Different Types of Ceilings | Did You Know Homes

Ceilings undoubtedly create an effect on the interior of a home, besides being an integral structure to interior design as the walls, the flooring and the furniture and fixtures in a room. There are ceilings that are simple, flat and barely gets noticed, but there are some that are distinctively attractive and decorative, which can really grab our attention.

Considering ceiling patterns and design for other furniture designs can make a significant change in the overall look. Ceiling designs have evolved over the years, and these are some of the most common types:

1. Conventional ceiling

This is the ceiling type commonly seen in homes. It’s the standard style typically 8 feet high to fit with standard construction material sizes. It has a simple flat surface with an accessible height. The conventional ceiling is easy to decorate, but there is nothing so special about them. If you want to make a room look larger with a conventional type of ceiling, be ready for an additional significant cost since it will need non-standard construction materials to do so.

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2. Suspended ceiling

A suspended ceiling, or otherwise known as “drop” ceiling, is a little different from the conventional one – it’s a flat ceiling built below an existing ceiling. This type is good for hiding wirings and other mechanical fixtures from the original old ceiling in a stylish way. It consists of a lightweight, acoustic panel and a suspended metal grid. The grid is attached to the existing ceiling, and the panels are inserted inside the grid. Usually, it gives an industrial feel, but decorated panels are available. This style lowers the original height of the ceiling by at least 6 inches, which sometimes make it a problem in basements where it is often used. Make sure to click the following link so you can find the best decorative panel solutions that will fit your requirement.

Installing a suspended ceiling needs precision and expertise to avoid interfering with pipes, wiring, and ductwork. It means that it is not a DIY job. You need to hire a professional to install this type of ceiling which sometimes costs more.

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3. Tray ceiling

Usually seen in dining rooms and kitchens, tray ceilings are built upwards in a cut out resembling a tray. It has a rectangular center that is either popped out or inverted to add an effect. It gives a unique effect to the room, making a small one look taller. The “tray” can be 6 inches to one foot or deeper, and sometimes a series of steps are added for a more dramatic effect. Decorative moldings also look good on this ceiling style. This type of ceiling gives a desirable illusion of height and architectural interest without overly high costs.

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4. Coffered ceiling

This ceiling type creates a waffle-like pattern since it’s made up of a grid of sunken panels accented by molding. It’s a classic ceiling style that is usually found in luxury and high-end homes. In the past, coffered ceilings were works of art made with prized wood or carved stone, but now it is available for the cost that of a suspended ceiling. Recessed lighting style with a chandelier in the center works best with this type.

For coffered ceilings, a minimum ceiling height of 9 feet is required. You also need to find expert carpentry and specialized installation process, which can make it a bit pricey, depending on material and details like carvings.

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5. Cathedral ceiling

Cathedral ceilings, also known as vaulted ceilings, are high and has equally sloping sides that form an upside-down V, at the highest point possible. It is attached directly to the roof trusses and rises all the way up to the top of the house, usually soaring to 15 feet or higher. The trusses themselves need to be wide enough to allow proper ventilation and proper insulation.

This type of ceiling gives an open, spacious feel to a room and is usually found in the first-floor living rooms and dining rooms. Nowadays, it can also be found in master bedrooms and master baths. While it gives warmth and elegance, this style is difficult to paint and change light fixtures. Another downside for this type of ceiling is that it consumes too much energy. Because the ceiling creates space as big as two rooms, it will need heating that is made for two spaces.

There are various types of cathedral ceilings, depending on the shape of the scaffolding:

Barrel: This type consists of a single curved arch and is built under the room’s rafters.
Groin: Thisceiling has two-barrel vaults that intersect at 90-degrees angles. It creates four convex or outward-curving ribs that rise from the corners of the room.
Cloister: This ceiling is similar to a groin vault ceiling. It just differs structurally because the arch rises from the middle of each wall and not the corners, and the ribs are concave, and they curve inward.
Domed: A domed cathedral ceiling is a vaulted ceiling that has a central, spherical arch.

Cathedral ceilings are perfect for very large houses, especially those that have grand living rooms and foyers. The installation of this type ofceiling depends on the dimensions of the room and any unique engineering issues that your contractor may face.

