How to Texture Ceilings With a Roller

There are two ways to create textured ceilings with a paint roller. One option is to add granules to paint that give you an easy way to roll on texture quickly. The other option is to use thinned drywall compound. Each method offers different benefits and texturing capabilities. The advantage of using drywall compound over paint is its versatility, durability and life expectancy. Both methods tend to be considerably messy, but neither is complicated to apply.

Preparing the Room

  1. Sweep the ceiling to remove dust and cobwebs.

  2. Cover the walls, light fixtures, furnishings and floor with plastic sheeting. Tape the sheeting in place using low-tack masking tape.

  3. Sand the ceiling with a sanding sponge to roughen the surface and increase adhesion.

  4. Wipe the dust off of the ceiling with a dry rag.

Texturing With Paint

  1. Prime the ceiling with one layer of a stain-blocking primer. Dry the ceiling according to the primer manufacturers’ instructions.

  2. Stir the paint to remix any separated ingredients.

  3. Pour half of the paint into the well of the paint tray.

  4. Paint the ceiling with one coat of the paint. This is necessary to achieve a thorough coverage on the ceiling, as you will not be able to add a second coat after the texture is applied.

  5. Pour the leftover paint back into the paint bucket.

  6. Add texture granules to the remainder of the paint while it is still in the bucket. Continue stirring until the granules are evenly mixed.

  7. Pour the textured paint into the paint roller tray until the well is full. There will be a fill line indicated on the inside of the well.

  8. Dip the roller into the well, then roll it along the sloped surface of the tray. Continue rolling until no more paint drips off of the roller.

  9. Roll the paint onto the ceiling in a “W” or “M” pattern, coating one section of the ceiling at a time until the entire surface is covered.

Texturing With Drywall Compound

  1. Pour a box of drywall compound into a 5-gallon bucket.

  2. Thin the drywall compound with water until it is the consistency of paint. Use a paddle mixer to ensure there are no lumps or clumps left in the mixture.

  3. Dip the paint roller directly into the bucket and coat it with the mixture. Tap the roller on the side of the bucket to remove the excess. The mixture will still be thick on the roller.

  4. Roll it onto a small section of the ceiling at a time. Roll it on in a straight line until the roller is empty.

  5. Drag a comb, broom or other texture-creating tool through the compound to create your desired pattern. If you make a mistake, correct it by rolling over the ceiling with the paint roller again.

  6. Keep rolling sections this way until the entire ceiling is covered. Brush each section as it is done. The drywall compound paint will dry quickly.

  7. Let the compound cure on the ceiling according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Paint as desired.

  8. Things You Will Need

    • Broom

    • Mild detergent

    • Low-tack masking tape

    • Plastic sheeting

    • Sanding sponge

    • Rag

    • Stain-blocking primer

    • Paint tray

    • Texture granules

    • Drywall compound

    • Water

    • Texturing tools