How to Texturize a Ceiling When Painting

Ceiling painting usually looks difficult because of its location. However, texture painting your ceiling is more difficult than a normal painting job so you do not have to be an acrobat master to do it. Admittedly, texturing the ceiling can be tiring but the result would be well worth it. Before you start on the job though, make sure that you have the necessary protective clothing such as safety goggles and gloves. Because of its position, you should also be wearing a face mask and a hair covering.  Here is how you can make a textured ceiling to enhance to look of a room in your house.

Step 1 – Getting Your Materials

Before beginning the project, make sure that you have purchased a large container of joint compound for drywall that has been pre-mixed. This could be bought from a local home improvement or hardware store. You should also be ready with a wide-bladed knife for taping or a trowel that is from 8 to 12 inches in width. This would be used for thinning the joint compound on the ceiling. If you are going for a rough look, you can spread the compound by hands.

Step 2 – Getting the Room Ready

Remove as many of the furniture on the room as you can. If there are peeling and loose paint on the ceiling, remove them. Dirt and grease that accumulated on the ceiling can be washed off using a mild detergent and water. If there is a need to repair anything on the ceiling with masonry or plaster, you have to allow the material to cure completely for 30 days before doing the priming. If there is any furniture that remains, cover them along with the floor with drop cloths.

Step 3 – Stripping Wallpapers

If there are strips of wallpapers on the ceiling, you have to take them off rather than texturing over them. This is because the drywall compound has a high content of moisture, which would make the paper to peel off. Clearing the mess that results would be very time consuming. You should be able to make the drywall compound adhere to the surface without a hitch.

Step 4 – Edging the Ceiling

Start the project by laying a thin coating of the drywall compound along the edges of the entire ceiling. Each layer should only be about an eighth of an inch but if you want the texture to be very rough, apply a thicker coating of the compound. You do not have to make each application exact as you are trying to create a varied texture.

Step 5 – Making the Textures

You can create the texture that you like by using a variety of tools such as a wall paper brush and old paintbrushes. You can also create swirls and strokes on the wet surface with the use of a sponge. All kinds of designs can be made with your fingers as well but if you like to have pre-created designs, you have to make use of a stencil.

Step 6 – Texturing the Rest of the Ceiling

To cover the entire ceiling with textured paint, apply the drywall compound alternately with texturing.