Popcorn Ceiling Alternatives

• A number of alternatives to popcorn ceilings exist. Most are simple techniques that can be accomplished with a little practice. Once your popcorn ceiling has been removed, you can then choose a texture more suited to your style. You also have the option to go without a texture and leave the ceiling smooth. Practicing with some compound on a square piece of wood or drywall will help you determine what's possible and looks best.

Knockdown or Skip Trowel Texture

• This texture is begun one of two ways. The drywall compound is first either sprayed on with a compressor or rolled on with a paint roller and, specifically, a plastic loop roller. If you are rolling out the compound, using a plastic loop roller will help give a coat that will allow for a more attractive finished look. Using a wide trowel or drywall knife, you then lightly scrape over the sprayed texture to smooth out the bumps, giving the ceiling the look of stucco.

Variations of the Skip Trowel Texture

• The freedom of creativity is yours as the basic skip trowel technique can be enhanced or altered in any number of ways. Adding a slight swirl to the texture is one common technique. Another technique is to scrape in sections and in one direction to create a bolder pattern with the compound. Keeping a consistent texture throughout the ceiling is also important to make it look professional.

Skim Coat

• Skim coating is accomplished by smoothing on a thin layer of drywall compound, mostly to fill in cracks, which leaves a smooth and somewhat even coat over the ceiling. You can sand the compound down slightly after it has dried to increase the smoothness, or leave it alone to create the look of a plastered ceiling.

Compound Thickness and Mixtures

• Adjusting the thickness of the drywall compound will allow for different looks and techniques. Thinning the compound and applying a light coat with a compressor, for example, will allow you to create the orange peel texture. This texture has smooth, slightly raised bumps evenly dispersed across the ceiling. A common mixture is that of compound and sand. Using the skip trowel technique with this treatment will give a rougher and bolder look to the texture.

Tools

• You can get creative when selecting which tool works best for the look you want to achieve. Some looks are best achieved using a special type of brush, while others require experimenting with different types of plastering knives. The larger the knife, the better though since you'll want to cover as much area as possible to complete a room in one session. The more consistent the overall texture, the better it looks.