How to Texture a Ceiling

Have you ever wondered how the textured ceilings are done? I have done a lot of them, and it is really easy to do, messy, but easy. You don't have to be an expert to get this job done. First you need to know what kind of pattern you want to do. There are a lot of different patterns, and I'll explain a couple of them.

What you will need:

A thick nap roller cover, roller handle and extension. A large paint mixer and drill to mix the texture (this can be purchased at a paint store or home improvement center). Drop cloths or plastic to cover the floor. A bucket of water to thin the texture and clean up. A stipple brush or a texture roller.

Remove everything from the room, and cover the floor with drop cloths or plastic. I recommend drop cloths because the plastic will become slippery, but use your own judgment. Remove the light fixture and anything else attached to the ceiling.

If you have a painted ceiling, you first have to prime the entire ceiling. This is the most important step. If this step is skipped, your texture won't stick to the paint, and might crack, or even fall off in chunks after it dries. I like to wait twenty-four hours after priming before applying the texture.

The texture I use, is called topping compound. This is used for drywall finishing, and is really inexpensive. This can be mixed to a thinner consistency by adding a little water, about one quart per five gallons of topping compound. Mix until smooth, and using a paint roller with a thick nap cover, roll only about one fourth of the room, going in one direction. If the texture won't stick to the roller, use a little more water. After the texture is applied, roll across the applied texture the other direction. This will ensure a more uniform coverage. At this point you will be applying the pattern.