Vaulted Ceiling Types, Advantages & Disadvantages

vaulted ceiling can be defined as a ceiling that is angled upwards toward the roof to reach over the typical eight-to-ten-foot height of a flat ceiling of structures. Vault ceilings are a popular ceiling design option for contemporary architecture since it allows for more light and can be incorporated into all designs.

Types Of Vaulted Ceilings

Here are the 10 types of vault ceiling designs you might opt for in your next project.

1. Barrel Vault Ceiling

Ceilings with vaulted barrels are very simple in appearance, and they’re just one arch repeated across the room’s entire length.

You can decorate with a fancy style to make the room look more attractive to a greater extent or left as is for a basic elegant and elegant look.

Barrel vaults are great for hallways since they create the impression of being in the tunnel. They also look great in foyers and media rooms.

2. Dome Vaulted Ceiling

The domed ceiling is very popular made by submerging a dome into a flat ceiling. Most of the time, they only cover a part of the ceiling. Dome ceilings are more difficult to build when you try to increase their size.

It is recommended to accent the dome’s vaulted ceiling using crown molding to achieve a dramatic appearance without increasing the size of the dome. These are not recommended for bedrooms but can be preferred for entry lobbies or halls.

3. Pitched Brick Vault Ceiling

The pitched brick vault ceilings are an old-style appearance that gives an urban look to your ceiling. A pitched brick vault is created by placing bricks vertically, leaning to an angle that frees the vault from relying on the center to complete (Bricks are placed in a tilted pattern).

4. Groin Vaulted Ceiling

The groin-vault ceilings are made of interlocking two-barrel type vaults with the same dimensions and length. These vault ceilings are easy to visualize in your mind but harder to implement during construction.

Groin refers to the edges that exist between intersecting vaults. Sometimes, the arches of vaults with groins are pointed, not round.

5. Cove Vaulted Ceiling

This type of vault ceiling is perfect if you are looking for an around-corner ceiling. The cove-style ceiling can provide your space with an elegant, sleek look with rounded edges and corners.

6. Cloister Vaulted Ceiling

The cloister vault ceiling comprises a variety of different spring lines and spring points. At these points, the arch begins to curvature, in this instance, on a wall, each arching towards the same point. This creates the appearance of a vault for cloisters.

7. Grome Vaulted Ceiling

This ceiling is a combination of two different vault ceilings; the dome and the groin-vault ceiling. With this ceiling, you can get an enticing and unique appearance.

8. Igloo Vaulted Ceiling

Igloo vault ceilings are sometimes referred to as lunette vault ceilings, and they are simply barrel-vault ceilings with arches cut out. You can place windows and other things under these arches without blocking the ceiling.

9. Rib Vaulted Ceiling

This type of vault ceiling looks similar to a groin-vault ceiling, but these are constructed with diagonal ribs, diagonal stripes, and a series of arched-shaped strips. This ensures structural durability and flexibility.

10. Fan Vaulted Ceiling

The fan vault ceiling is similar to the rib ceilings, but here ceilings are created with equal distances of smaller ribs that give a fan appearance look. Fan-vault ceilings support the beam throughout all the ceiling length.

Advantages Of Vaulted Ceilings

  • A vaulted ceiling creates the illusion of making smaller rooms transform into bigger ones and give a more architectural look.
  • The vaulted ceilings are the best source of ventilation.
  • This high-temperature and air-rise area can also aid in generating coolness.
  • This ceiling is flexible with almost all types of interior design styles.
  • By creating vault ceilings, you can utilize dead space/open spaces in ceilings.
  • It adds a touch of elegance and a lavish look to the open spaces.
  • By providing maximum natural light, vault ceilings help save energy and give green construction options.

Disadvantages Of Vaulted Ceiling

  • The ceilings with a vaulted design are expensive to maintain, and the repair cost is very high.
  • These ceilings are not recommended for remolding projects.
  • These ceilings are not suitable to accommodate lighting fixtures as well as fans and other decorative parts as they are too high and difficult to reach.
  • In vault ceilings, cleaning and repainting tasks are very difficult.
  • It requires specific support arch, ribs, or roofing construction for Structural stability.

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