I’m looking for ideas (and possible help) for redoing ugly ceilings!

Kri15992633
by Kri15992633

I have horrible ceilings and am taking down the pattern squares. Any great ideas for leveling things or adding texture that is pleasing?

Scraping off square by square

5 rooms of THIS ceiling!icon

  10 answers
  • M E M E on Jul 09, 2018

    Why not painted or stained breadboard. Depending on how firmly attached those squares are, you might be able to go right over it.


    https://www.diynetwork.com/videos/installing-a-beadboard-ceiling-0148409

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jul 09, 2018

    We put up those polystyrene ceiling tiles and I love it. It was super easy to do and you can paint them afterwards too

  • Swinnen Lisette Swinnen Lisette on Jul 09, 2018

    What kind of tiles are they and do you know what's behind it? I see that your ceiling is low (barely a inch above the door?)

  • Julie  McCuiston Julie McCuiston on Jul 09, 2018

    Maybe just paint it all white? Or using this option....https://youtu.be/oxN9i8-2vgA

  • Eloise Eloise on Jul 10, 2018

    There are videos on YouTube that seem to address a part of your question: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=redo+ceiling+texture

  • Find out what is underneath? I want to suggest just installing breadboard or tin tiles right over, but your ceilings seem low? Check fire code before using the foam tiles. Many insurers have exclusions if you use them.

  • Jlnatty Jlnatty on Jul 10, 2018

    Why take it off at all? Just cover over it. I think the beadboard panelling you can buy at big box stores would be the easiest fix; beats nailing on individual boards if you want a wood look. Beadboard gives an antique look without the fuss. I've also seen gorgeous ceilings online created with polystyrene paintable panels. It depends what your money budget is and your time budget for installing.

  • Joanne lueke Joanne lueke on Jul 10, 2018

    If you have 5 rooms of this ceiling (omg) I would just paint over it all in a flat white ceiling paint. The pattern would still be there but it would be much less noticeable. Fill in the areas where you have removed any of the tiles with joint compound and when dry prime with a good stain blocking primer and paint. Best wishes!

  • Twyla J Boyer Twyla J Boyer on Jul 18, 2018

    I used Fasade panels as my backsplash. Took less than an evening. product looks fantastic, cuts with a utility knife, hides any uneven surface, and is applied with either liquid nails type adhesive or (as in my case) the double stick foam tape sold with the product. (here's a link: http://fasadeideas.com/ceiling/)


    That said, The texture of those ceilings isn't so bad. Just use a good quality paint and primer in one and paint them bright white. They texture will all but disappear and you won't have to take down a thing.

  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Aug 04, 2018

    Because of the mismatchings on your walls: industrial Brick, other, drywall, to really do this right and have a maintained degree of uniformity throughout the Home, you need to investigate each of the 5 rooms, to answer:

    Q. What is beneath this tile?

    Q. What inspired such a bulk purchase of tile?

    I say this as: there may be mold, or fungi, etc that the prior owner wanted to hide fast before sale, [rather than take care of the problem, delay sale, and structure rental revenues to imburse renovations]

    Of course when that pass along of responsibility lands on the purchaser, by Deed, you need to take care of that problem in conjunct with the Board of Health.

    So, before getting all hyped about any recommendation of:


    a replacement ceiling may consist of Foam or Tiles

    over tiles


    [which I cannot recommend, instead of using a Quality Texture Additive for Paints, to Uniform the Color all throughout as: White With Texture, after you make sure there isn't something lurking beneath those tiles]

    you need check on that health issue, to report any violations, and be sure to wear a Protective Mask when


    A. You pull back tiles to spot check these

    B. You go to the attic above to check for mold, mildew, fungus, etc.


    If all that cjecks okay, then you go ahead with Texture Paint, which will obscure the fact it was even tiled, when you apply those more heavily between the cracks.


    Be Safe.