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What is a Vaulted Ceiling?
In architectural terms, vault ceilings are self-supporting arches. They rise above the walls, and roofs support them. Seven thousand years ago, a Neolithic hamlet in Crete had the first vaulted ceilings. Many other historic buildings worldwide have this feature, including Gothic cathedrals and domes like the Pantheon in Rome.
As much as they might make a room appear bigger and let in more light, high ceilings can raise construction costs and increase the energy needed to cool or heat a space. If the construction permits, such ceilings are perfect for open kitchen -living-dining rooms and bedrooms. In addition to reclaimed beams or industrial cable supports, you may add a vaulted ceiling to your space if you like to add rustic appeal. In general, these ceilings suit spaces with an open plan.
Also Read: Open kitchen vs closed kitchen
Why You Should Opt for a Vaulted Ceiling?
Here are the advantages of a vaulted ceiling:
● More Visual Space
One benefit of a vaulted ceiling is that it draws the eye upward, giving the impression of more vertical space. Vaulted ceilings don’t add more usable floor space to a room; instead, they only create the impression of more space. Therefore, it is a good design choice for apartments with limited space.
● Provide Additional Options for Natural Light
A room with a vaulted ceiling can accommodate large windows, such as those that span the whole height of a wall. Additionally, because many vaulted ceilings match the pitch of the roof, homeowners can include skylights right into the ceiling. Also, they may have larger windows that reach the ceiling and additional wall space.
● Suitable for a Wide Variety of Home Decors
The main advantage of a vaulted ceiling is that it can be incorporated into most of the interior decor of your house.
● Can act as the Centrepiece of a Design
Having a vaulted ceiling as the focal point of an otherwise simple room may make quite an impression. Vaults in the ceiling can be a built-in, eye-catching design element in a living room, dining room, or family room, as is the case with some interior designers. Exposed ceiling beams crafted from deep, rich wood are a great way to bring character to the space.
Types of Vaulted Ceiling
1. Dome-Vaulted Ceiling
As the name suggests, a dome-vaulted ceiling resembles a dome. It is suitable for entryways and other smaller spaces. They take up a small section of the ceiling; however, they become increasingly challenging to construct as their size increases.
2. Elongated Dome Vaulted Ceiling
An elongated dome-vaulted ceiling is a modified and longer variant of a dome vaulted ceiling. It is one of the best choices for a rectangular roof.
3. Oval Dome Vaulted Ceiling
It mostly resembles elongated dome-vaulted ceilings. The main difference between an elongated and an oval-dome vaulted ceiling is the shape, length, and construction process.
4. Pitched Brick Vaulted Ceiling
Also known as the diagonal brick approach, it gives your home an urban feel. It is best suited for the kitchen to give it a warm and urban feel.
5. Cove Vaulted Ceiling
A vaulted cove ceiling is the best choice for a vaulted ceiling if you want to give your living area a cosy, welcoming feel. By smoothing off the edges and corners of your ceiling, the vaulted cove ceiling can give your building a standard or upscale appearance. If you want your living room to have a simple, charming look, a white cove vaulted ceiling is the way to go.
6. Cloister Vaulted Ceiling
Joining four conclave surfaces at the centre forms a cloister vaulted ceiling. It is often found in cloisters (covered walkways surrounding a courtyard). It is the best option to cover large courtyard spaces and covered walkways.
7. Barrel Vaulted Ceiling
The barrel-vaulted ceiling gives your space a tunnel-like feel and is also known as a cradle vault, tunnel vault, or wagon vault. The smooth-surfaced barrel-vaulted ceiling is more like a barrel or a half-tunnel, connected as a series of domes.
8. Groin Vaulted Ceiling
When two barrel vaulted ceilings meet at right angles, the result is a groin-vaulted ceiling, also known as a cross-vault ceiling. It attracts attention upward to produce a sophisticated design and modern appearance in your room. This type of design gives your ceiling an elegant and dramatic look. One of the most common types of groin vault is made of brick and is also one of the most cost-effective options.
9. Rib Vaulted Ceiling
Rib vaults are unique in both their appearance and the sheer complexity of their construction. The ribs, or arches, extend beyond the vaults to the walls, providing aesthetics and strength.
