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Vaulted ceilings, also called cathedral ceilings, are a unique design element that can instantly make your home feel grand. “A vaulted ceiling is a wow factor that not only creates visual interest, but also provides an opportunity for more natural light,” Normandy Designer Jeremy Paris says.
But including a vaulted ceiling in your home addition isn’t like adding wainscoting or a patio door. It takes some additional planning, and often a bit of extra expense, to ensure that your newly added room feels as good as it looks. Jeremy shared his tips for adding a vaulted ceiling in a home addition.
Vaulted ceilings create that wonderful, airy feeling in a room because you guessed it… there’s more air. That means your furnace and air conditioner need to be up to the challenge of keeping the space warm in the winter and cool in the summer. “It’s fairly common to add a secondary furnace and air conditioner whenever you’re considering a sizable addition, and perhaps even more so when you have a vaulted space,” notes Jeremy. Another reason you may want a dedicated heating and cooling system – more dramatic wall space often leads to more windows.
“Two very common approaches to creating a focal point in a vaulted room is through a striking fireplace or dramatic windows,” says Jeremy. “Depending on the direction the home faces, this may impact how hot or cold the room feels, so having an independent thermostat for this room can be a real benefit. Ceiling fans can help circulate air to help with both heating and cooling.”
Ensuring the room retains those comfortable temperatures also factors in the design of the vaulted ceiling. “Any available attic space between the exterior roof and the interior ceiling needs to be insulated to meet the requirements of the latest energy code,” shares Jeremy. This helps keep temperatures stable and allows the heating and cooling system to operate more efficiently.
Generally, the design of a vaulted ceiling is dictated by the size of the new space, the existing roof slope, and structural considerations. “We want additions to feel like a natural extension of your home, so ideally, the addition will have a roof pitch similar to the rest of your home,” notes Jeremy. Once you have a sense of how high the ceiling will be in your new room, you can begin to work through other ways of bringing drama to the space. “Decorative beams can be a wonderful way to draw attention to the height of the room,” says Jeremy. “A statement light fixture is a popular choice if beams aren’t an option, which also provides the benefit of additional illumination for the room.”
Creating a home addition that wows comes down to more than just a fabulous ceiling. If you’re contemplating adding space to your home, set up a time to talk with Jeremy about the possibilities. You can find photos of home additions we’ve completed in our photo gallery or sign up for our monthly newsletter to get design inspiration delivered right to your inbox. For regular updates on design trends and tips on home remodeling, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest!
Out with the old oak, and in with the new. While oak has always been a durable wood for home interiors, the orange hue and pronounced grain of honey oak (red oak stained with a golden color) is being replaced by the fresh-faced white oak species. We spoke with Normandy Designer 
“Being able to use a wide variety of complementary stains in one area showcases the versatility of white oak, and the options available when moving away from orangey tones,” Ashley says.
