I am in the process of having a house designed. The childrens rooms will be about 12X12 and we are planning to vault the ceiling such that in each room they start at 8′ high at the outside wall and slope up to about 11 or 12′ at the inside wall (which has a bathroom on the other side.
I’ve heard differing opinions on whether this is a good idea aesthetically and psyshologically. Some people say that the vaulted ceiling will really add to the room. I have also heard that it may be hard to sleep in – less cozy I guess – and a flat 8′ ceiling may be better.
Does anyone have an opinion or know a good source of guidelines on this topic?
Bill Smith
Replies
There is an article on ceiling height in "Not So Big Solutions" by Susanka, pp. 88-92.
This article suggests that the vaulted ceiling in a bedroom can be "unpleasant," but also suggests a way to fix the problem with a "floating shelf."
I think there are a few issues to consider.
First, I think that the space should be thought of from an architectural point. If I understand you, you are descriping a sloped ceiling rater than a true cathedral. Is that appropriate for the home? if the home is traditional in any way (ie. not modern), I think that i would vote against it. A cathedral would be more appropriate.
The volume of the room is important. 12 by 12 isn't very big, so an 11 foot ceiling at one end would strike me as odd. I can see the comments about feeling uncomfortable. As the room is square, you can slope it in any direction. (there is a "proper" way, where most designers like the slope to be paralell to the long axis.)
I this case, I think I would cathedral it. In other words, slope up to the mid point of the room, then back down to your starting ceiling point. If it is an outside room, I would keep the peak running paralell to the outside wall. I wouldn't get too crazy with the height at the peak either. A slope of 4/12, which would result in a peak of 10 feet give or take a bit would be best, I think.
Of course, this is just an opinion, I am not a degreed architect. I do design/build projects, but my opinion is just that...another opinion!
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I think that shape would feel very uncomfortable. Additionally you would be adding to your detailing for the insulation/ventilation VB package design.
If I wanted the cathedral for something different and to increase the volumn of the room, I would make it half cathedral so that each room has a reversed pitch to give a tent-like look and feel, which kids would probably like. If you roof is steep enough - sounds like it is - you can do it with dropping the cieling to a slightly lower pitch and increase the space above on the one side for insulation and ventilation
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
Yes, that's exactly what I am describing. Each ceiling slopes up from the outside of the house and they meet at an imaginary point above the middle of the bathroom which is between the two rooms.
So in each room, one side (at exterior wall) is 8' high. At the other side of the room, it's 11 or 12.
Bill
No, Not the same. What I am saying is to have each bedroom vault to a peak in the middle of the room./! is what you are describing^!^ is what I am describing. With my suggestion, the peak would be about ten feet high. comprende?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Si
Like this
left is yours, right mine. House drawn 24' wide with 4/12 roof and 3/12 cielings
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Yup. Got it (Si = Yes :-) )
I think I am seriously leaning toward just making it a flat ceiling. It's less risky and since it's the kids room there is probably less of a compulsion to try and get too creative with them.
Master Bedroom, however, will have cathedral ceiling pretty much as you described in your right hand drawing with the peak in the center of the room. it's a bigger room and probably a better place to try and go a little dramatic.
ok
Ill be the oddball here, usually am
vault the ceiling !!
I dont care what anyone says, it makes a space bigger, if done right
and a kids room, wow, throw the bunkbeds in the high side
the only time I have ever run into a problem with a vaulted ceiling is when the vault was higher then the longest wall
meaning dont throw a vault of 17 feet into a room with the longest wall of 12 feet, turns it into a elevator shaft.
but in all of the homes I have built, I have never ran into a problem where the owners complained about a vault ( unless an "elevator")
what I have run into is where part of the home is vaulted and the owners said
why didnt I do that "over here", too many times
cozy, yeah cozy is nice
stand next to the woodstove
and if the rooms are small , like 12' wide, as much as I reapect Piffins posts, I would not do what he drew. Maybe if the rooms werer much bigger
but hey thats me
and if you dont agree, thats cool,
dont go away mad, just go away
Edited 3/16/2005 5:47 pm ET by Isamemon
Edited 3/16/2005 5:51 pm ET by Isamemon
Edited 3/16/2005 5:52 pm ET by Isamemon
If you have the budget to play with the ceiling, I would highly reccomend it. But you can do a lot better than a shed vault. Avoid any angle greater than 90 degrees (unless it is some sort of statement) and be creative. How often does anyone get a chance to design their house? Have fun, man.
i don't know about the rest of you guys, but when i was a little kid i would have loved a higher bedroom ceiling and a sturdier, bouncier bed- or trampoline- to go with it!
m
Here is something you might consider.
See the attached .pdf print. You are looking at a truss-framed roof sitting atop the upper floor of a 2-story house, with all of its bedrooms on this floor.
Roof pitch shown is 7:12, trusses are on 24" centers, wall heights at exterior walls are 7'-4 1/2", which was achieved using typical plating and 7/0 studs.
You can see a "shed vault" in the near room, which is a bathroom, and a "hipped tray vault" in the master bedroom, done with the truss bottom chord shapes, plus some added stick framing.
The bathroom shed vault raises 12 inches, while the hipped tray raises 16 inches.
Qualifications:
Credit where credit is due.
Edited 3/14/2005 11:32 am ET by Gene Davis
I have read similar things including SS books and articles and also a book written back in the 60" called a Pattern Language all says this.
And I agree with the concept of lowered ceilings for "cozy spaces".
However, my MB does not follow it and I love it.
It is about 12 x 14.
It has a "shed" ceiling raising to about 14" with a clearstory window on the high wall. That faces the east.
Also on the high wall I have strip flourscent lights in a cove at about 8ft. It lights up the upper part of the wall and the ceiling.
When I said greater than 90 degrees I meant less then 90. sorry, too early.