Are you planning to vault your ceiling, and you're wondering how it will cost? We got you covered! Here is what we found from our research into this subject.
The cost depends on whether you vault your ceiling in new construction or convert an existing ceiling in your home. For new constructions, the cost ranges from $16,000-$21,000. On the other hand, it costs around $18,000-$35,000 to convert an existing ceiling to a vaulted one.
But what if you only want to vault the ceiling on a specific area of your home? Does it entail a lower cost, and how much? Are there other types of vault ceilings? Continue reading as we answer these questions in the succeeding sections!
Why Is It More Expensive To Convert An Existing Ceiling To A Vaulted One vs. Installing One In New Construction?
Converting an existing ceiling to a vaulted one entails additional costs because it requires more workload for the following tasks:
- shifting HVAC equipment
- relocating plumbing & electrical lines
- tearing down old ceilings
- modifying rafters
Adding a vaulted ceiling to an existing house is exceedingly challenging. It often necessitates significant engineering adjustments, such as installing new reinforcing beams and vertical columns. It also requires modifying your structure's attic framework to appropriately support the roofline.
Additionally, you have to reroute your electrical and plumbing lines. To circumvent the space, you must lengthen existing cables, remove obstruction-causing cables, and move junction boxes occasionally.
Furthermore, most modifications interfere with existing HVAC ducts that you must relocate to maintain the system. Vital HVAC-related hardware parts also need a new place if you're taking down an attic that contains them.
How Much Does It Cost To Vault Or Raise A Ceiling In Specific Areas Of Your House? [Inc. Living Area, Bathroom, Kitchen, Bedroom, Garage, & Basement]
![Amazing modern and rustic luxury kitchen with vaulted ceiling and wooden beams, long island with white quarts countertop and dark wood cabinets., How Much Does It Cost To Vault Or Raise A Ceiling In Specific Areas Of Your House? [Inc. Living Area, Bathroom, Kitchen, Bedroom, Garage, & Basement]](https://hvacseer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/13.-HOW-MUCH-DOES-IT-COST-TO-VAULT-A-CEILING.jpg)
The cost will vary depending on where in the house you choose to put the vaulted ceiling because of stability and space issues.
Here are the estimated costs if you want to vault the ceiling of your living area, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, garage, and basement.
- Living Area- $18,000 - $25,000
- Bathroom, Kitchen, & Bedroom- $12,000 - $18,000
- Garage- $18,000 - $35,000
- Basement- $10,000 - $90,000
What Are The Common Areas In Your House That Are Best For Vault Ceilings?
Location is one of the factors you should look into if you want to vault your ceiling. And in this section, we'll give you the most common rooms suitable for vaulted ceilings.
Living Area
The living room serves as both the hub of family activities and the primary gathering place, so it is one of the most frequently vaulted rooms.
Vaulting the living area ceiling gives the room a more prominent and lighter impression with a higher ceiling and open atmosphere.
Kitchen
The cost of vaulting the ceiling of your kitchen may vary depending on its size. Vaulting your kitchen ceiling can be a stunning design choice.
The main problem you'll run into with a kitchen remodel is the location of the exhaust hoods. Since there is no typical ceiling to vent your hood, you need to find another way.
Bathroom
A fantastic technique to make a bathroom feel open and breezy is to vault the ceiling.
However, handling the humidity of the bathroom can become an issue. Installing an exhaust fan will be impossible, given the vaulted ceiling's height and form. As a result, mold and mildew can grow in your bathroom if the humidity issue is not addressed.
Bedroom
Installing vaulted ceilings is good when you have a bedroom in the middle of your house. This is a relatively straightforward approach to transforming a standard bedroom into the main bedroom.
How Much Does A Vault Ceiling Cost Based On Its Design Type?
