Back in the mid 1960s and early 1970s home decor was taking a direction
that would truly change the history of interior ceiling finishes as we
knew it. In modern times (early 1900s to circa 1950s) interior
residential ceiling finishes was basically plaster
with both smooth
and heavy texture.
Drywall was
re -introduced in the latter part of
1940 and became the overwhelming choice by builders, architects, and
homeowners to be used as their interior walls and ceilings finish.
Textured finishes varied widely from one region to the next, and each
contractor or craftsman applied it the way he/she chose to; in other
words, each texture job was different and unique. No two texture jobs
were identical even when installed by the same craftsman. Tools were
manufactured and sold that was used to apply a particular pattern or
type of texture. Some texture jobs done by some craftsmen were heavily
applied and in many cases extremely rough to the touch. In other cases,
the texture was applied much lighter and various designs and
interesting patterns were used such as flowers, crow's foot, and
sweeping brooms. Some of it looked great and some of it looked quite
hideous.
But around the late 1960s and early 1970s homebuilders began to use a
totally different kind of texture that would come to alter the home
building industry as a whole. Looking to save money builders started
using a product that would reduce the cost of drywall
finishers substantially and
eliminate the cost of hiring painting
contractors all
together. It would prove to be just what the doctor ordered for
investors and builders. Homeowners, at that time thought it was the
greatest thing since mom's apple pie. During the 1970s popcorn ceilings
took off and became a "must have" for millions and millions of
homeowners all across the country.
It must have been around the time when Disco was king when
homeowners began to spray silver and gold colored glitter on their
popcorn ceilings to give it that shiny and flashy look that could be
found at many of the discotheques around the country. Mirrors all
around
the walls and fresh, clean white popcorn ceilings accented
with shiny gold and silver glitter was en vogue and oh so stylish;
those were the days.
The manufacturers of
popcorn ceilings or acoustic
ceilings as it is
officially known couldn't keep up with the demands for their product.
Day and night they kept the production lines wide open, yet
they could not supply the market with enough of it. It seemed that
practically everybody wanted popcorn ceilings in their home, not only
those buying new homes but especially the existing home market. It was
an inexpensive way to give their homes a brand new appearance on the
inside without having to do major renovation work.
However, no one knew or just refused to tell the general
public that many of the manufacturers were using "asbestos"
(asbestos
is a carcinogen that has been known to cause cancer) in the making of
acoustics/popcorn. No one mentioned to the general public that these
same popcorn ceilings could and would create a living nightmare for
allergy sufferers. No one told the general public that
this new ceiling texture that had become the craze
all across the nation would prove to be almost impossible to clean once
it gets dirty.
And that's because of the fact that it was a heavy texture
that held dirt, grease, oils, insect bile, odors, and tar! Note:
Tar
that comes
from smoking cigarettes will stain popcorn ceilings terribly unless the
ceilings are painted a very dark color that makes it very difficult to
see all the nastiness that has settled on the ceilings.
No one knew or no one bothered to tell the general public or homeowners
in particular back then that popcorn ceilings should have been banned
by the federal government before it even made its debut!
Today, the word has gotten out loud and clear and like a plague popcorn
is being avoided at all cost. Since the discovery and proclamation
about asbestos being in acoustic/popcorn the demand has all but
completely dissolved. And with the changing of home decor over the
years popcorn has gone to its grave in a nailed coffin. Homeowners
today, work furiously to get it out of their homes and out of their
lives.
And it's true, asbestos hasn't been used in the manufacture
of acoustics/popcorn since 1978/79, but it is still very unfashionable
in home decor today. As a matter of fact it is even hated in some
circles not only because of it's appearance, and its difficulty to
clean and maintain, but also due to all the health related issues
that's associated with
popcorn; it is viewed more as
an
old curse that
never should have been allowed in American homes in the first place.
American
Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc.
(318) 746-1810
or (318)
677-9055 for all your
drywall/sheetrock repair projects. We also offer carpentry
repairs; kitchen cabinets staining and varnishing; kitchen cabinets
painting; exterior (doors) staining and varnishing; deck restoration
and rejuvenation; drywall (sheetrock) finishing; drywall (sheetrock)
installation; drywall (sheetrock) texturing; popcorn ceiling removal;
plaster restoration and plaster repairs; historic home restoration and
repairs plus flooring.
We are also interior residential (house) painters as well as exterior
residential (house) painters and so much more. For almost thirty years
we have been providing homeowners and commercial property owners with
quality craftsmanship along with down home friendly service. And if you
live in the Minden area just pick up the phone and give us a call at (318) 371-1005.
Thanks,
Donald Thomas/owner
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| American
Painting and Pressure
Cleaning, Inc. provide
quality craftsmanship alond with down home
friendly service to the following areas also: Keithville, Frierson,
Stonewall, Mansfield, DeRidder, Benton, Haughton, Sarepta, Springhill,
Cotton Valley, Shongaloo, Haynesville, Homer, Lisbon, Athens, Arcadia,
Ringgold,
Gibsland, Ruston, Monroe, Heflin, Doyline, Sibley, and Plain Dealing La. |
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