Professional Popcorn Ceiling Removal Services
1,000+ Projects
Completed across Chicagoland
Licensed & Insured
Full coverage protection
Safe Process
Pre-1980 home expertise
Dust-Free
Contained work area
Complete Popcorn Ceiling Removal Service
Popcorn (acoustic) ceilings were popular decades ago, but today they make homes look dated and can harbor dust and cobwebs. Our team specializes in safely removing that bumpy texture to reveal the smooth ceiling underneath or apply a modern texture of your choice. The transformation is dramatic.
We take extensive measures to prep each room with plastic sheeting on all furniture and flooring. We seal off doorways and vents to contain dust. For homes built before 1980, we can facilitate asbestos testing first. Our wet-scraping technique significantly reduces dust, followed by skim-coating for a perfectly smooth finish and professional painting.
What's Included
- Complete room protection with plastic sheeting
- Wet-scraping technique for dust control
- Ceiling skim-coating for smooth finish
- Priming and two coats of ceiling paint
- Light fixture reinstallation
- Thorough cleanup and debris removal
Ideal For
- Homeowners modernizing older homes
- Pre-sale home improvement
- Water-damaged ceiling restoration
Pair This Service With
Complete your ceiling transformation with these complementary services from Z&Z Painting.
Interior Painting
While we're working on ceilings, it's the perfect time to repaint walls for a complete room transformation. Bundle and save on your full room refresh.
Learn More
Drywall Repair
If your popcorn ceiling hides damage or uneven surfaces, our drywall team ensures flawless results before the final smooth finish is applied.
Learn MorePopcorn Ceiling Removal for a Modern, Clean Look
That bumpy popcorn texture was standard in homes built from the 1960s through the 1980s, and removing it is one of the fastest ways to modernize a room. We've scraped and smoothed ceilings throughout Northbrook ranch homes and two-story colonials in Wilmette . Split-level homes in Western Springs and La Grange are prime candidates for this upgrade, and we also handle popcorn removal as part of larger renovation projects in Highland Park . After scraping, we skim-coat the surface for a perfectly smooth finish ready for paint.
Let's Modernize Your Ceilings
Schedule your free consultation today. We'll assess your ceilings and provide a detailed quote.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal FAQs
Common questions about our services
The only way to know for sure is laboratory testing of a small sample. Asbestos was commonly used in popcorn ceilings until banned around 1978. Homes built between the 1950s and late seventies may contain asbestos. We can facilitate testing—results typically come back in a day or two.
Yes, alternatives include installing new drywall over the popcorn or skim-coating directly over it. Drywall overlay seals in the popcorn (good for asbestos concerns) but lowers the ceiling slightly. We find outright removal and skim-coating is often the cleaner solution.
It makes your home more attractive to buyers and can sell faster since it eliminates a negative that could turn off buyers. Many real estate agents say homes with smooth ceilings show better. It modernizes your space and you enjoy the benefit while you live there.
Professional popcorn removal in Chicago might range around $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot for removal and basic finishing. A 200 sq ft room might be roughly $300-$600. If asbestos is present, costs increase due to extra precautions. Our quote includes everything—protection, removal, skim-coating, and painting.
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