If you're considering purchasing a home in the Raleigh/Triangle area, you're probably touring a lot of homes.  You may be seeing some "cool" ceilings, and wondering what they are called.

This handy guide to ceiling terms, presented by Raleigh custom home builder Stanton Homes, will help you understand some of different options available. 

TODAY'S CEILINGS MAKE STATEMENTS

Custom homes in the Raleigh area typically exhibit at least one ceiling that does more than hold the room together. The treatment of the top of a room is designed to evoke expression, and they do it in a variety of ways.  Understanding the different options makes it easier to discern what builders are offering.

Conventional Ceiling

Usually 8 feet high, conventional ceilings may be either flat (look just like the walls) or textured, most often called "popcorn" (sprayed with particles that look like painted popcorn kernels.)  A "smooth ceiling" is flat.  If your contract doesn't mention smooth ceilings, ask what kind of ceiling is included.  

In a custom home, the first floor ceilings are often extended to 9 feet in height, and adorned with one or more of the following extras.   Homes at the upper end may even have 10, 11 or 12 ft high ceilings.   A ceiling over 9 feet tall can add greatly to cost, as most standard building materials come in shorter lengths, and more support may be needed for a taller ceiling. 

If your builder doesn't offer 9 feet as a standard first floor ceiling height, expect to pay $3000-$9000 to increase the height, depending on the size of the home.

Moulding

Conventional mouldings are one piece, one or two inch, pieces of wood that cover the edges where the sheetrock touches ceilings and floors.

In custom homes, mouldings can be wider, with two, three or four pieces stacked on top of each other for a more elaborate effect.

The trey ceiling to the left has three layers of crown molding, which help define the layered trey and add to the details. 

On the right, even the small ceiling has two piece crown molding which draws the eye to the different dimensions and layers.

Cathedral Ceiling and Vaulted Ceiling

A cathedral ceiling provides a high sloping line up to the top of the house. A vaulted ceiling extends a room upward. Both provide a spacious feeling and make rooms feel larger.

More often found in first floor living or family rooms, they are also being employed in dining rooms, master bedrooms and master baths.

This master bath demonstrates one of many styles of vaulted ceilings.  It adds spaciousness to a room that is both functional and luxurious. 

Vaulted ceilings in the master bath are becoming quite common, particularly in custom homes.

Main floor master suite homes also are more likely to have vaulted ceilings, as the second floor is generally smaller, which means that more first floor rooms are likely to have a roof directly over them instead of another room.

Tray Ceiling

A tray ceiling (also called trey ceiling) is an artistic element added to select ceilings to give them personality and a unique attribute.

These ceilings start horizontally at the wall intersection at a standard height and then are built upwards in a cut out resembling a tray.  The cut can be vertical or angled, and the tray itself can be 6 inches to a foot or more deep.  Sometimes there are a series of steps for an even more dramatic effect.

Decorative mouldings or lights may also be incorporated.  The trey ceiling to the right is constructed in two layers, allowing the homeowner to place lights inside the deeper trey, if desired, for a soft, etheral lighting effect in the master bedroom. 

Note the extensive trimwork - different sized pieces of crown molding add to the three-dimensional affect. 

Trey ceilings can be even more impressive when different paint colors are used. 

The trey ceiling on the left has a round extension for the light fixture, wrapped in crown molding.   The used of ceiling white, dark red wall color, and bright white crown molding make this a very dramatic trey.

Trey ceilings are most common in dining rooms and/or master bedrooms.  Tray ceilings are found in most custom homes and usually offered as upgrades in production homes.   As an upgrade, the cost is generally around $1,000 for a very simple cut out trey ceiling with no crown molding, and no variation in paint color. 

If the base plan for your new home doesn't include a trey ceiling, expect to pay $1000-$3000 to add a very basic box trey.  Add more if you want any kind of crown molding incorporated.  Some builders will work with you to custom design a trey ceiling with multiple layers - make sure to ask what is included. 

Cove Ceiling

Cove ceilings have a rounded concave surface. This may be incorporated into arched doorways, hallways, or other areas where a fluid effect is desired.  

These types of ceilings are an extremely delightful and rare art form - it's difficult to create a perfectly curved ceiling, because most building materials are designed to provide flat surfaces, and it takes extra materials, time, skill and creativity to craft the symmetrical effect.

Cove ceilings generally curve up from every wall.  It'll be hard to find one even in homes at the upper end of the spectrum.

Beams

Made of wood or other substances which are typically laid across conventional ceilings to add dimension, color, clarity or interest.

They can either be load bearing (incorporated into the actual structure of the home) or lighter weight faux beams that are applied purely for visual effect.  This type of ceiling effect is not as popular as the more modern approaches and is more typically applied to rustic décor.

Barrel Vault Ceiling

A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or wagon vault, is not commonly seen in homes, but can be a very unique architectural feature.

Think of the curved section you'd have if you cut a barrel vertically into sections - this resembles the curve of a barrel vault.  

These curved ceilings or openings were common in Roman architecture.  But the most famous example can be found in St. Peter's Basilica, which has a huge barrel vault spans nearly 90 feet across the nave.

We built this home with a two story foyer and designed a barrel vault with multiple dimensions.  The arched windows carry out the theme.  The iron balasters and oak handrail give a nice contrast to the rounded lines.

There are built-in plant shelves on both sides of the foyer, which add to the opportunities for home accents.

Most surprising?  This home was under $300K. 

Coffered Ceiling

A coffered ceiling provides the latest approach to a beam-like effect, with a sophisticated twist. 

Best described as, "creating a raised and indented checkerboard across the ceiling," a coffered ceiling is usually created by framing a series of interconnected vertical and horizontal lines across the ceiling. 

The lines are then covered in sheetrock and finished similar to a normal ceiling. 

The individual boxes are then often trimmed with moulding - layering of which can be wider and thicker as the price goes up, especially  in very high-end estate homes. 

A lighting fixture or fixtures is usually incorporated.  This type of ceiling is not nearly as common as a tray ceiling, but is more common than cove ceilings or barrel vault ceilings. 

Where to find examples of expressive ceilings

The ceilings in a home can be as unique as the home itself.  Check out the higher-end model homes in your neighborhood which often contain one or more of these ceiling approaches. 

But before you buy, find out what will be included in the home you purchase, versus the loaded model.  

If you're a do-it-yourself kind of person, you may be able to add more trimwork to your home later, but keep in mind that it will be nearly impossible to add a trey ceiling or increase a room's height after framing has been completed.

Each of the ceilings pictured has been created by Stanton Homes.  We take pride in crafting a unique combination of ceiling treatments in each home we build - including dozens of styles of trey ceilings. 

Custom Building a Home in the Raleigh Area

As a Raleigh custom home builder, we have a unique perspective on the home building process, and are happy to share our expertise. 

No matter who you choose to build your new home, we suggest that you make sure to walk through homes by that builder that will be finished at a similar level to the home you've chosen, or have your builder's representative point out any optional features in a model home that you have chosen not to include in your new home.

Check out our series on building a custom home in the Raleigh area, and good luck with your new home!

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