Vaulted Or Conventional? House Digest Survey Reveals The Best Type Of Ceiling For Your Home

Nowadays, there are two main types of ceilings: conventional and vaulted. According to Millennial Homeowner, many two-story conventional homes have eight-foot ceilings on the top floor and nine feet on the bottom. This arrangement may appeal to some because it's usually cheap and straightforward to build. However, these lower ceilings can also make a home feel smaller and more cramped. On the other hand, vaulted ones, sometimes called cathedral ceilings, can be anywhere from 12 to 15 feet tall at the highest point. Some homeowners choose this appearance because it creates an impressive look and an airy feel.

To discover which of these options is more popular, we asked 612 people which type they would prefer in their homes. Along with the two choices listed above, participants could also choose beamed, sloped, dimensional, or drop ceilings. Below, you'll discover if the conventional or vaulted style is the more popular and how the other choices stack up.

In the battle between conventional and vaulted ceilings, our survey discovered that most people prefer conventional, as it was chosen by 182 participants, which was 29.74% of the vote. Vaulted ceilings, on the other hand, got 166 votes, which was 27.12% of respondents.

With the increased interest in vaulted ceilings, this may come as a shock to some. However, while the vaulted style provides a grand appearance and may make a home feel more spacious, they still have some notable downsides. For instance, those with high ceilings may find it far more expensive to regulate the space's temperature and probably experience more chilly drafts. Further, cleaning these elevated surfaces or the decorations and fixtures hanging from them can be tricky since they're suspended at such inconvenient heights. On the other hand, conventional types may be more appealing because, while they could make a room feel smaller, they also provide a cozy and homey feel. 

The next most popular option was beamed, which received 22.22% of the vote and was chosen by 136 people. Exposed wood or metal beams are popular in homes with a  farmhouse, rustic, or industrial design. Drop ceilings, typically used in basements, came next, getting 11.44% and 70 votes. According to Rescon Basement Solutions, this choice would make it easy to access plumbing and electrical work since panels hang down a few inches below the exposed part of the ceiling.

The least popular options were sloped and dimensional; sloped gained 4.90% of the vote and was chosen by 30 participants, while dimensional got 4.58% and 28 votes. Typically seen in attics, the sloped style differs from vaulted ceilings because it doesn't have to extend higher than a conventional one; In fact, the edge closest to the wall may be much shorter than eight feet. Dimensional types can have many different looks, but they're all textured or have interesting paneling. While not very sought after, this artistic choice is a nice option for homeowners seeking a unique aesthetic.