Ceilings

The Basics of Ceilings

Your home’s ceilings insulate each room, hold up hardware like ducts and vents, and hide materials like insulation and wiring. Every homeowner spends the majority of their time under their home’s ceilings, but few take the time to consider what goes into their construction and maintenance. 

Let’s take a closer look at all the kinds of ceilings found in homes. 

• Standard ceilings: These are the most commonly built in American households. They’re composed of drywall, flat, and typically positioned 8 to 9 feet off the ground. These ceilings are easy to install and cheap to produce, making them ideal for general construction. 
• Sloped ceilings: Popular in Midwestern homes and Tudor-style houses, sloped ceilings angle upwards, following the roofline. These high ceilings give rooms a large airy feel, making them appear larger and more spacious. 
• Vaulted ceilings: These ceilings, like sloped ceilings, angle upwards toward the roof’s peak, but they also come with a system of wooden rafters or scaffolding. These structures add an air of elegance and style to a room. 
• Tray ceilings: Tray ceilings have large, raised central insets 1 foot higher than the rest of the ceiling. These add a unique style along with the illusion of height. The major benefit of tray ceilings is that they’re one of the least expensive, nonstandard ceilings you can install. 
• Coffered ceiling: Coffered ceilings are typically found in high-end homes, libraries, Victorian era homes, galleries, and churches. They’re constructed by inserting a series of inverted wooden or fiberboard panels. These ceilings are some of the most expensive you can buy, but they’re undoubtedly beautiful. 

While these are the most common ceilings you can come across, plenty of other options are available. If you’re interested in ceilings, check out some of our articles below.