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How to Paint Textured Walls and Ceilings

15 Sep 2022 Painting Services

When it comes to interior painting projects, most homeowners will need to contend with at least one textured surface in their home. While many homes feature a textured popcorn ceiling, others may feature a textured accent wall or other difficult surfaces. Though textured surfaces can be sprayed, brushed, or rolled like a smooth surface, there are several considerations to keep in mind during the job to ensure optimal results. As a leading provider of quality interior painting solutions, the team at Dunbar Painting knows that textured walls and ceilings can be difficult to handle. That is why they have compiled some information to help you understand how to paint textured walls and ceilings. With this information, you can determine if this is a project you can handle on your own or if it is best left to a professional.

Read our tips for effective paint removal.

3 Considerations When Painting Textured Walls and Ceilings

When painting textured surfaces throughout your home, it is crucial to keep the following considerations in mind:

1. Clean the Surfaces That Will be Painted, Cover the Rest

Proper cleaning and masking are vital for every painting project, and painting textured surfaces is no exception. Start by thoroughly cleaning every textured surface that needs to be painted. This will likely require some additional time and effort, as the textured grooves of these surfaces can accumulate dust, dirt, and other debris while making cleaning more difficult. Once these surfaces are clean, mask and cover other surfaces with painter’s tape and plastic covers as needed. It is important to note that textured surfaces will often require the use of specialized painter’s tape that requires a two-step process, so be sure to keep this in mind.

2. You Will Likely Need More Paint

To ensure full coverage, textured surfaces will often require additional paint compared to flat surfaces due to the additional ridges. This means that you will need to purchase more paint and primer than usual, especially if painting multiple surfaces throughout your home. In most cases, it is recommended to purchase twice the amount of product as you would for untextured surfaces.

3. Check to See if Your Ceiling is Painted or Unpainted

If you will be painting your popcorn ceiling, it is crucial to determine if it is painted or unpainted. This can be determined by running your fingers over the surface. If the popcorn crumbles or flakes as you do this, it is unpainted. If you are dealing with an unpainted ceiling, it is important to note that these surfaces are always risky to paint as the popcorn can fall apart when using a roller or start peeling due to moisture after the job is done. While certain paint products can produce good results, it is often best to leave these surfaces as they are or remove the popcorn texture before painting.

To learn more about their interior and exterior painting services or to discuss the details of your project, get in touch with the team at Dunbar Painting.