Ceilings

Most ceilings are essentially horizontal walls, built using the same materials and methods as their vertical counterparts. They consist of wood framing members-joists rather than wall studs-and normally are clad with drywall or plaster. The conventional ceiling is 8 feet high and flat, a norm that corresponds to standard construction practices and material sizes.

Some ceilings depart from these norms for either structural, spatial or decorative reasons. Perhaps the most familiar departure is the cathedral ceiling that angles upward from walls to peak, following the roof's pitch. Such a ceiling adds drama and a sense of spaciousness to a room. On the downside, a room with cathedral or higher-than-normal ceilings can be more expensive to heat because warm air rises to the upper part of the room.

More decorative ceilings may be clad or covered with wood paneling or, in the case of some old, classic ceilings, pressed metal.

Another familiar variation is the suspended ceiling. This type, often used to lower a too-high ceiling or to hide cracks and mechanical equipment, consists of a metal grid that receives removable panels. The entire apparatus is suspended from the ceiling joists or existing ceiling.

Ceilings are built in a variety of shapes. A conventional ceiling is flat; standard height is 8 feet. Cathedral and shed ceilings follow the roofline. A coved ceiling is rounded at the corners; a tray ceiling has a vertical or angled soffit around the perimeter. Vaulted ceiling rolls up into a half-barrel shape. Suspended ceiling is a second, flat ceiling that hangs beneath the original ceiling.

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