Show Us Yours..............Your Ceiling That Is

The American dictionary defines a ceiling as "the undersurface of the top of the room". However, I recently read a much better definition of a ceiling as being the "crowning glory of a room". I think many people look at ceilings as being merely functional: a great place to hide wiring and other mechanical systems. We spend a good deal of money remodeling our homes. We put in new bathrooms and new cabinets in our kitchens. We retile our floors. All of these things we do in the hopes of increasing the value of our homes. Some of these endeavors cost us a great deal of money.

So what can we do with our ceilings? It turns out there are many things we can do and for a lot less than some of the examples above. It's about time to put our ceilings on display. There are several types of ceilings that can be found throughout our homes, providing options during new construction or remodeling. There are also several further decorative options available should we choose to further adorn our ceilings. This article will focus specifically on the common types of ceilings .

Plain Flat Ceilings

The simple plain type of ceiling is usually constructed of flat plaster or Sheetrock. This type of ceiling is ideal for various decorative techniques, such as textured plaster and raised patterns. Decorative moldings and ceiling medallions can also be added. You can buy moldings and ceiling medallions plain and then paint them or you can purchase them custom painted.

Vaulted Ceilings

The vaulted ceiling is constructed on the principle of the arch. Vaulted ceilings are usually round, or barrel-shaped, and painted as would be found in a Gothic church. A groin vault where two barrels intersect perpendicularly is another type of vaulted ceiling. This type of ceiling was developed by the Romans but remains popular today.

Cathedral Ceilings

A cathedral ceiling is a pointed ceiling with two sloping sides. Cathedral ceilings open up the space in your home. They add grandeur to large spaces.

Ceiling Domes

Ceiling domes are bowl-shaped rounded ceilings. Rotundas, often seen in State Capital buildings, are ceiling domes of great magnitude. Domes can be flat and dish-shaped or they can be deep and high. Ceiling domes draw the eye upward creating an expansive feeling. Shallow recessed domes used in an entryway or dining area can create a space of great dignity and elegance.

Beamed Ceilings

Beamed ceilings expose rafters and trusses in a decorative way. Beamed ceilings can create a rustic feel to your home. You have the option of the simple, rough-hewn look or you can create rich carvings that you paint.

Coffered Ceilings

Coffered ceilings are boxes constructed in the recesses between the beams and cross-beams of your ceiling. In architecture, a coffer is a sunken panel in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon that serves as a decorative device . an example of this can be found in the ceiling of the rotunda dome in the roman pantheon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffer).

Coved Ceiling

Coved ceilings are formed with a curved radius or a straight angle where the wall meets the ceiling. The absence of sharp right angles softens the effect of each room where it is used.

This article covered the types of ceilings commonly found throughout homes built throughout the world. There are numerous other decorative ideas in addition, that will further enhance the beauty of any room. You can add dimension, depth and history. You can create an atmosphere that says this is who I am. We'll talk about other decorative ideas and features another time, so keep coming back. If you've done something really creative with the ceilings in your home, send me your pics. I'll post them here on my blog with your name. You are proud of your home. Now it's time to show it off! Send them to http://www.goceilingmedallion.com/Contact_Us.html.