On site · 3 July 2025 · 2 min read
Before you renovate: check your POP ceiling
What we found when we removed an old POP ceiling — and why older homes should inspect theirs.
By Avond Interiors
Every renovation has a stage we call 'the chaos'. On one recent project, the first phase was removing the old POP (plaster of Paris) ceiling.
Some sections of the ceiling gave way under minimal pressure. That is a real safety risk, and one that is easy to miss when the surface looks fine from below.
What to do
- —If your home has an older POP ceiling, have it inspected — especially before any renovation or new lighting work.
- —Look for sagging, cracks along joints, stains from leaks or sections that sound hollow.
- —Consider replacing aged sections rather than patching them, so new lighting and finishes have a sound base.
Sometimes the most beautiful things begin in chaos. Getting the structure right is what lets the finished space last.
