Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Boca Raton, FL
Many of Boca Raton's older homes — particularly in East Boca neighborhoods built in the 1970s through 1990s — still have original popcorn ceilings that date and flatten the look of otherwise well-maintained interiors. KB Painting & Refinishing removes popcorn texture, skim-coats to a smooth or knockdown finish, and primes and paints the ceiling as part of a complete process, all performed by our own crews.
Local insight
Homes built in Boca Raton before 1979 may have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos — a common additive used nationally before it was phased out. We test for asbestos before any removal and refer to a licensed abatement contractor if the test is positive, so the project is handled correctly from the start.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Boca Raton
Popcorn ceilings were a standard finish in Florida tract homes built between the late 1960s and early 1990s — which means a large share of East Boca and older Intracoastal-area homes still have them. Buyers, interior designers, and anyone who has updated their lighting or crown molding knows how much a smooth or lightly textured ceiling changes the feel of a room. Removal is a messy, time-consuming process done wrong, but our crews handle it efficiently with full floor and furniture protection.
The process
We wet the texture to soften it, scrape the ceiling clean, and inspect for any drywall damage or tape seams that surfaced during scraping. Any damage is patched and feathered before we apply a skim coat to level the surface. Depending on your preference, we can leave the ceiling smooth, apply a light orange-peel or knockdown texture, or match the texture found elsewhere in the home. We finish with a primer coat and two coats of ceiling paint.
Asbestos in older Boca Raton homes
Popcorn texture applied before 1980 may contain chrysotile asbestos, which was widely used as a binder in spray texture products. If your Boca Raton home was built before 1979, we recommend testing before removal begins. We can arrange testing through a licensed South Florida inspector — if the result is positive, we coordinate with a licensed abatement contractor to remove the material safely before we come in for the finishing work.
What’s included
Full room preparation including floor protection and furniture moving, wet scraping, surface repair, skim coat, prime coat, and two finish coats of ceiling paint. We match the final sheen to adjacent surfaces or leave the ceiling flat per your preference.
Questions Boca Raton homeowners ask
My East Boca home was built in 1984. Do I need asbestos testing before popcorn removal? Technically the risk drops significantly for homes built after the late 1970s, but the safest approach for any home built before the mid-1980s is to test first. Testing is inexpensive and takes a few days to return results. We build that step into our project timeline so it doesn’t slow things down unnecessarily.
Can you match the ceiling texture in rooms that don’t have popcorn to the rooms that do after removal? Yes — this is one of the most common requests in Boca Raton homes where only some rooms were done in popcorn. We texture-match by hand or with spray equipment to the existing finish in adjacent rooms, then prime and paint everything to a consistent finish. The transition is seamless.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal — before & after
What Boca Raton neighbors say
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Common questions
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost in South Florida?
Cost depends on ceiling height, square footage, and condition. Single-story rooms are straightforward; vaulted or two-story ceilings take more setup time. Pre-1980 homes may also require asbestos testing before we can begin — we'll flag that during your free written estimate so there are no surprises.
How long does the process take for a typical home?
Most single-family homes in the 1,500–2,500 sq ft range take two to three days: one day for scraping and drying, one to two days for skim-coating and sanding. High humidity in South Florida means we allow extra dry time between coats rather than rushing — that patience is what keeps the finish from cracking later.
Will the new ceiling hold up in Florida's humidity and heat?
Yes, when it's done correctly. We use moisture-resistant joint compounds suited to South Florida's climate, and we prime with Sherwin-Williams products before any topcoat. Our 5-year workmanship warranty covers the finished ceiling, so if anything shifts or cracks due to our work, we come back and make it right.
