If you're building a new home or renovating, one way to give it a unique look is to use a raked ceiling that slopes rather than lying flat. Here are several considerations to bear in mind.

Different Configurations

A raked ceiling comes in different configurations. A double-raked structure has two slopes that reach a point, as a tent does. This classic shape, also called a cathedral ceiling, follows the contours of a pitched roofline rather than sitting flat. A single-raked ceiling slopes from one side to the other of a room or living area, giving a house a more modern feel.

Raked ceilings can be adapted to your house, so you can build your version. If you have an open-plan area with a kitchen on one side and large windows on the other, the ceiling could be lower over the kitchen, making it cosier. On the higher side, where it meets the exterior wall, you could build stunningly large windows. To draw attention to their height, set feature windows along the top where they meet the ceiling.

Additionally, a raked ceiling doesn't have to cover an entire space. Your builders could configure it to meet a flat ceiling at one end with a comfortable TV den area, for example.

Lack of Ceiling Cavity

One thing to consider with a raked ceiling is that it uses the area that usually creates the crawl space. This ceiling cavity is commonly accessed to install lights, insulation, and an air conditioner. Because a raked ceiling reduces this space, it can cause inconvenience, and some updates, such as rewiring the lights, can be trickier. It may be possible that an air conditioner be installed in another part of the house, where the ceiling is flat and the crawl space is preserved.

Spaciousness

A raked ceiling has appeal because of the feeling of spaciousness it creates. The walls may be in the same spot, and a room's floor area may not be huge, but a raked ceiling can make it feel airy and expansive. After all, the higher ceiling is adding space to the room, but upward rather than to the side. With the extra drama of space, you can use bigger furniture that may appear too bulky in the same room with a lower ceiling.

Bear in mind that raked ceilings can make it harder to heat and cool your house as there are more cubic meters to cover. Heating is particularly tricky as warm air rises and hovers around the ceiling, and this effect will be more pronounced when it's higher.

Contact a builder to learn more.