barrel ceiling
Charlotte Adams
Updated on June 01, 2026
A barrel vault is the simplest form of a vault created from a single continuous archway. These beautiful curved ceilings are comprised of 3 basic measurements: Length, Width, and Rise. Length: The distance from one end of the barrel vault to the other end.
Is a barrel ceiling expensive?
Barrel Vault Kits from Archways & Ceilings are very affordable. Let us give you some examples so you can see what we mean. A 4ft long by 6ft wide elliptical barrel ceiling costs $134.28 (and takes less than 15 minutes to install!)
What is the benefit of a barrel vault?
ADVANTAGES: Barrel vaults give 3x more light than a similar surface in vertical glazing. Barrel vaults ensure an optimal spread of light. Natural light is free: you regain the purchase of the Cintralux® within 5 years.
What is a barrel arch?
Definition of barrel arch
: an arch resembling a segment of a barrel in that its length is considerable compared to its span.
What does a barrel vault look like?
A barrel vault is a continuous arched shape that may approximate a semi-cylinder in form, resembling the roof of a tunnel, or may be pointed at its apex. It is typically formed by a series of arches or vaults placed side by side or by a continuous shell.
What are barrel and groin vaults?
A barrel vault (also called a cradle vault, tunnel vault, or wagon vault) has a semicircular cross section. A groin (or cross) vault is formed by the perpendicular intersection of two barrel vaults. A rib (or ribbed) vault is supported by a series of arched diagonal ribs that divide the vault’s surface into panels.
Is it more expensive to have vaulted ceilings?
While the end cost is heavily dependent on where you build and the unique design of your home, vaulted ceilings do cost more to build than the usual shorter ceilings. You’ll need a plan to mitigate higher heating and cooling costs. The simple truth is that vaulted ceilings make a room more expensive to heat.
What are the disadvantages of a barrel vault?
The disadvantage of a barrel vault, however is that it exerts thrust the same way the arch does. Meaning, the vault exerts an outward thrust and thus must be buttressed along the entire length. This characteristic prevented the use of large windows as well as prevented easy circulation.
How does a barrel vault work?
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design.
What are barrel vaults made of?
barrel vault, ceiling or roof consisting of a series of semicylindrical arches.
What is a arched barrel roof?
A barrel roof is a curved roof that, especially from below, is curved like a cut-away barrel. They have some advantages over dome roofs, especially being able to cover rectangular buildings, due to their uniform cross-section. Barrel vaults are a particular form of barrel roof.
Is a cathedral ceiling the same as a vaulted ceiling?
While a cathedral ceiling has equal sloping sides that are parallel to the actual pitch of the roof, a vaulted ceiling does not follow the roof’s pitch, with more styles to choose from.
Who invented barrel vault?
The barrel vault is the most elemental and ancient of the vaulting types, documented from as far back as 4000BC; it was used by the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Nubians, and Romans.
When were vaulted ceilings invented?
In architectural terms, a vaulted ceiling is a self-supporting arch above walls and beneath a roof. Some of the first vaulted ceilings can be traced back to a neolithic village in Crete, built roughly seven thousand years ago.