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The Different Types of Ceiling Texture and Ceiling Finishes You Should Know

oOne of the critical factors in how a room feels is the ceiling texture. If you want your space to feel warm and inviting, some textures will make it seem more like an old-fashioned room, while others will make it look more modern and sleek. Before choosing what type of texture you want for your ceiling, here is some information on the different types of ceiling textures and finishes. 

 

Flat ceiling texture

Flat Ceiling Texture

Also known as sheetrock or drywall ceiling texture, this flat ceiling texture uses drywall, mud, and tape. Sheetrock ceiling texture is one of the most common types of ceilings, which you will find in most modern homes. In addition, smooth ceilings are typical in most newly built homes. 

What makes this type of ceiling texture unique is its very low-profile appearance. Smooth ceilings have an entirely even surface with no visible lines or ridges.

A flat ceiling texture is perfect if you are trying to achieve a sleek, modern look in your space among types of ceiling finishes. This drywall ceiling texture is aesthetically pleasing and can help make an open space feel more closed off. 

 

Textured ceiling finishes

Textured Ceiling Finishes

Ceilings can come in a variety of colors and textures. Textured ceiling textures are great because they have a one-of-a-kind appearance that can be customized to fit your desired aesthetic.

Textured ceiling textures are also great for rooms where you need sound absorption, as the surface is typically uneven and rougher. This allows for better sound absorption. In addition, this type of ceiling finish provides a lot of depth to a room because it creates shadows.

Textured ceilings also allow you to see detail in the ceiling from certain angles. They typically come in high or low, depending on the level of depth they are trying to create. Ceiling textures with great detail will give the appearance of texture from a distance, while surfaces with low detail will not be visible from far away.

Related: How To Cover Popcorn Ceiling Without Removing It

 

Painted ceiling texture

Painted Ceiling Texture

There are a variety of painted ceiling textures, which all have different looks among types of ceiling finishes. People can do painted ceilings with either oil or acrylic paint. They are great for new homes because painting can be done on existing drywall, which means that painted ceilings don’t need costly installation.

Painted ceilings are also great for new homes because you can paint on existing drywall, which means that painted ceilings don’t need costly installation. It’s also known as drywall ceiling texture.

Painting the ceiling is also not hard to do yourself. All you have to do is measure the room’s height, get some paint, rollers, and a ladder or scaffolding!

 

Scalloped ceiling texture

Scalloped textured ceilings create a ceiling like scallops on the ocean floor. Scallop-shaped textures are great for bathrooms because they look more ornamental than other choices, such as painted or patterned ceilings.

Raised-scalloped ceilings are a unique painted ceiling texture that looks like little scoops taken out of the painted surface. They create a 3D painted ceiling effect with more depth, giving the painted ceilings a higher level of detail from far away.

 

Wooden ceiling texture

wooden Ceiling Texture

Among different types of ceiling finishes, wooden ceiling textures are great for many different spaces, including older homes, cabins, and houses that want to add charm and texture.

When wooden ceilings are used, they will create the look of wooden beams and offer acoustic benefits with sound absorption. In addition, acoustic wooden ceilings can be seen from distances away because wooden ceilings create shadows under light sources.

Wooden ceilings are easy to clean because the wood’s texture is fuzzy and rough, which prevents dirt from accumulating on the surface. Lastly, wooden ceilings provide good sound absorption when watching TV or listening to music too.

 

Tiled ceiling texture

tile ceiling textureTiled ceiling texture is also used in drop ceilings, drywall ceiling texture, and T-bar ceilings, where tiles can be changed out.

This type of ceiling texture is perfect for rooms with high ceilings and a lot of light. They create shadows from light sources, making the room appear larger and more spacious. They are also common in finished basements, and acoustic ceiling tiles are an economical way to finish a room.

Because tiles come in many colors and shapes, they can create a unique appearance and change the look of a room.

Tiled ceilings create a more traditional and natural look. As a result, they are a good option for the sheetrock ceiling texture that has become known in modern houses. Plus, you can easily install them as a home renovation project.

 

Mosaic ceiling texture

Mosaic Ceiling Texture

A mosaic ceiling texture is an intricate plastered surface that looks like a mosaic of tiles.

Mosaic ceilings are great for rooms with high ceilings because they create shadows from light sources. They give the illusion that the room is larger and more spacious.

Since mosaic ceilings come in many colors, you can make your decor personal.

 

Glossy ceiling texture

Glossy Ceiling Texture

Glossy smooth ceiling texture is very popular because of its glossy, reflective finish. They are perfect if you have a darker room without lots of light or don’t want glare in your space. Glossy ceilings have a smooth ceiling texture and reflect light. Additionally, You can use it on the drywall ceiling texture type and other flat surfaces.

