EXTRA-TALL CEILINGS · POPCORN REMOVAL · POT LIGHTS

Why Popcorn Ceiling Removal Is the Perfect Time to Install Pot Lights

Maggie and Scott’s extra-tall main-floor ceilings were getting a smooth finish and new pot lights. Removing the popcorn first gave the electrician access for wiring; we then patched the openings and finished the ceiling.

Extra-tall popcorn ceiling removal, pot-light installation and smooth ceiling finishing

Clients: Maggie and Scott
Main challenge: Extra-tall popcorn ceilings with new pot-light wiring and switching
Best sequence: Remove texture, complete electrical work, patch, skim and finish the full ceiling
Electrical coordination: Strataline's electrician has worked with the team for more than 15 years
Protection: Floors, walls, furnishings and surrounding finished surfaces
Finishing details: Smooth ceilings, painted crown moulding and refreshed columns
PLANNING CEILING AND LIGHTING WORK?

Project overview

Coordinating extra-tall ceilings and pot lights

Maggie and Scott’s main floor has tall ceilings above the staircase and columned openings. We removed the popcorn, installed new pot lights and repainted the crown moulding and columns.

Finished extra-tall main floor with a smooth ceiling, pot lights, crown moulding, columns and staircase. — The smooth ceiling, recessed lights, painted crown moulding and refreshed columns complete the main floor together.

Why install pot lights during popcorn removal?

Why remove popcorn before adding pot lights

The electrician needed openings to run wiring and connect the lights and switches. Making those openings after texture removal meant we could patch them before skim coating the ceiling, without trying to reproduce the old popcorn around each repair.

Protected main-floor ceiling with electrical access openings, fixture wires and broad patching during coordinated pot-light installation. — Electrical access and fixture openings could be repaired without trying to recreate the old popcorn texture.

Skim-coated ceiling with evenly spaced pot-light openings before final sanding and paint. — Full-surface skim coating brought the patched openings into one continuous ceiling plane.

Preparing and protecting the home

One containment plan for both trades

We covered the floors, staircase, cabinets and furniture, and hung plastic along the walls. The protection stayed in place for both the ceiling removal and electrical work, catching debris from cutting and drilling as well as the later finishing work.

Staircase, columns, walls and floor wrapped and protected below the original popcorn ceiling before removal. — Protection covered the staircase, columns, walls and floor beneath the extra-tall ceiling.

Protected kitchen cabinets, refrigerator, island and walls below pot-light wiring openings in the ceiling. — Kitchen finishes remained covered while the ceiling and electrical stages moved through the main floor.

Electrical installation

Giving the electrician proper access

Our electrician has worked with the team for more than 15 years. On this job, he routed the new wiring and completed the fixture and switching work after the texture came down. The access openings were then ready for us to close.

Protected room with the original popcorn ceiling and circular openings prepared for new recessed pot lights. — The protected work area allowed the new lighting openings to be made during the ceiling renovation.

Ceiling with pot-light wiring, electrical access repairs and broad skim-coat patches above protected kitchen finishes. — Wiring and access openings were patched before skim coating the complete ceiling.

Patching and skim coating

Skim coating the entire ceiling

We patched the electrical openings and skim coated the entire ceiling. Sanding and paint followed, covering the repair edges along with the rest of the surface.

Broad skim-coated ceiling with new recessed-light openings ready for final sanding, preparation and paint. — The continuous skim coat is what allows separate electrical repairs to finish as one ceiling.

Living room during the project with wall and floor protection below popcorn ceiling and pot-light openings. — BeforeDuring work, containment protected the room while ceiling and electrical openings were addressed.

Finished living room with a smooth ceiling and completed recessed pot-light layout. — BeforeDuring work, containment protected the room while ceiling and electrical openings were addressed.

Protected staircase and columns beneath an extra-tall popcorn ceiling before removal and finishing. — BeforeBefore finishing, the staircase, columns and surrounding surfaces were wrapped below the tall ceiling.

Completed foyer with staircase, refreshed columns, smooth ceiling and recessed pot lights. — BeforeBefore finishing, the staircase, columns and surrounding surfaces were wrapped below the tall ceiling.

Finishing details

Painting the crown moulding and columns

We repainted the crown moulding and refreshed the columns around the staircase and adjoining rooms. Those existing details frame the new smooth ceilings and pot lights.

Finished hallway with painted crown moulding, a smooth ceiling, one recessed light and the stair opening. — Painted crown moulding creates a clean perimeter around the new smooth ceiling.

Finished foyer with recessed lights, smooth ceiling, crown moulding and refreshed columns. — The finished foyer brings the smooth ceiling, pot lights, painted crown moulding and refreshed columns together.

Wide finished living room with a smooth extra-tall ceiling, recessed pot lights and crown moulding. — The living-room ceiling forms one uninterrupted finished surface around the new lights.

Open main floor with a smooth ceiling, recessed pot lights, crown moulding and refreshed columns. — The ceiling and lighting layout continue across the open main floor.

Client review

Maggie and Scott's account of the ceiling project

Maggie wrote: “My husband and I are unbelievably happy with the work that Max and his team did on our ceilings in the house. The professionalism of this team is incredible.”

Thank you to Maggie and Scott for trusting Strataline with their home and for taking the time to share their experience. View Maggie's original review on Facebook .

Screenshot of Maggie McKenzie's November 5, 2021 Facebook review describing Strataline's ceiling protection, finishing and cleanup. — Maggie McKenzie's original Facebook review of the ceiling renovation.

Finished staircase view with refreshed columns, crown moulding, smooth ceiling and recessed pot lights. — Refreshed columns frame the finished smooth ceiling beside the staircase.

Finished front entry with a smooth ceiling, recessed pot lights, crown moulding and columns. — The finished ceiling and lighting continue through the front-entry area.

FINISHED PROJECT

Smooth ceilings throughout the main floor

Finished living room with a smooth ceiling and evenly spaced recessed pot lights. — The new pot-light layout is set into the completed smooth living-room ceiling.

Finished room with a smooth ceiling, recessed pot lights, crown moulding and fireplace. — The new lighting carries across the smooth ceiling above the fireplace.

Extra-tall foyer ceiling with pot lights, columns and staircase. — The extra-tall foyer ceiling extends above the staircase and columns.

Finished open main floor with a smooth ceiling, recessed lighting and refreshed columns. — The smooth ceiling extends across the open room divisions.

Finished staircase and columns below the new smooth ceiling and pot lights. — Refreshed columns connect the staircase opening to the new smooth ceiling.

Finished front foyer with pot lights, a smooth ceiling and painted crown moulding. — Smooth ceiling work and recessed lights continue through the front entry.

Planning value

What this project shows homeowners

Decide the lighting layout before the final ceiling repairs and skim coating.
Allow for access openings as well as the holes for the light fixtures.

Planning answers

What homeowners can learn from this project

Should pot lights be installed before or after removing a popcorn ceiling?

Remove the popcorn first, complete the required pot-light wiring and access work, patch the openings, then skim coat and finish the complete ceiling. This sequence lets the electrician work properly and lets the ceiling repairs disappear into one continuous smooth surface.

“My husband and I are unbelievably happy with the work that Max and his team did on our ceilings in the house. The professionalism of this team is incredible.”

— Maggie and Scott

CONTINUE EXPLORING

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Planning popcorn removal and new pot lights together?

Send photographs of the ceilings and tell us where you want more light. We’ll review the ceiling work and lighting installation together.

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