10. Fan Vaulted Ceiling
If you want to give your home a one-of-a-kind look, a fan vaulted ceiling is the best way to accomplish it. Fan-vaulted ceilings have an inimitable, unconventional look because of the shell- or fan-shaped structures that reach from the wall to a certain point on the ceiling, typically meeting in the centre of the vault.
What are The Drawbacks of Vaulted Ceilings?
Make sure you have a complete understanding of the drawbacks of higher ceilings, even though you may still be drooling over the potential design opportunities they present. Have a look at the drawbacks:
● Excess Energy Consumption
The heat from the room rises naturally to the empty space in the ceiling, where it has no benefit and is a waste of energy. Energy loss is commonly associated with vaulted ceilings. It usually takes more air conditioning to get these rooms to a pleasant temperature in the summer than it would in those with regular ceiling heights.
● Cost of Construction
Building a vaulted ceiling room can add significant cost to the construction project because it requires extra framework. When doing a retrofit, it’s important to consult with an architect to make sure there’s enough space and structural support for higher ceilings.
● Practicality
The higher the ceiling, the more difficult it is to remove cobwebs and replace light bulbs in fixtures. No vertical extension is possible.
● Warmth
In a larger space, the room would likely lose some of its cosiness and warmth.
Vaulted Ceiling and Need for Ventilation
Vaulted ceilings can be difficult to ventilate due to the way they are usually built. The vaulted ceiling alters the attic’s configuration, insulation envelope, and roof ventilation. An open attic is easy to ventilate because each region can breathe laterally. When the ceiling is put up against the roof rafters, each rafter bay becomes a separate region that requires its own air circulation and ventilation because it cannot breathe laterally. Each rafter bay requires its own intake and exhaust vents, as well as the assurance that air may circulate above the insulation envelope. When there is enough fresh air moving through each rafter bay, the roof will work well and stay dry.
Installing soffit vents and a continuous ridge vent typically results in adequate ventilation for each individual rafter bay. The ridge vent permits ventilation air to escape from every linear foot of the roof’s ridge, whereas the soffit vents allow ventilation air to enter each rafter bay.
Conclusion
Vaulted ceilings are a surefire way to give a property a unique look while also making it feel more spacious, brighter, and airier. Vaulted ceilings come in various types to suit your interiors. However, when done incorrectly, the ceiling feature can make a space feel unfinished, and the ceiling detail can even make a space feel smaller rather than larger. If you love the aesthetic, give it a try.
FAQs about Vaulted Ceilings
1. What are Vaulted Ceilings?
Vaulted ceilings are arched ceilings. They are higher than flat ceiling height, and creates a sense of spaciousness and openness. They are preferred in large living rooms, or entryways, allowing more natural light.
2. What is vaulted vs flat ceilings?
The major difference between vaulted and a flat ceiling lies in shape. Vaulted ceiling is arched upward, creating more space. Whereas, flat ceiling is straight and flat with no arch.
3. What is the difference between a sloped ceiling and a vaulted ceiling?
Sloped ceiling has a sloped roof. Two sides of roof are joined at the roof centre, creating a raised roof. However, a vaulted ceiling is curved and arched to form a raised roof.
4. Why do people love vaulted ceilings?
Vaulted ceilings add an element of royalty, elegance and spaciousness. Additionally, vaulted ceilings have various types to choose from.
5. Are vaulted ceilings expensive?
Indeed, vaulted ceilings are expensive to construct and maintain. But the expenditure is worth it. You get a touch of elegance and openness.
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Author Bio
Sikandar Choudhury – Sikandar Monwar Huda Choudhury is a freelance article writer who is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with others through writing. With several years of experience in the engineering field and having written 100+ articles related to construction, Sikandar is a skilled writer with a talent for breaking down complex concepts and making them accessible to a wider audience. Sikandar is always looking for new opportunities to share his knowledge and experience with others through writing and is available for hire as a freelance civil engineering article writer. He is easily reachable on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sikandar-monwar-huda-choudhury-2b3a1a20a/.