Building a cathedral ceiling in a modular home is definitely possible, though there are some limitations to it as a result of the modular building process. In order to build a cathedral ceiling in a modular home, it is required to add a second module on top. The floor of the top module is removed and the two modules get connected into one single double space creating a space with some desirable advantages.
Benefits of building a cathedral ceiling in a modular home:
- Cathedral ceilings help brighten up the indoor space
- High ceilings offer a sense of spaciousness
- A cathedral ceiling brings in a touch of luxury
All these positive qualities usually make building a modular home with a high ceiling worth it. However, in order to build these spaces, some of the qualities that make modular construction stand out from traditional techniques, get lost. Therefore, if you are acquiring a modular home to benefit from some of its most well-known benefits, a cathedral ceiling might not be for you.
Is it worth building a cathedral ceiling in a modular home?
In general, building a cathedral ceiling in a modular home is worth it since the benefits granted by this architectural feature definitely add some design and comfort value to the property.
Cathedral ceilings help brighten up the indoor space
The walls limiting a cathedral ceiling are higher than usual, therefore in this type of setting it is possible to place oversized windows. A larger window surface lets more natural sunlight in, increasing the brightness indoors. This advantage is especially beneficial to houses built in areas with very few amounts of sunlight.
High ceilings offer a sense of spaciousness
High spaces such as those resulting from cathedral or vaulted ceilings offer a sense of openness and amplitude. Being in a room with a ceiling that is higher than usual creates a perception of spaciousness and the room feels larger than it really is.
A cathedral ceilings bring in a touch of luxury
Cathedral ceilings create impressive spaces typical of luxurious homes. Adding a high ceiling to both a traditional or a modern-looking house adds a touch of luxury to it. This luxurious feeling gets intensified if the cathedral ceiling is part of areas such as the entrance hall, the living room, or the dining room.
When not to build a cathedral ceiling in a modular home
In some situations, adding a cathedral ceiling to a modular home just doesn’t pay off. This type of feature is definitely an investment and as such, it is essential to be sure that what we sacrifice makes up for what we get. Below are some of the situations in which investing in a cathedral ceiling might not be worth it:
- Choosing modular to be more environmentally friendly: Building a house with modular construction is generally more environmentally friendly than building in a traditional way. However, adding a cathedral ceiling means adding an additional module that has to be manufactured and transported to the building site in a truck. Adding a cathedral ceiling to a modular home makes it less ecological.
- Choosing modular to save money: If the reason you are building a new house with the modular technique is to make the most out of your budget, building a cathedral or a vaulted ceiling is most likely not worth it since having to add an additional module highly increases the construction cost.
- Choosing modular to be more energy efficient: A great number of modular home manufacturers are building their homes up to energy efficiency standards. However, spaces with high ceilings have more air volume and a geometry that makes it difficult for HVAC systems to perform efficiently [1]. As a consequence, modular homes with cathedral ceilings are less energy efficient.
References:
- (2019, November 12) Do your high ceilings affect HVAC efficiency? Air Assurance https://www.airassurance.com/blog/2019/11/12/do-your-high-ceilings-affect-hvac-efficiency
