When it comes to a space’s design, Ceilings Perth may be one of the most overlooked aspects. However, history has shown that a decorative ceiling adds a sense of grandeur.
Many businesses, like hardware stores and supermarkets, want tall ceilings – because it makes the store look large. However, a high ceiling can be overwhelming in smaller rooms.
Beamed Ceilings
Beam ceilings are a great way to add visual interest and bring some personality to a room. They can be made from either reclaimed or synthetic wood and come in a variety of colors and finishes. The look can range from rustic and warm to clean and contemporary. The beams themselves can also be painted or stained to match the rest of the room.
Vaulted or exposed beam ceilings are growing in popularity and can be a beautiful accent to any home. They can be created using a variety of different lighting styles, design trends and ceiling heights. However, it’s important to work with the character of the existing house when choosing a style for the ceilings. Some people opt for reclaimed timber beams to create a more rustic feel, while others prefer a fresh take on traditional designs with a paint color or texture that feels modern.
One of the most popular types of vaulted ceilings is a cathedral ceiling. These ceilings feature equally sloping sides and meet in the middle of the room, creating an impressive apex. They’re named after the magnificent cathedrals in Europe and are a great choice for homeowners who want to add an elegant touch to their homes.
Another common type of ceiling is a tray ceiling. Also known as a coffer or dropped ceiling, these are more subtle in appearance than the more dramatic cathedral and beamed ceilings. They’re also easy to maintain since they don’t require any structural support and can be installed in a relatively short amount of time.
A common concern for homeowners considering a vaulted or exposed beam ceiling is how to deal with electrical wiring and HVAC placement. It’s important to discuss these issues with a contractor before starting the project so that you can make plans for how to hide or highlight them as needed.
A beamed ceiling can also be complemented with other features like a canopy. This is a great way to add some visual flair and create a more intimate space for the bedroom. In this example, the dark timber beams of a vaulted ceiling are paired with a yellow canopy to add a sense of softness and warmth.
Cathedral Ceilings
Vaulted ceilings offer a unique look of grandeur and can add serious character to a room. Often found in more traditional homes, cathedral ceilings feature two sloping sides that meet at the center in a symmetrical triangle shape. These eye-catching ceilings can make rooms feel more spacious while also allowing for the inclusion of skylights and other natural light fixtures.
While cathedral ceilings can be a beautiful addition to any home, they do pose some challenges for homeowners. Due to their height, these ceilings require more energy to heat a space during cold weather and may lead to higher utility bills. In addition, these ceilings are prone to hidden condensation that can lead to mold and rot. While these issues are manageable, they should be considered carefully when deciding whether or not to install a cathedral ceiling in your home.
To counteract the issue of higher energy costs, cathedral ceilings can be painted a shade or two lighter than the wall color to help them feel more expansive and airy. Alternatively, cathedral ceilings can be left unpainted to showcase the wood beams and supports that are so common with this type of ceiling. The exposed ceiling material can add a touch of rustic charm and give the space a more down-to-earth aesthetic, which is a great way to complement the more modern elements in the room, like this living area designed by Mindy Gayer Design Co.
Cathedral ceilings can also be accentuated by the inclusion of a cozy fireplace. The high ceilings make a great surface for hanging a dramatic fireplace, which looks especially stunning when framed by shiplap on the front and back walls. For a more subtle farmhouse aesthetic, try adding some wallpaper to the walls that surround your cathedral ceilings. This look would work well in any living room, dining room, or bedroom, and is a great way to highlight the beauty of your cathedral ceiling without overwhelming it with too much color or pattern.
Regardless of what design approach you choose, cathedral ceilings can be an impressive feature that offers some serious visual drama to any room in your home. If you’re considering adding a vaulted ceiling to your home, working with an experienced structural engineer like Lynn Engineering is a great idea to ensure that the design will meet your needs and expectations for the space.
Arched Ceilings
Vaulted ceilings add a sense of soaring space to rooms and can be a dramatic architectural design element. They are a great choice for open or family rooms, as well as dining areas. There are many different styles of vaulted ceilings, from the simple to the complex, and they can be used in any type of home. There are four types of vaulted ceilings: barrel, groin, coffered and fan.
Historically, vaulted ceilings have referred to any arch with self-support above walls and beneath a roof. They’re found in a variety of structures, including cathedrals and historic buildings. They are also frequently used in residential design, creating a sense of grandiosity and opening up a room.
There are a few different types of vaulted ceilings, but they all work to create a curved expanse above a room. The simplest is the barrel vault, which looks like the rounded cross section of a barrel. This ceiling is often painted with an ornate design to highlight the curved shape, but it can also be left undone for a more elegant look. Barrel vaulted ceilings are a good choice for hallways because they resemble a tunnel and can be an effective visual anchor in your home’s design.
The groin vault is another style of vaulted ceiling that’s commonly found in historical buildings, and it was once used in royal palaces to enhance the architectural grandeur and improve acoustics for ceremonies. This ceiling has a more symmetrical slope than the barrel vault and is reminiscent of a church or cathedral. The groin vault is also used in some residential construction to open up large spaces and create a more intimate feel.
A coffered vault is a more complex version of the barrel vault, with beams intersecting each other to form a pattern similar to a checkerboard. It’s one of the most expensive types of vaulted ceilings to install, and it’s generally used in living or dining rooms.
A fan vault has a similar structure as the coffered vault but is much more ornate in its appearance. It’s a great option for rooms that will be used for entertaining or socializing, and it works best in large open spaces where lots of people can gather.
Wood Panel Ceilings
Wood panel ceilings are an attractive design choice that can be customized to fit your personal style. You can use different wood species, finishes, and installation patterns to create a look that complements your overall design scheme. Wood panels can also be used to add texture and visual length to rooms, especially when they’re finished in light colors like white or blue-green. They can also be combined with other materials to create unique accents, such as suspending lighting fixtures through the field of panels.
The most popular wood options for wood ceilings are oak and maple. Both are very durable and stable, but they require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. They’re also not as fire resistant as other types of wood, and they can be prone to water damage if exposed to moisture for extended periods.
One of the greatest advantages of wood ceilings is their ability to improve a room’s acoustics. Because they’re so porous, wood ceilings absorb a significant amount of sound waves that impact them. This helps reduce the echoes that can occur when sound waves reflect off of hard surfaces, such as other ceilings and furniture. When you combine wood panels with an acoustical backer, the result is even greater noise control.
Because wood is an organic material, it can be susceptible to pests, including insects and rodents. It’s important to keep pests away from wood structures in order to protect the integrity of the wood and prevent damage. In addition, wood is an insulator and can help to keep rooms warm. It can be difficult to clean, though, and may require more frequent dusting than other materials.
If you’re looking for a wood ceiling with less maintenance requirements, consider opting for a faux option. Faux wood planks and panels are easy to install and can provide a similar look to traditional wood ceilings. They can also be painted to produce eye-catching results. They’re also great for those who don’t have the time or skills to tackle a DIY wood ceiling project. Most products are direct attach and feature tongue-and-groove edges to ensure a seamless appearance.