with concrete ceilings. The concrete frames they use are not perfect, so you’re left with waves, ridges, holes and other blemishes. This is where ceiling refinishing comes in.

 

What is Ceiling Refinishing and What is Remove Ceiling Texture’s Process?

If there is no asbestos in the ceiling texture, the texture is removed with a special sander/vacuum. This is not some Red Green inspired duct-taped contraption, but a refined piece of German engineering created specifically for the wall and ceiling industry.

*If there is asbestos in the ceiling, we skip the sanding step and add an encapsulant to the mud compound for the skim coating step below.

The first step to smooth ceilings is sanding the texture with the Festool specialty sander
The first step to smooth ceilings is sanding the texture with the Festool specialty sander
The Festool sander is German-engineered for the wall and ceiling industry
The Festool sander is German-engineered for the wall and ceiling industry

Next comes the crucial step that will make your ceilings look professional: ceiling refinishing. A mud compound is applied by hawk and trowel, the same method used by plaster artisans for centuries. Depending on the condition of the ceiling, one to three coats are applied in this fashion, with time for drying between each coat.

 

Ceiling refinishing using the same method used by plaster artisans
Ceiling refinishing using the same method used by plaster artisans
During the ceiling refinishing process a mud compound is applied
During the ceiling refinishing process a mud compound is applied

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last step is sanding. Our method of applying the compound is so precise that the ceilings don’t really need much sanding at all. Just a light sanding and the finished product is revealed: a smooth, flawless surface.

 

Ceiling refinishing and repair in Vancouver
Ceiling refinishing and repair in Vancouver
Refinished ceilings with potlights in Vancouver
Refinished ceilings with potlights in Vancouver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Immediately Regret This Decision

A North Vancouver homeowner called Remove Ceiling Texture after a failed DIY attempt
A North Vancouver homeowner called Remove Ceiling Texture after a failed DIY attempt

So you thought getting smooth ceilings would be easy. You armed yourself with a scraper and the same single-minded determination that wives often witness when husbands refuse to follow the IKEA directions (seriously though, you need the Rosetta Stone to figure out those Swedish hieroglyphics). You thought, “I’m a handy guy (or gal), how hard could it be?” You got up on your ladder and you began the tedious process of scraping the popcorn texture. You soon regretted this decision. Either the texture didn’t come off nicely and you’ve damaged the drywall, or the texture did come off, but then you saw that the ceilings were uneven and looked terrible.

Failed DIY ceiling texture removal attempt in North Vancouver. RCT was called to fix the ceilings.
Failed DIY ceiling texture removal attempt in North Vancouver. RCT was called to fix the ceilings.

It’s shortly after this happens that we get a lot of calls from bashful homeowners. Our name may be Remove Ceiling Texture, but only because “Remove Ceiling Texture & Refinish Ceilings & Repair Ceiling Imperfections & Fix Homeowner’s Ceiling Mistakes” makes for a pretty long domain name.

 

Instead of trying to do it yourself, contact us from the start. We provide FREE, no obligation quotes for ceiling refinishing. Call us today at 604-420-7578 or contact us here or use the form below.

 

Do your ceilings need refinishing? Contact us today for a FREE, no obligation quote!