I build in northwest Iowa, in an area where no building code is enforced. This has allowed me to experiment with many different cathedral ceiling designs over the years. When a new technique works, you look pretty smart; when it doesn't, you do what it takes to correct the problem, maintain your credibility, and keep your client happy. To quote Brian Curran, one of the first builders of superinsulated housing in the U.S., "It's easy to tell who the pioneers are— they're the ones with the arrows in their behinds!" I've taken my share of arrows over time; perhaps this article can save you from taking a few over cathedral ceilings. Cathedral Ceilings—Only Part of the Big Picture For
