Types of Ceiling Finishes

7 Types of Ceiling Finishes

1. Flat/Smooth
2. Swirled
3. Knockdown
4. Orange Peel
5. Skip Trowel
6. Dropped 
7. Popcorn

Flat/Smooth: $1-$2 Per Sq. Ft.

The most common type of ceiling finish is flat or smoothed ceilings. There’s nothing special to a flat or smooth ceiling, but that’s exactly the point for many people. If your home already follows a minimalistic design style, this is a great way to emphasize that and shift focus to the more important parts of your decor.

The great thing about flat ceilings is that they are highly universal. You don’t need to follow a particular design style in your home to make a smooth ceiling a suitable choice. Just make sure that you invest in high-quality work when ordering this type of finish. The main problem with a smooth ceiling finish is that small mistakes can be very obvious.

How to Apply Flat/Smooth Ceiling Texture?

1. Prepare the wall by clearing the area, repairing imperfections, and applying primer.
2. Mix the texture compound according to manufacturer instructions.
3. Apply the texture using a roller or trowel in small sections, working from top to bottom.
4. Smooth out the texture with a drywall knife or trowel for a flat finish.
5. Allow the texture to dry completely before painting or applying additional coats.

Swirled: $1-$2 Per Sq. Ft.

Another one of the most popular types of ceiling finishes is swirled ceilings. Some people associate swirled ceilings with outdated interior designs, but that’s far from the case. Swirled ceilings have a unique appeal that can fit certain interior styles very well. It’s not easy to implement either – in fact, it’s one of the easiest types of ceiling finishes out there. This makes its price more attractive compared to most alternative options as well.

So if you’re looking for something affordable that can easily match the design of your house, no matter if it’s old or new, look no further. As a bonus, you won’t have to search long to find a contractor who can handle this type of ceiling, as it’s pretty popular on the market.

How to Apply Swirled Ceiling Texture?

1. Prepare the ceiling by clearing the area and covering the floor with protective material.
2. Mix the texture compound to the desired consistency as per the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Apply the texture in a swirling motion using a trowel or specialized texture brush.
4. Maintain a consistent swirling pattern across the entire ceiling surface.
5. Allow the texture to dry completely before painting or further finishing.

Knockdown: $1-$2 Per Sq. Ft.

If you are drawn to rougher textures and want to have more variety on your ceiling, a knockdown finish may be what you need. This type of ceiling finish features an unevenly distributed texture with a lot of topographic variety. It’s not difficult to create either, although it should be done by a contractor with specific experience in that area.

How to Apply Knockdown Ceiling Texture?

The contractor applies the material to the ceiling unevenly, allowing it to drip down. This process creates small structures on the ceiling surface. After some time, these structures are removed, revealing the underlying pattern. The resulting pattern can have interesting and unusual shapes

Orange Peel: $1-$2 Per Sq. Ft

Orange peel ceiling finishes get their name from their characteristic appearance, which resembles the texture of an orange. This finish is created by spraying an appropriate material onto the ceiling and spreading it around in uneven patterns. The process is somewhat similar to the one behind knockdown ceilings, but less material is used, and nothing is scraped off afterward.

The final result is a ceiling that looks like it’s been randomly covered with bits of the corresponding material. This goes great with painted ceilings and unusual lighting. The right combination can create fascinating shading effects that will immediately make your ceiling stand out.

How to Apply Orange Peel Ceiling Texture?

1. Prepare the area and mix the texture compound according to instructions.
2. Apply the orange peel texture evenly across the ceiling using a spray gun or roller.
3. Allow the texture to set for a few minutes.
4. Use a drywall knife to lightly skim over the texture to create the desired effect. 
5. Allow the texture to dry completely before painting or finishing.

Skip Trowel: $1-$2 Per Sq. Ft.

Skip trowel ceilings are a bit similar to knockdown finishes. The main difference is in how the material is applied and distributed across the ceiling. Typically, less material is used to avoid dripping. The ceiling is then finished by smearing the compound around until the whole ceiling has a randomized look.

Some people love skip trowel finishes, while others are very much against them. It comes down to personal preference, but it’s important to note that this type of finish goes very well with more advanced decoration.

How to Apply Skip Trowel Ceiling Texture?

1. Prepare the area and mix the texture compound according to instructions.
2. Apply the skip trowel texture to the ceiling using a trowel. 
3. Hold the trowel at a slight angle and lightly skim it across the surface in random patterns.
4. Allow the texture to set for a few minutes.
5. Optionally, use a drywall knife or sandpaper to smooth out any rough areas

Dropped: $1000-$3000 Per Room

A dropped ceiling allows you to combine a bold design statement with convenient functionality. Part of the ceiling is recessed, allowing you to conceal things like wiring and other structural elements that should not be visible. This makes this type of ceiling perfect for lighting and other fixtures.

Dropped ceilings require more planning and additional work from your contractors, but the final result is well worth it if you have the right type of interior design.

How to Apply Dropped Ceiling Texture?

1. Prepare the area by clearing it and covering the floor with protective material.
2. Mix the dropped ceiling texture compound according to manufacturer instructions.
3. Apply the texture to the ceiling using a spray gun or roller.
4. Create the dropped effect by varying the pressure and distance of the application.
5. Allow the texture to dry completely before proceeding with painting or further finishing.

Popcorn: $1-$2 Per Sq. Ft.

Popcorn ceilings resemble orange peel finishes, but the texture is coarser and more evenly distributed. This is a popular ceiling finish in low-cost homes due to its simplicity and availability. But unfortunately, it also comes with some negative associations for the same reason. Don’t let that discourage you, though.

If you believe your home is a good fit for a popcorn ceiling finish, don’t be afraid to experiment with the idea, especially if you plan on painting it.

How to Apply Popcorn Ceiling Texture?

1. Prepare the area by clearing it and covering the floor with protective material.
2. Mix the popcorn ceiling texture compound according to manufacturer instructions.
3. Apply the texture to the ceiling using a specialized texture sprayer.
4. Ensure even coverage across the entire ceiling surface.
5. Allow the texture to dry completely before painting or further finishing.

Ceiling Finishes Comparison

Ceiling Finishes Bottom Line

Choosing the perfect ceiling finish for your home can take a while, but it’s worth the extra effort if you want to give your home a more finished look. While the universal smooth ceiling finish is generally a suitable option for most homes, there are many more exciting designs you can explore. Popcorn, smooth, skip trowel, orange peel, swirled, and knockdown, are among the cheapest ceiling textures out there. You can transform your room for very cheap prices, adding a unique character to your room.