Sound dampening: popcorn vs textured vs flat ceiling
Everyone understands the negatives of popcorn ceiling, but, it is universally described as having significant sound dampening properties, and this is valuable, especially in my mother's house that I'm trying to handle, with pretty big rooms downstairs.
I understand that there are fancy options, but those are expensive, and I know that the insurance adjuster (burst pipe in the floor above, that's why the ceiling is going to be replaced) is not going to agree to fund it, nor can I afford it.
Currently, a plain flat ceiling is apparently seen as the most attractive by the world in general, but it is also acknowledged as being the absolute worst in terms of sound dampening; it provides none whatsoever. And, if this search result can be believed, it might not even be an option for me:
"If your insurance policy states they will replace the ceiling "to pre-loss condition," they are paying for a textured ceiling. If you tell the contractor you want a perfectly smooth finish, the drywallers have to spend days skim-coating and sanding the entire ceiling to a "Level 5" standard. Contractors often charge a massive premium for this, which insurance may not fully cover. Knockdown and Orange Peel are standard sprays that usually won't incur extra labor fees."
There are a variety of other ways to texture a ceiling these days, but the problem is that I can't find a straight answer as to how much if any sound dampening properties any of those textures have. Answers that I've found vary from substantial dampening to none at all for the exact same textures. I'm hoping that someone here either possesses this arcane knowledge, or can direct me to a website where a human being gives a reliable answer.
And of course, if you actually have a textured ceiling in your home… What has been your experience with it? Are your rooms still echo-y? Is it really as impossible to clean or repair as some websites have stated?
Thank you to anyone who can provide any light in this darkness!