So Why Were Popcorn Ceilings Popular, Anyway?

Everyone makes mistakes. Whether it’s Stephen Hawking or your next-door neighbor, you can be sure that everyone you come across has faced some embarrassing faux pas in their lifetimes – even if they had the best of intentions. Popcorn ceilings come to mind as a common mistake in the interior design world. Occasionally, we find ourselves looking up at the bumpy monstrosities and asking, “Why?”

But while most homeowners can’t remove them quickly enough these days, popcorn ceilings were created with the best of intentions. Here are just a few reasons why they were so popular back in the day:

• They easily covered up imperfections. The number one reason why popcorn ceilings spread across the country like wildfire is because contractors discovered the popcorn texture hid drywall dents and dings in a flash. We know very well that achieving a smooth, even surface isn’t easy; this texture helped speed up builders’ processes and added a finishing touch to every room.

• They were intended to reduce noise levels. You may have heard people refer to popcorn ceilings as “acoustic ceilings.” Builders did find that the lumpy texture helped to absorb noise within the room and heavily relied on this fact to appeal to consumers. Today, new materials are much better at creating quiet, peaceful spaces – not to mention, they’re much more attractive.
• They provided fire protection in commercial buildings. Popcorn texture wasn’t initially created with asbestos fibers. In fact, when its application became popular for commercial buildings, developers introduced asbestos to the mix as it’s a known flame retardant. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until years later that researchers discovered that asbestos has cancer-causing qualities.

Ultimately, popcorn ceilings weren’t all bad – they presented benefits to homeowners and contractors alike. Nowadays, however, we have much higher-quality materials to help make your home look beautiful and keep your family safe. Are you ready to get rid of that popcorn ceiling eyesore? Get in touch with the Orlando popcorn removal team at New Ceilings. Schedule your free consultation by calling 407-378-6040 today.