About Acoustic Popcorn Ceilings
In the 1980s and earlier, acoustic popcorn ceilings were one of the most popular ceiling materials used in homes. They were cheap to install and required very little skill. They were also known for their ability to deaden sound transmission between upper and lower floors, so they were very popular in multistory homes. Today, these ceilings are not commonly installed in new homes, as better and not so highly visible insulation and sound blocking methods have been discovered. In addition, many people who have these ceilings in their homes are covering them up or removing them to update their home's appearance.
History
Up until World War II, ceilings in American homes were mainly composed of plaster, a compound made up of Portland cement, water and lime. It was eventually replaced by drywall, which reigned supreme until the 1960s. During the '60s, contractors began to use a product known as "popcorn ceilings." Made of chalk, clay and water, these ceilings were sprayed into place and left a cottage cheeselike finish. This trend was popular until the early 1980s when it began to die out.
Benefits
The main benefit of popcorn ceilings is their ability to block noise between floors of a house. They were very useful for bedrooms and family rooms to keep noise in and keep other rooms in the home quiet. In addition, they were very easy to install and required little training or knowledge. Popcorn ceilings by their very nature are slightly sloppy, and are great for covering up cracking or damaged drywall and plaster underneath.
Effects
While these ceilings became standard during the 1960s and '70s, today they make a home look dated, and many people are quick to replace them. They are also difficult to clean because of their texture. While washing them, you will find that bits of the ceiling will wash away, too. Because they are unattractive and hard to maintain, they tend to lower the value of the home. Before selling, many homeowners will remove these ceilings or cover them up with paneling or drywall.
Warning
One of the main worries about these ceilings is that, like many building products during the same time period, they contained asbestos. Asbestos were fibers used in tiles, adhesives and insulation that are now known to cause lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses when inhaled. If you have one of these ceilings in your home that was installed before 1980, it is critical that you have it tested for asbestos before attempting to remove it.
Misconceptions
When many people hear about the asbestos common in these ceilings, they feel that it's critical to remove them right away. While the style be unattractive to many, there are some that have popcorn ceilings in their homes and enjoy them. If you're one of them, don't worry that they may contain harmful asbestos. Asbestos is only harmful when it becomes airborne. This means you have to sand, cut or attempt to remove the popcorn ceiling before it can become harmful. If you have one in your home, even if it contains asbestos, there's no reason to remove it if you're happy with it.
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