Vaulted ceilings can be a fantastic way to improve the look and even the value of your home. Also known as cathedral ceilings, raised ceilings, and high ceilings, you have certainly seen them in various homes or even on TV. If you are thinking vaulted ceilings might be a great addition in your home, you’re probably wondering: How wide can a vaulted ceiling be?
A vaulted ceiling can be as wide as any room in your home. However, it is important to understand that constructing vaulted ceilings is a precise job for professionals. The dimensions of the ceiling need to perfectly align with the width of the walls and the original height of the ceiling.
In this article, we are going to learn exactly what a vaulted ceiling is, the type of room needed in order to be able to construct a vaulted ceiling, and even the pros and cons of a properly constructed vaulted ceiling. So keep reading! You are going to be an expert on vaulted ceilings in no time.
What Is a Vaulted Ceiling?
Before we dig into the ins and outs of vaulted ceilings, it’s important that you first understand exactly what vaulted ceilings are as there is often some confusion.
A vaulted ceiling is technically an arched ceiling with self support that’s located underneath the ceiling and above the walls.
However, many people also call vaulted ceilings cathedral ceilings, which are defined as ceilings in which two slanted points meet at the top of the room. Vaulted ceilings are also often called high ceilings, which is a label that can simply be given to any ceiling higher than the standard 8-10 feet.
Confusing, right? For the purpose of this article, and to help you fully understand vaulted ceilings, we are going to stick with the arched definition.
How Wide Can a Vaulted Ceiling Be?
Now that you know exactly what a vaulted ceiling is, and what it isn’t, it’s time to come back to our original question: How wide can a vaulted ceiling be?
A vaulted ceiling does not have a maximum width, it can be constructed in any room of your home, as long as it is constructed professionally and with accurate dimensions.
Whether you are remodeling or constructing an entirely new home, vaulted ceilings are a job for professionals, and not just anyone in the construction business can create them. The dimensions need to be specific to the width and height of the walls supporting it, as well as the width of the room, and how tall you want the vaulted ceiling to be.
What Type of Rooms Can Allow a Vaulted Ceiling?
Technically, all rooms can allow a vaulted ceiling, as long as there isn’t another floor above it! In some cases, if there is an attic or a crawl space, it can be removed to create the vaulted ceiling, but one story rooms are the easiest to work with.
From a financial standpoint, removing a standard ceiling and adding a vaulted ceiling is far more expensive than simply building one from the get go.
If you are building an addition on your home, it may be a great time to add the vaulted ceiling you’ve always wanted!
How Much Higher Are Vaulted Ceilings Than Standard Ceilings?
Standard ceilings in most American homes are between 8 and 10 feet tall. According to its definition, a vaulted ceiling doesn’t actually have a specific height requirement.
A vaulted ceiling could be only a foot higher than a standard ceiling, but if it arches and has support below the ceiling, it is a vaulted ceiling!
However, most vaulted ceilings are quite a bit higher than 8 feet, in fact, the average vaulted ceiling of a 20 by 20 foot room is around 12 feet high. Although it may not seem like a big jump, it will certainly make a big difference in your home.
For larger rooms, the ceiling will be even higher to account for the dimensions of the arch. When creating your vaulted ceiling, make sure you sit down with an experienced architect so you can fully understand how tall your vaulted ceiling will be compared to the size of the room.
Should You Get a Vaulted Ceiling in Your Home?
There are a lot of pros and cons to vaulted ceilings, and while deciding if it is right for your home is ultimately up to you, there are a few aspects to understand before going ahead with construction.
Pros of Vaulted Ceilings
Vaulted ceiling have quite a few advantages, but here are some of our favorites:
- Increase the value of your home.
- Provide additional space for windows and natural light.
- Make your home seem larger.
- They are a sought after style.
Now, let’s talk about the disadvantages.
Cons of Vaulted Ceilings
While the pros of vaulted ceilings are exciting, there are a few cons to be weary of:
- It can take around one month to create a vaulted ceiling for a 20 by 20 foot room.
- Vaulted ceilings are far more expensive than standard ceilings.
- Heating and cooling become more expensive.
- They are harder to clean and upkeep.
At the end of the day, no one can tell you whether or not a vaulted ceiling is the right or wrong choice for your home, but at least now you have all the information you need to make a confident decision about vaulted ceilings!
The Bottom Line
Let’s recap: How wide can a vaulted ceiling be? There really is no maximum width for a vaulted ceiling, it simply needs to be built to fit the size of the room its covering!
So many large, beautiful cathedrals, castles, and various other ancient and modern buildings have beautiful vaulted ceilings on rooms that are larger than most houses today!
But even though width is not a problem, it’s essential to remember that building vaulted ceilings is an expensive, time consuming job for professionals, that will ultimately increase the value of your home and maybe your happiness too!
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