A newly textured ceiling is a ceiling that has had some type of application applied to it, like a spraytex and/or knockdown ceiling, in most cases. When it is applied, it typically looks so good it appears to be a finished product. But is it a finished product? It is a bit of both, I would say. We really need to talk about this further, however, to understand just what it is.
So, do you really need to paint new textured ceilings? Yes, you should paint newly textured ceilings. There are times when these ceilings are not painted. Typically, new home construction spray paints (primer) the ceiling before texture is applied.
This is a great question and I am guessing the majority of homeowners have no idea what the answer is. Ultimately, it is the home-owners decision whether to paint or not. There is both good reason to paint and also to not bother painting a newly textured ceiling. In this article, I will take a look at both sides of this decision, covering what you need to know.
Why Should You Paint a Newly Textured Ceiling?
A newly textured ceiling is a spraytex or usually some sort of a knockdown material which resembles drywall mud. This material, by nature, is not a finished product. Leaving it unpainted is the equivalent to mudding drywall, sanding it then leaving it as is without painting. Over time, if left untreated, it could turn yellow or have floating debris or dust stuck to it.
On a wall it would be more prevalent because walls get touched, knocked and wiped often, so the mud would be discolored and just a mess. A ceiling, on the other hand, is not rubbed against or knocked into. Ceilings will absorb smoke and other things floating in the air but it will take longer and be less noticeable.
If the ceiling does start to take on a yellowish hue, then what? Well, if you haven’t painted it, you can’t really wiped it off now can you? If you don’t know the answer then no, you can’t wipe it because the texture is not a finished product and will end up with embedded streaks from where you trying to wipe it. A durable paint, on the other hand, will help to prevent this if you have to wipe it down for any reason.
So, why should you paint a newly textured ceiling?
- Painting seals the texture from discoloration as well as making the product more durable, if by chance it was ever rubbed against. This means you can clean the ceiling if need be. It also protects against moisture in the air.
- Another reason is that even though the ceiling seems so bright and white when unfinished, if it’s painted you might enjoy the white paint color even more. Over time, the unpainted ceiling will turn color where a painted ceiling will stay the color of the paint.
- Wiping dust off the ceiling is much easier when painted. If the ceiling is unpainted when you try to wipe off dust, it will rub right into the texture making it look worse.
So, there you have it. Painting a newly textured ceiling will provide protection to that area and make a difference when trying to clean, not to mention just look better.
Let’s look at some more questions that often come up about this topic.
How Long after Texturing Ceiling Can I Paint?
I would wait until the ceiling looks about as bright white, as it’s going to get or about 48 hours. When mudding drywall, the waiting time is approximately 24 hours before the next coat should be applied or for sanding the finish coat.
How to Paint a Textured Ceiling
You have a couple of options for painting a textured ceiling. You can use either a sprayer or a roller.
- Most people just don’t have paint sprayers and maybe the cost of renting one is not in your budget. If you do use a paint sprayer, be aware that you will have to cover walls and flooring before you spray. Spraying is a quick and efficient way of covering the ceiling, however, it does take a lot of prep work.
- Using a roller is what most ‘do it yourself’ hobbyists will use. The most important item to have for going this route is a thicker matt roller. Make sure the matt of your roller is at least ⅜” thick. Using a ¼” might not get the job done. If you want to get as much paint as possible on the ceiling, you could use a ¾” thick matt roller however for most applications the ⅜” should suffice.
- Another handy tool to use in conjunction with your roller is a painter’s extension pole. Use this so you can reach the ceiling without using a ladder.
When applying the paint, watch out for lines in the paint from the edge of the roller. If you don’t fix this, it will stand out like a sore thumb. I find to get a nice coat of paint on the ceiling, you should roll the paint across the way you rolled it on for the first coat. Two coats should be enough. Don’t be chintzy with the paint.
What Kind of Paint Do You Use On a Textured Ceiling?
When you go to your local paint store, you will be amazed at all the ceiling paint selections there are. The one thing mostly all of them will have in common is they are a flat latex paint. As well, the color will be white.
I have seen some people use a new drywall primer in place of ceiling paint which works okay, but is not the best solution. New drywall primer still needs a coat of finish paint on top.
Do You Have to Paint Knock-Down Ceiling?
Knock down ceiling is a form of textured ceiling so yes, I would recommend it.
Mind you, most new home builders don’t paint these ceilings because the drywall was primed heavily. This doesn’t mean it is okay to leave it. As with everything explained previously, it should be painted.
Can I Paint My Ceiling with Just Primer?
I just mentioned this a couple of points above. Technically, you can paint with primer sure but you should use a paint specifically made as a finished product for the ceiling as is ceiling paint.
If you just need something for the time being then yes, use primer but you should eventually come back to it and apply a ceiling paint. This will provide you with the best surface protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, what is important to know is you should paint a newly textured ceiling.
New home builders typically don’t do this, as the painters will have primed the drywall underneath. This saves the builder time and money. On the other hand, you could let it slide for a while and paint it at a later date.
If you never paint the ceiling, eventually, over time, it will start to turn a yellowish color, especially if there are smokers in the house. It might be hard to notice at first because the change will happen slowly. Be aware, however, that is happening and will be noticeable once the ceiling finally gets painted. Good luck!
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