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6. Coved ceiling

A cove ceiling is characterized by a curved molding that starts from the main walls of the room up to the actual ceiling, creating a round concave surface at the side. It gives a smooth transition that makes the room look softer and subtler. It is usually painted with white to match the floor molding. This type is usually seen on formal rooms and sometimes serves as arches separating one living space from another.

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7. Shed ceiling

Typically seen in homes with attic space, the shed ceiling has a slope that slants upward to one side. The rising angle of this type of ceiling is not as steep like that of the cathedral ceiling, which means it provides better insulation and ventilation. The uneven wall height created by the rise of the ceiling gives the room a refreshing look. It looks better when it is covered in the classic headboard.

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8. Beam ceiling

Beam ceilings are gaining popularity in modern rustic and contemporary-styled homes, but it is actually a traditional style of ceiling in which the load-bearing beams are exposed in the inside of the house. It creates an interesting depth and contrast to the ceiling. These beams are usually made of hardwood.

Some houses do not really make use of load-bearing beams, but instead, they use light-weight faux beams that are designed only for visual impact. It is commonly installed in living rooms and dining rooms of spacious homes.

Faux wood beams are a great alternative to solid wood and are usually made from high-density polyurethane. They’re designed to look like real beams without the intense labor work because they’re easy to install. Homeowners can save money with faux beams. They can choose from a wide array of styles, colors, and textures. Moreover, faux beams come in standard sizes, weighing 1 to 2 pounds per linear foot or 10 to 40 pounds per beam. Faux beams are easier to maintain than real wood.

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9. Sloped Ceiling

Sloped ceilings are usually found in homes that have a pitched roof, just like Tudors, where the two sides of the roof meet at the topmost part. With this, the sloped ceilings create cozy corners in attic levels, directly below the roofline, which increases the airiness of living rooms with vaulted ceilings. If you wish to create one in a renovation or addition, you need to check first with your local building codes, and know how low a sloped ceiling can be before the space underneath counts as “living space.”

Finished sloped ceilings are covered in drywall, and they cost the same as flat ceilings of the same square footage. It is also uncommon for homeowners to choose to leave ceiling beams exposed because the installation process is the same. However, prices may vary depending on where you live.

10. Exposed Ceiling

An exposed ceiling is popular in modern industrial interiors. This type of ceiling is intentionally “unfinished,” but all the elements can be painted for a cohesive look. This is an inexpensive option. However, the rooms they rise above are naturally noisier and less insulated. This means having this type of ceiling is also costlier to heat and cool.

11. Tall Ceiling

Tall ceilings are very common, and they also have many different types. They can bring a room so much appeal. Regular ceilings haven an average of 8 feet in height, and taller ceilings can rise much higher than that. They give a room or home a spacious sense of style. This is actually not a type of ceiling but an umbrella term for a ceiling that is above-average in height. But we’ve included it here because it is one of the most popular ceiling terms that people are searching for.

Aside from the savings that you can obtain from solar energy through Velux tax credit or direct kilowatt savings, you can also save money from having high ceilings. Tall ceilings are ideal for ceiling fan installation to improve a home’s air ventilation, eliminating heat inside the home during summer. This type of ceiling improves energy efficiency alongside proper insulation and HVAC maintenance.

12. Dome Ceiling

Dome ceilings are those that have a spherical center and rises like a dome. They also range widely in size. Some dome ceilings can take up an entire room while others are just part of the room. This is a wonderful type of ceiling because it can create a dramatic and elegant look for homes.

Dome ceilings are a common feature of dome buildings. They’re extremely durable and can resist fire, wind, and water. Hence, dome houses and buildings are impervious to fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. While you probably don’t want to build a monolithic dome, you can mimic it by designing and constructing a dome ceiling. It gives an authentic aesthetic appeal to a classic or modern style home.

These are the different types of ceilings that you can choose from if you are thinking of renovating your home, or if you’re building a new house. Also, be sure to check out the best bedroom ceiling fans. You can also read more about different decor styles for ceilings in our post on Great Looks for Ceilings.

Also, check out these additional resources for ceiling and home decoration: