Scrape, Skim and Refinish to Smooth
We wet the texture, scrape it off, repair the gouges and exposed joints, then apply two skim coats and sand to a Level 5 finish. This keeps full ceiling height and gives a truly flat result.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Kingston, ON
Popcorn and Stipple Ceiling Removal in Kingston
Dated, yellowed stipple is one of the most common reasons Kingston homeowners call Kingston Drywall. We remove popcorn and stipple ceilings and refinish them smooth in houses, condos and rental units across the Kingston area.
In more than 20 years and over 2,500 jobs we have scraped, skimmed and boarded over a lot of textured ceilings. The work that matters most happens before scraping starts: testing, containment and a plan for the finish.
Our crew is licensed, insured, WSIB covered and WHMIS trained. We will not disturb an untested ceiling installed before 1990, because your family's health matters more than the schedule.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Same ceiling, three names
Stipple, Stucco or Popcorn, It Is the Same Ceiling
In Ontario most people call it a stipple ceiling or a stucco ceiling. Most online guides use the American name, popcorn ceiling, and some call it an acoustic or cottage cheese ceiling.
All of these describe the same thing: a sprayed texture of compound and aggregate applied to hide joints and dampen sound. Whatever you call it, the removal process is the same.
Want to keep the texture and just fix a damaged section? That is a different job, covered on our textured ceiling repair page.
Safety first
Asbestos Testing Comes First on Any Pre-1990 Ceiling
Textured ceiling products sold before the mid-1980s can contain asbestos, and older stock was used on some jobs after that. Disturbing asbestos-containing material in Ontario is regulated work under O. Reg. 278/05.
Before we scrape a ceiling from that era, a small sample must be tested by an accredited laboratory. Results usually come back within a few business days.
- Negative result: we book the removal and proceed with normal containment.
- Positive result: removal must be done by a qualified asbestos abatement contractor. We can refinish afterwards, or board over the ceiling where that is permitted and makes sense.
- No test: we will not scrape it. Covering the ceiling may still be an option.
We can point you to accredited labs and abatement contractors in the Kingston area.
Never dry-scrape a textured ceiling from before 1990 yourself. Test first. A sample costs far less than cleaning up contaminated dust.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
Options
Two Ways to Get Rid of a Textured Ceiling
There are two proper methods, plus a combined job that saves a second round of dust.
Board Over the Existing Ceiling
New 1/4 in. or 3/8 in. board is fastened over the old ceiling, sometimes on strapping. It is faster and avoids scraping dust, but it lowers the ceiling slightly and needs light boxes extended.
Removing Texture and Adding Pot Lights in One Visit
If you are adding pot lights, have your electrician cut them in after scraping and before our skim coats. One finishing pass covers everything. Old openings are handled by our pot light hole repair service.
Protecting your home
Containment and Dust Control in an Occupied Home
The unspoken worry is always the same: how much of my house will be covered in dust? The answer should be none of it outside the work room.
We cover walls and floors with poly, seal doorways with zip doors and cover vents so dust cannot travel through the ductwork. Where the job warrants it we set up negative air with a HEPA air scrubber.
Scraped texture is bagged on the plastic, and the room is HEPA vacuumed before the plastic comes down.
Pricing
Stipple Ceiling Removal Cost in Kingston
We quote per square foot of ceiling, or as a price per room for typical bedrooms and living rooms. These factors make the biggest difference.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Painted or unpainted texture | Paint seals the texture so water cannot soften it. Painted stipple is much harder to scrape and often needs more skim coating. |
| Asbestos result | A positive result means abatement by a specialist first, which changes the cost and schedule. |
| Ceiling height and stairwells | High ceilings and open stairwells need scaffold or staging. |
| Room contents | Furniture left in the room needs extra protection and moving. |
| Pot lights and fixtures | Old openings to patch and new fixtures to finish around. |
| Finish level | We finish to Level 5 by default so the ceiling holds up under light. |
FAQ
Popcorn Ceiling Removal FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
How much does it cost to remove a stipple ceiling?
It is priced per square foot and depends mostly on whether the texture is painted, the asbestos test result and ceiling height. Send photos and room sizes and we will give you a firm written quote after a quick visit.
Do all old popcorn ceilings contain asbestos?
No. Many do not, but you cannot tell by looking. Only a lab test can confirm it, which is why we test any ceiling installed before 1990.
How long does a stipple ceiling removal take per room?
A typical bedroom takes two to three days. That covers containment and scraping, then skim coats that must dry between applications, then sanding and clean-up.
Can I stay in the house during the work?
Yes, for tested, asbestos-free ceilings. The work room is sealed off and the rest of the house stays usable.
Is it cheaper to cover the ceiling instead of scraping it?
Sometimes, especially when the texture is painted or the ceiling is badly damaged. We will price both options when it is a close call.
Why does painted stipple cost more to remove?
Water has to soak into the texture to soften it. Paint blocks the water, so the texture has to be scraped harder, which gouges the board and needs more repair and skim coating afterwards.
Will my ceiling be smooth enough for gloss paint after?
Yes. We finish to Level 5, which is the standard for gloss and satin finishes and for rooms with strong side light.
Related services and areas
After the Texture Comes Down
Scraping often uncovers cracks, stains or loose joints. Our ceiling repair and taping and finishing teams handle those as part of the same job.
Stipple ceilings are everywhere in the 1970s and 1980s homes of Amherstview and Napanee, and we remove them there regularly.
Free written quote Prefer to talk it through? Call us (343) 504-7975
Book a Stipple Ceiling Removal Estimate
Send room sizes, a photo of each ceiling and the year your home was built. If you already have an asbestos test result, include it.
We will confirm whether testing is needed and give you a written quote for scraping or boarding over.
- Hours
- Mon to Sat: 7:00am to 9:30pm
- Sun: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Service area
- Kingston and towns within about 45 minutes, plus larger projects further afield.
- Licensed
- Fully insured
- WSIB covered
- WHMIS trained
- Working at Heights trained
- Drywall specialists