Cathedral ceiling structures are generally elongated curved forms, whose monumentality creates a sense of awe. These curved forms are called vaults and they can also be used in smaller-scale spaces like homes, industries and commercial buildings. Apart from its visual appearance, a vaulted ceiling has several benefits. In this blog, discover how to define vault roofs, the properties and types of vaults and the materials that can be used to build them. Read on to learn more.
What is Vault Construction?
A vault is an elongated curved structure that is used to create roofs in architecture. It can generally be defined as an arched structure that is extended to form a ceiling. A vaulted ceiling is characterised by an arch or a curve that reaches its maximum height along the center of the width of a room or space. Generally supported on side supports like load bearing walls or beams and columns, vaults have been a common type of roofing form since prehistoric times, especially in public buildings.
Types of Vaults in Architecture
Based on their shape and design, vaults can be classified into various types. Some of the common types are:
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Barrel Vault
A barrel vault ceiling is formed by a series of semicircular arches. Also known as a wagon vaulted roof, this vault can be visualised as one half of a cylinder cut along its length. It requires structural supports on only two sides along its length. Barrel vaults are the most simple and commonly used type of vaults and are ideal for covering elongated spaces like corridors.
Ribbed Vault
Ribbed vaults have additional structural elements, known as ribs, that help carry excess load and provide support to the roof structure. Such vaults have a pointed apex rather than a curved one. They are often used as multiple units joined together or intersected, with the joints being supported by ribs. Thus, such vaults can be used to cover spaces with different shapes like squares and rectangles.
Groin Vault
Two barrel vaults (with the same radius) intersecting each other at right angles form a groin vault. Groin vaults require support on all the four corners where they come down. This support is generally provided by columns, thus creating a skeletal framework which was a structural innovation during Roman times. Groin vaults are ideal for covering square shaped spaces like living rooms in homes.
Fan Vault
A fan vault has multiple ribs that form the shape of a fan and provide additional support to the structure. Historically, multiple fan vaults placed next to each other were used to create roofs that were extremely intricate and decorative. Such vaults are not typically used in modern construction except for in religious buildings.
Vaulted Roof Materials
A vault can be constructed using several modern as well as traditional roofing materials, such as:
- Stone: Stones like marble, sandstone and granite have been used to create vaulted structures for thousands of years, proving their immense durability. Although heavy and requiring extensive manual labour to construct, stone vaults do not require any finishing and are naturally aesthetic.
- Brick: Brick vaults need skilled manual labour and time to build. However, these are more lightweight than stone vaults and provide thermal insulation that can help keep rooms cool. Vaults made with machine-made or wire-cut bricks can be left exposed without any finishing to provide a rustic aesthetic.
- Concrete: Concrete of various types, like Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC), Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) and precast concrete can be used to construct vaults. This is much easier and faster to build than masonry vaults, but typically requires customised shuttering.
- Metal: Metals like steel and aluminium can be used to create the framework for vaulted structures, which can then be covered with roofing sheets of any material. Such vaults are lightweight and quick to construct.
Apart from these commonly used roofing materials, innovative technologies and materials like ferrocement, composite materials (such as FRP or fibre reinforced plastic) and tensile fabrics can also be used for constructing a vaulted roof.
Benefits of a Vaulted Roof
- Increased Height: A vaulted roof has a curved or pointed apex that rises from its base height, thus increasing the overall room height. This increased height can make rooms look and feel much larger and grander than they actually are, which is especially beneficial for compact rooms in tight urban plots.
- Better Acoustics: Echo of sound is reduced due to the increased height provided by a vaulted ceiling. Overall room acoustics are also enhanced due to better and more uniform sound distribution. This is helpful in spaces like home theatres and auditoriums.
- Natural Air Movement: In any room, hot air rises up vertically to be replaced by cool air below. This natural air movement is enhanced in rooms with vaulted roofs due to the increased height, which helps hot air rise more easily and facilitates the flow of cool breezes.
- Structural Stability: Vaulted roofs are self-supporting and can span across very large spaces with no intermediate supports. They are ideal for rooms that require uninterrupted spaces like large halls, theatres and parking structures.
Limitations of a Vaulted Ceiling
Although a vault can add aesthetic and functional value to homes and commercial buildings, it presents many challenges, such as:
- HVAC Considerations: Due to the increased height, rooms with vaulted ceilings require lights, fans and other electrical equipment that are very powerful or largely sized in order to ensure adequate coverage. This can lead to an increased expenditure on equipment and utility bills.
- Unusable Upper Area: The top surfaces of flat roofs can be used as terraces or function as the base for upper floors. However, this is not possible with vaulted ceilings. Additionally, vaulted roofs necessitate catwalks to provide access to their upper surfaces.
- Maintenance: An increase in the ceiling height means that a vaulted roof is difficult to clean and maintain. Simple tasks like cleaning cobwebs or changing lightbulbs often require professional help or expensive equipment.
- Cost: Concrete vaults need special and customised shuttering to construct, while masonry vaults require extensive and skilled labour. Thus, vaults are significantly more expensive to build than conventional flat roofs.
Opting for Vault Architecture
A vaulted ceiling can be a visually pleasing element to incorporate in different types of spaces. However, the many limitations of such a ceiling must be considered before opting for it, especially in residential construction. Brick & Bolt is a company that provides end-to-end construction services, aided by a team of expert architects who make such choices simpler. Customised floor plans and designs are created for every project, guaranteeing customer satisfaction as well as absolute transparency in the process. For ensuring functionality combined with aesthetics while building your dream home, contact Brick & Bolt today!
Hemali Patel 