| Found in both residential homes and commercial | | | | architecture, and can be seen particularly all over the |
| buildings, the barrel-vaulted ceiling technique is used to | | | | West coast of the U.S., in cities as well as in the |
| shape, direct and focus indirect light from multiple | | | | countryside. |
| Building with barrel-roof directions throughout the day | | | | As barrel-vaulted ceilings help bring natural light |
| and night with various shapes, locations and sizes of | | | | indoors to make spaces look larger than life, this |
| windows. This system ultimately creates very unique | | | | technique is particularly applicable in any setting that |
| and intimate modern interiors using integrated sources | | | | has great views, or stands within majestic |
| of natural light and designed uses of lighting. | | | | landscapes, the Northwest being a great example. |
| "What homeowners may not be aware of is that | | | | The gentle arched form located both inside and out |
| barrel-vaulted roofing is actually very affordable, and | | | | gives a property a very soft rolling form, and acts as |
| can easily be placed in a custom home to | | | | a bridge between indoor and outdoor spaces framing |
| complement the size and scale of interior furnishings," | | | | the views of outside elements and enhancing indoor |
| explains Patrick McBride, Principal at GMS Architectural | | | | spaces, e.g. a swimming pool, vistas or a great |
| Group. "The additional cost of installing a | | | | landscaped garden. |
| barrel-vaulted roof only adds about five to 10 | | | | "Once the barrel-vault structure is in place, |
| percent of the cost of a traditional ceiling and roofing | | | | homeowners have unlimited opportunities to |
| truss system. In addition, a barrel-vault roof is a very | | | | compliment their new space above and below the |
| green technique as it uses metal roofing that is | | | | vault," concludes McBride. "With the use of exterior |
| long-lasting and re-usable. The initial investment may | | | | and interior lighting, windows and suspended acoustic |
| be a little more than a regular roof at the outset, but | | | | clouds, homeowners can make their home unique. |
| what homeowners get in return is over 50 years of | | | | Lighting and acoustic consultants become important |
| virtually maintenance-free roofing. And because metal | | | | when selecting the most appropriate energy-efficient |
| roofing is very lightweight, it does not take any more | | | | options. Accent lighting of appliances and fixtures |
| effort to erect than a regular system." | | | | capture the inherent character of a vaulted ceiling. |
| Barrel-vault roof systems are nothing new. They are | | | | If you are looking to wow your friends and family, |
| known from Ancient Egypt and Italy, and were used | | | | this is definitely a technique well worth discussing with |
| extensively in Roman architecture. They can be seen | | | | your remodeling professionals. Featuring a nice area |
| all over Europe. In medieval Europe, the barrel vault | | | | of your home, such as an entrance hall, a formal |
| was an important element of stone and masonry | | | | dining area, or a combined dining and living room, this |
| construction in cathedrals, monasteries, castles, tower | | | | historic roofing and ceiling method always feels new |
| houses, cellars, crypts, cloisters and great halls. | | | | and fresh, and most of all, it will add nicely to the |
| Nowadays, this technique is better known in modern | | | | resale value of your home. |