How To Build A Vaulted Ceiling Roof

Without joists the walls can bow outward and the roof ridge line may sag.

How to build a vaulted ceiling roof. A professional carpenter may be able to apply this method to your existing flat ceiling to convert it to a vaulted ceiling. If your house has low ceilings building vaulted ceilings may be the answer. Contributing editor scott mcbride replies. If you decide to construct a vaulted ceiling check with your local office regarding building permits and consult with an experienced structural engineer to ensure safety.

These horizontal framing members tie a building s outer walls together and resist the outward force exerted by the roof rafters in conventional framing. If your home is a modest size single story tract home with standard 8 foot ceilings it s an ideal candidate for vaulting a ceiling. Nick noyes architecture cesar rubio photography. The trick in framing a vaulted ceiling is figuring out what to do with the ceiling joists.

The simplest way to get a vaulted ceiling is by setting vaulted roof trusses. Finally traditional fiberglass insulation works well in cathedral ceilings although a 2 inch breathing space between the insulation and the roof sheathing must be included. If the roof was built with traditional rafter and joist construction the ceiling joists. A dramatic cathedral ceiling makes a strong statement in a home s interior but make sure to follow the best practices to eliminate mold and wood rot while also saving money on lumber and materials.

Vaulted ceilings can be constructed by either stick framing which means attaching each joist and rafter individually or by setting roof trusses that come engineered from a truss manufacturer. For example spray foam insulation helps create an air tight seal that eliminates the need for ridge and soffit venting. To convert a truss roof to a vaulted ceiling you may need to do significant reconstruction of the roof. Depending on how steep your roof pitch is vaulting a 20 by 20 foot room.

Another possible way to renovate a flat ceiling into a vaulted ceiling is by adding lumber to the existing roof rafters to make them deep enough to accommodate the appropriate insulation. A plain flat ceiling gable is actually a procession of light trusses usually spaced 16 in.