Ceilings Perth have several important functions, including regulating room temperature and acoustic conditioning. They can also be decorative elements, displaying murals or other types of ornamentation.
With a variety of materials, colors, and textures, ceiling design offers endless possibilities. This article explores a few of the most common options.
Wood beam ceilings, also called exposed rafters or timber beams, highlight structural shapes above rooms and create visual interest in living areas. Natural wooden beams, whether left bare or stained in rich tones, add a timeless, organic appeal that complements the furniture and fixtures below. Beams may be crafted from solid or faux wood, with functional or decorative features attached, including extra moldings or other ornamentation.
Wood ceiling beams are a common choice in log homes, cabins, and rustic-style houses. They’re also a great way to add character to an existing home, especially if the original ceiling was drywall or plaster. The use of real beams can be quite costly if you’re renovating an older house, but there are plenty of options for less expensive alternatives such as using reclaimed wood or installing ready-made faux ceiling beams.
When used correctly, exposed ceiling beams can be a stunning addition to any room, providing texture and warmth that enhance the character of your home. They can also hide flaws like sagging or bowing ceilings, as well as conceal plumbing and electrical wiring. If you’re considering the addition of wood beams, talk to your contractor about the type and style that’ll work best for your home.
Many homeowners choose to leave their wooden ceiling beams unpainted for a natural, weathered look. Others opt for painted ceiling beams, with white or neutral colors popular choices. A fresh coat of paint can refresh the look of your wood beams and help them blend with the rest of the interior design.
For a more modern feel, consider using a pale limewash color on your beams. This technique offers the perfect balance between a traditional and modern interior design, celebrating historic techniques while adding a fresh, contemporary hue.
When it comes to real wood beams, it’s important to remember that they will always have some degree of variation in size, color and grain from one piece to the next – though this is part of what makes them so appealing. To achieve a carefully planned and consistent appearance, it’s a good idea to use beams that are the same height, or at least closely similar in size.
Tray Ceilings
Tray ceilings are a design element that adds depth to a room’s overall aesthetic. They are also a great way to make a statement in your space, whether it’s with unique light fixtures or an interesting paint color.
A tray ceiling has a center section that’s several inches, and sometimes even up to a few feet, higher than the surrounding border. The raised center makes the ceiling look like a large, elegant tray. These ceilings are ideal for bedrooms and living spaces, and can be used in conjunction with crown molding to create a sophisticated style.
In addition to being visually appealing, a tray ceiling can also improve the room’s air quality by adding more ventilation. This is important because if you don’t have enough ventilation in your home, it could result in a stuffy, humid interior. In addition, if you have too much moisture in your home, it can lead to mold and mildew.
Tray ceilings can be incorporated into your home’s existing structure or added to new construction. If you’re building a new home, it’s often easier to incorporate these features during the construction process. Adding them to an existing home can be more challenging because it may require modifying the ceiling joists or trusses, which can be labor-intensive and require engineering expertise. Permits may also be required.
Another popular option for tray ceilings is to install a cove ceiling. This type of ceiling has a series of sunken panels that can be curved or straight and is commonly found in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas.
One of the most common ways to personalize a tray ceiling is by painting it. This can be done with a single bold color that stands out or with a simple color scheme that accentuates the shape of the ceiling. You can also use a stencil to paint an intricate pattern on the ceiling, or even create a mural.
Another great way to highlight a tray ceiling is by installing different types of lighting. For example, you can use recessed lighting or cove lighting, which will blend in with the ceiling’s shape and add more light to the room. You can also use rope lighting, which consists of long tubes with small lights inside and is installed along the outline of the ceiling. This type of lighting is perfect for entertaining rooms or creating a romantic bedroom setting.
Arched Ceilings
Vault ceilings have been around for centuries and were popular in cathedrals and other church buildings. They became the architectural choice in these types of buildings because of their ability to visually and intangibly make a room larger. Today, vaulted ceilings work well with both modern and traditional home styles. They can be a great way to add a more unique design element to your living space and they often work well with features like wood beams.
Vaulted ceilings do have some drawbacks though. Since heat rises, vaulted ceilings can cause higher energy bills than flat ceilings. In addition, they can be more difficult to maintain as you will need a ladder or special equipment to get to the ceiling to change light bulbs, dust, etc.
There are different types of vaulted ceilings, but the most common type is the barrel vault. A barrel vault is created when two or more arches meet, much like a tunnel or a wine cellar. This style of ceiling works well in most rooms and can add a feeling of luxury to a living space.
Another type of vaulted ceiling is the ribbed vault. This is created when two or more diagonal arches cross each other. This vaulting style was very popular in medieval structures like Gothic cathedrals. It’s not as common in homes but it can be a nice design option for those looking for a more medieval look.
A dome vaulted ceiling is a great choice for those who want a more formal feel to their living spaces. This ceiling is typically found in foyers and entryways but can also be used in primary bedrooms, office spaces and circular staircases. This ceiling is a great option for homeowners who want to create a dramatic focal point in their home.
Cove vaulted ceilings are more subtle than other types of vaulted ceilings and can be very elegant when paired with specific paint colors or molding. They can be a great choice for those who want to create a sophisticated design in their living space but may not have the budget for a more elaborate ceiling type.
Cathedral Ceilings
Vaulted ceilings add a sense of height to living spaces, which can make the room feel bigger. They are a good choice for open-concept homes, and they work well in rooms where the furniture isn’t arranged too close to the ceiling. Cathedral ceilings also provide a nice opportunity for decorative details like beams, tin ceilings or coffered ceilings.
A soaring ceiling offers plenty of space to hang a large chandelier, a style trick that instantly makes a bedroom or dining room feel more luxurious and glamorous. They can also be used to create a woodsy cabin or lodge look, and they work beautifully in rooms with lots of natural light.
The steep sloping sides of cathedral ceilings can be painted to add color and dimension, or left as a smooth white finish. If you want to give your vaulted ceilings a more neutral and contemporary style, choose a soft gray or beige hue that will blend in with the rest of the room’s palette. Neutral shades can help the room feel larger, and they also work better with most decorating styles.
When a home’s roof is designed with cathedral ceilings, it’s important to ensure that the ceiling insulation meets the building code requirements for your climate zone. If the insulation is not properly installed, moisture problems may occur in the attic area, which can lead to the formation of ice dams and icicles during the winter.
The good news is that these moisture issues are easy to correct by installing the proper attic ventilation system. In addition to preventing air and water vapor from rising into the attic, proper ventilation can also prevent heat loss from the living space and premature deterioration of the shingles.
When a home is built with a sloping ceiling, it’s also important to seal the areas around electrical boxes, recessed lights and ceiling fans. Then install a continuous layer of insulation on the entire ceiling to ensure that all the space is well-insulated. If you’re concerned about condensation or moisture damage, consider having a professional conduct a Thermal Imaging assessment to help determine if there are any hidden moisture issues in the walls and ceilings of your home.