The table below shows various vaulted ceiling types available— each with its characteristics, price points, and best place to use them.
|
Vault Ceiling Type |
Characteristics | Cost |
Best Place To Use |
| Dome | As the name suggests, this vaulted ceiling type is an arched ceiling set back from the typical ceiling. | $4,800 - $10,000 | Entryways, master bathroom, studies |
| Groin | This type is constructed by crossing two-barrel vaults and is typically square-shaped and designed with a point in the center. | $4,800 - $10,000 | not typically used in residential architecture, usually seen in cathedrals |
| Barrel | The barrel vault ceiling is developed from the dome type. The shape of this vaulted ceiling type is like the half of a cylindrical barrel which moves along a straight, simple slope from wall to wall. | $5,000 - $10,200 | kitchen, dining room, media room, entryway |
| Rib | The design of this vault ceiling type is more adaptable and frequently used in rooms with unusual shapes or sizes since they are made of numerous separate archings. | $4,800 - $10,000 | perfect for gothic style construction, cathedrals |
| Cathedral | Cathedral vaulted ceilings feature angular shapes and are the most difficult to construct in an existing home. Additionally, depending on your roof's setup, you need significant roof alterations to maximize the impact by leaving the rafters visible. | $16,000 - $35,000 | living area, bedroom, bathroom, |
Do Vaulted Ceilings Affect Your House's Energy Cost?
Yes, they do. Although vaulted ceilings offer advantages like adding aesthetic appeal and creating a sense of vast space, they also consume a lot of energy. Heating or cooling a larger space will cost more than a small one.
Additionally, heat naturally rises because the cool air is denser than hot air, which drives up your HVAC expenditures. It makes your HVAC equipment work harder than it usually does.
Moreover, insulation issues are rampant with vaulted ceilings, and low insulation levels mean a lower R-value. When the R-value of your insulation is low, it is easier for heat to enter and escape your house. As a result, it takes longer to maintain the desired indoor temperature.
How Do You Reduce Your Energy Cost If You Have Vaulted Ceilings?
Aside from the initial cost of installing a vaulted ceiling, you also need to shoulder the effects of having one through your energy bill.
In this section, we'll give you tips on how to be cost-efficient with your energy bills from having a home with vaulted ceilings.
Tip #1: Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans will enhance air circulation when you place them in the warmest parts of the area. You should install them at the correct height and preferably close to west-facing windows. Using them can even reduce summertime heat by 4 degrees.
Using wider ceiling fan paddles will circulate more air and effectively cool your place.
Click here for this ceiling fan on Amazon!
Tip #2: Enhance Insulation
One of the most efficient ways to save energy is appropriately insulating your vaulted ceiling. On average, you can save up to 11% on your total energy bills and 15% on heating and cooling expenses, based on a program of Energy Star.
The most affordable option for insulating your vaulted ceiling is batt insulation.
Click here for this insulation roll on Amazon!
Tip #3: Upgrade Your HVAC Equipment
If you think your current HVAC equipment capacity can't maintain the required indoor temperature, then it's time to upgrade it. You can add the capacity of your HVAC unit by adding 1-2 BTUs to effectively cool vaulted ceiling rooms.
Tip #4: Install Bigger Windows
Natural ventilation is a cheap and effective way to cool your house.
In addition to the ceiling fans, big window panels are frequently used to perfectly complement vaulted ceilings. They maximize ventilation and permit natural illumination to manage moisture movement in your home.
Tip #5: Regularly Have And Energy Audit
This is one of the first steps toward having a cost-efficient HVAC system. Let an energy specialist inspect your house to look for wasted energy.
By doing so, you may decide which improvements will increase comfort and reduce energy costs.
Tip #6: Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
You save up to 25-80% of electricity when you use CFLs or LED bulbs compared to conventional light bulbs. Additionally, these energy-saving bulbs reduce energy expenses without producing more heat.
Moreover, these bulbs last longer, up to 25 times, than conventional ones. Although the initial cost is more expensive, the savings you will incur in the long run is worth making the switch.
Click here for this LED bulb set on Amazon!
Tip #7: Use the Advantage Of Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is a good idea to control your HVAC system when you are asleep or when you're away for a vacation.
Installing a smart thermostat allows you to reduce your heating and cooling energy usage without altering your HVAC system or compromising comfort.
Click here for this smart thermostat on Amazon!
Final Thoughts
It costs more to vault an existing ceiling than to construct a new one. Furthermore, the costs of vaulting a ceiling may vary depending on the area where you wish to install one and the vault ceiling type you want.
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