What Affects the Cost of a New Ceiling Texture or Finish

The finish you choose has the biggest effect on what a new ceiling texture costs. A smooth ceiling costs the most, because it takes the most skim coating and sanding to get flat. Knockdown and orange peel cost less, because texture hides small flaws and takes less finishing. After that, the cost depends on how much ceiling there is, its height and condition, and whether old popcorn has to come off first.

Ceiling texture cost by finish

• Smooth. The whole ceiling is skim coated, sometimes more than once, and sanded until light from the windows doesn't show waves or seams. That's the most labor of any finish. See the levels of drywall finish.
• Knockdown. Compound is sprayed on and flattened with a wide knife as it sets. Knockdown covers small imperfections well and takes less prep than smooth.
• Orange peel. A fine spray texture that looks like the skin of an orange. Like knockdown, orange peel is forgiving of minor flaws.
• Skip trowel and other hand textures. Applied by hand with a trowel, so the cost depends on the pattern and the time it takes. See skip trowel ceilings.

Other things that affect the price

• Square footage. More ceiling means more material and time. Doing several rooms at once is usually more efficient than one room at a time.
• Ceiling height. Vaulted and two-story ceilings need taller ladders or scaffolding and take longer.
• Condition. Cracks, nail pops, water stains and sagging drywall are repaired before the new finish goes on.
• Popcorn removal. If the ceiling has popcorn, it comes off first, and painted popcorn takes longer to remove. See removing painted popcorn.
• Prime and paint. The new finish is primed and painted, and that's part of the total.

Choosing a ceiling finish for your budget

If you want a modern look and the most light in the room, smooth is worth it. If you want a clean, updated ceiling for less, a light knockdown or orange peel is a good middle ground. Our article on smooth vs. textured ceilings compares them in more detail.

Ceiling texture in Orlando

New Ceilings applies smooth, knockdown, orange peel and skip trowel ceilings across Orlando and Central Florida. Send a photo or call for a free written quote, with a clear price and no money down. See ceiling and wall texture.