They are perfect for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, or any other space you want to create an open-concept feel. You can use a smooth ceiling texture in bathrooms to make them look brighter and cleaner as well.

 

Beamed ceiling texture

Beamed Ceiling Textures

They create a beamed ceiling with wooden beams that are laid onto the ceiling. They are great for spaces with wooden floors, but they can also work in rooms without any wooden flooring.

Most beamed ceilings come in three styles: raised beams, flat beams, and splayed beams. Raised-beam ceilings create a 3D, textured look that reflects light onto the room’s walls and creates shadows.

Flat-beam ceilings provide a more uniform texture where all beams are at the same level, creating uniform shadows that lay flat on the wall. Splayed-beam ceilings mention lots of depth because they give beams different angles, so it appears like pillars. Beamed ceilings create a more traditional and natural look.

 

Exposed beam ceiling texture

Exposed Beam Ceiling Texture

Beams can be used as an additional design element to highlight and emphasize the room’s focal point.

Exposed beam ceilings are also a great way to feature a beautiful chandelier because they create a nice backdrop. In addition, they have a more contemporary design and appear less traditional or rustic. This is one of my favorite ceiling textures. 

 

Exposed ceiling texture

Exposed ceiling texture

An exposed ceiling texture is created by removing all walls and leaving concrete or bricks exposed as the finished surface of the ceiling. Exposed ceilings are perfect for high ceilings because they make rooms appear even larger and more spacious.

Since exposed ceilings have a raw, unfinished look, it creates a cozy space that is very rustic or traditional, like a cabin.

 

Plaster ceiling texture

Plaster ceiling texture

A plaster ceiling is a smooth surface made of a mix of sand, lime, and cement. Plaster ceilings are great for spaces with high ceilings because it creates shadows from light sources, which gives the room an illusion that makes it appear larger and more spacious.

Since plaster ceilings come in many colors, they can be used to create a unique design in any space.

 

Popcorn ceiling texture

popcorn Ceiling Texture

The popcorn ceiling texture has been around for decades. A popcorn ceiling is created when water or moisture gets between the drywall and ceiling, expanding and creating bumps or “popcorn” on the ceiling. Popcorn ceilings have been trendy over the past few decades because they are inexpensive to install.

 

Slap brush ceiling texture

Slap brush ceiling texture is created with plaster, water, and an adhesive. It is very popular because they make a textured or embossed surface worn or “slapped” on the ceiling. This type of ceiling texture gives a space a texture and traditional look.

They’re ideal for rooms with high ceilings because they cast shadows from light sources, making the space appear larger and more open.

Since slap-brush ceilings come in many different textures, it is easy to create a custom design in any space. They give rooms a traditional feel and appearance.

 

Spray sand ceiling texture

To create a distressed or solid color texture, you can use spray sand ceiling texture. This is achieved by spraying the walls with a primer or white paint mixed with sand and using an extruder gun to throw particles of sand at the wet paint, simulating a spray texture. This process achieves the final textured effect.

 

Swirl ceiling texture

A swirl ceiling texture is a common and popular design element in many residential and commercial spaces today. The swirl ceiling texture is achieved by laying drywall directly on the joists and then swirling or dragging bits of the joint compound across the surface (usually with an electric jitterbug).

This creates a textured finish that looks like many layers of paint.

Swirling can also be done to create a plaster look as if it has been hand-painted by an artist. You can use a swirl ceiling texture in contemporary, traditional, and other country-style décor settings.

You’ll often see these swirled ceilings in modern, contemporary, or nautical-themed rooms (1). However, they also look lovely in country home décor settings.

 

Orange peel ceiling texture

Orange Peel ceiling texture

They create an orange peel ceiling texture by applying an orange peel ceiling texture coat to the walls, leaving it to dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat. 

Usually, you’ll apply the first coat of an orange peel texture with a trowel or sponge to create an even finish. You then apply the second coat with either the sprayer or the trowel, resulting in a thicker plaster. The orange peel texture technique gives the room an uneven texture simulating an old orange peel.

You most often see the orange peel ceiling texture in traditional and contemporary home décor settings when people want to texture a ceiling on a budget.

 

Lace ceiling texture

The lace ceiling texture is beautiful with its intricate pattern of details. You can use them in many different architectural settings. Lace textures are not limited to a traditional children’s bedroom but can be seen in living rooms, dining rooms, or kitchen ceilings in a country home.

Lace ceilings provide an elegant, feminine look. The lace ceiling texture softens the eye and makes people feel relaxed, spacious, and at ease.

 

Light popcorn ceiling texture

To add an eye-catching design element and create a sophisticated, inviting atmosphere with bright pops of color, you can use light popcorn ceiling texture in any room of your home or workplace. This type of texture simulates the appearance of a popcorn ceiling and often has an added pattern of lines that give the appearance of diagonal rows, like in a cornfield.

