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
