On a recent remodel, I had the chance to
build a barrel-vault ceiling that transformed a
small, plain-jane space into one that reminded
us why it is we like to build. The finished room
brought smiles of appreciation from all who
entered it — including the architect and, most
importantly, the owner.
The vaulted ceiling was nonloadbearing.
Since roof loads were carried by a shed roof
above, our structure had to be only strong
enough to carry the weight of a 12-foot-long
plaster ceiling. This particular vault did not
form a full semicircle, but the construction
details we worked out would also work for a
full, 180-degree vault.
Our first tasks were to locate the