What sets Hoover ceilings apart
Hoover became a city in 1967 and grew fast through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, spreading from Bluff Park and the US-31 corridor south toward the Cahaba River.[VERIFY: Hoover incorporation date and growth period; sixth-largest city in Alabama] The popcorn ceilings here are mostly in:
- Bluff Park. The older ridge-top neighborhood, with many homes from the 1950s through the 1970s.
- 1970s and 80s subdivisions. Ranches, two-stories and split-levels where sprayed texture was the builder's standard ceiling.
- Vaulted great rooms. Common in 1980s floor plans, and the rooms where setup costs the most.
Homes in newer developments built after 1990 rarely have popcorn, so if yours does, it may be a later addition. It's still worth testing if you're not sure when it went up.
Planning the job
Test before anything else
For any home built or remodeled before the late 1980s, have the texture sampled before removal. See testing a popcorn ceiling before removal.
Plan the tall rooms
Ask how the pro will reach high ceilings and keep dust from drifting through an open plan into the rest of the house.
Pick a finish
A full smooth skim coat looks best in rooms with big windows; a knockdown is more forgiving and costs less.
Permits in Hoover
The City of Hoover runs its own building department for homes inside the city, in both Jefferson and Shelby County.[VERIFY: City of Hoover issues residential building permits in both counties] Cosmetic texture removal and painting generally don't need a permit, but electrical changes do. Your professional should confirm what applies to your address.
Costs
Vaulted ceilings, painted texture and repairs are the biggest cost drivers here. The Homewood cost guide explains each factor, and painted popcorn removal covers ceilings that were painted over.