It is more economical than other types of textured ceilings and works well for those who want to avoid spending time on messy architectural details such as cutting and taping drywall.

Light popcorn ceiling texture is particularly suitable for formal dining rooms or banquet halls where formality is a must. It also works for children’s rooms and playrooms, as it is calming and will not induce headaches like darker, traditional popcorn ceilings sometimes do.

 

Santa Fe ceiling texture

The Santa Fe ceiling texture is a type of drywall that gives the appearance of a textured ceiling painted an off-white color (2). You’ll often see it in homes or rooms with a southwestern-inspired look.

You can also find this drywall in modern-styled homes with southwestern tones. The Santa Fe ceiling texture is one of the most popular textures because it softens the eye and makes people feel relaxed, spacious, and at ease.

You can most commonly see the Santa Fe ceiling texture in living, dining, or kitchen spaces. However, you can also use the texture in children’s bedrooms because it gives the room an airy feeling that reflects innocence and playfulness.

This type of drywall finish is an excellent choice for homes styled in a modern theme. It is very high-fashion and gives the room a clean, streamlined look.

 

Fish scale ceiling texture

Fish scale ceiling texture

Unsurprisingly, fish scales are a textured ceiling finish that will give the appearance of a fish-scaled ceiling. Often, you’ll see fish-scale ceiling texture in homes with Asian, African, or Caribbean-themed architecture.

The fish scale ceiling texture is not limited to children’s bedrooms but can be seen in living rooms, dining rooms, or kitchens in country homes.

 

Layered ceiling texture

Layered Ceiling Texture

A layered ceiling texture is a drywall finish that simulates the appearance of layers. You can use this type of smooth ceiling texture for many different architectural settings. 

You’ll most often see layered ceilings done as faux ceilings because it does not require as much work. A layer ceiling finish can be applied to any room in the home or workplace.

 

Skim coat ceiling texture

Using a skim-coat ceiling texture among different types of ceiling finishes, you can achieve a comfortable atmosphere and a sense of warmth and serenity in your bedroom.

This type of finish, which is textured with a light popcorn or oak pattern, is commonly used in homes with traditional architectural design styles because it gives a room a luxurious feel. It is also popular among types of ceiling finishes for entryways, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens.

Skim-coat ceiling textures are easy to install, making them a cost-effective option for adding a quality finish to your home without investing much time in expensive drywall finishing methods.

 

Skip trowel ceiling texture

Skip trowel ceiling texture

A skip trowel texture ceiling looks like the surface of an uncut stone. You can often find the skip trowel texture type of finish in rooms with sophisticated and elegant architectural designs, such as living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens.

You can also use the skip trowel ceiling texture among types of ceiling finishes in bedrooms because it gives a room a sense of warmth and serenity. The detail of this texture may make it difficult for less experienced drywall finishers, but installation should not take much time at all for those who know what they are doing. 

 

Stipple brush ceiling texture

Stipple brush ceiling texture

You can install a stipple brush ceiling texture to create an uneven, ancient plaster-like appearance. You can achieve this by painting over the old ceiling paint with a sponge or roller, resulting in a textured appearance. People often use stipple brush ceiling textures for this purpose.

Many people choose to install them in their basement or garage due to their ability to hide imperfections and create the illusion of height.

 

Victorian ceiling texture

Victorian Ceiling Texture

You can use Victorian ceilings to give your kitchen, dining room, or living space an expensive feel without costing too much to install. These ceilings, often seen in homes with historic architectural designs, are most commonly found in these rooms and can be found in historic homes with original Victorian ceilings.

 

Knockdown ceiling texture

To reduce noise and install it quickly, you can use a knockdown ceiling texture in an industrial building.

You can create this texture by removing the existing texture from a ceiling with paint remover. Industrial buildings often lack aesthetic appeal and are easier to maintain.

So, installing knockdown ceiling texture or adding any other type of decoration, such as a stipple brush ceiling texture, can make the workplace more comfortable without changing the industrial atmosphere.

 

Final thoughts about the different types of ceiling textures

While flat or smooth ceiling texture types give your ceiling a minimalistic and contemporary feel, textured ceilings (often referred to as drop ceilings or coffered ceilings) give the appearance of more depth and visual interest. 

The type of ceiling texture you decide to have in your home depends on your style and your budget. Hopefully, this article about ceiling textures helps explain the different types of ceiling finishes so you can find the one that’s best for you.

 

Sources
(1) – https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/speak-like-a-sailor/nautical-terms-and-phrases-their-meaning-and-origin.html
(2) – https://www.santafe.org/
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