Do Vaulted Ceilings Increase the Value of a Home?

Vaulted ceilings are highly popular among many modern home buyers as they can add a sense of elegance and grandeur to a room. But do they increase the value of a home? And if so, how can you add them to your existing home?

Vaulted ceilings add value to a home by making rooms feel more spacious. Typically, they house larger windows or skylights, which means more natural light. Vaulted ceilings may potentially lead to higher energy costs, but the trade-off is worth it in most cases.

When evaluating the potential added value of a vaulted ceiling, several factors need to be considered. Read on to learn how you can decide what a vaulted ceiling is worth to you.

How Much Value Do Vaulted Ceilings Add to a Home?

The additional value created by a vaulted ceiling depends on the type of home and the market it is located in. Factors such as the overall size of the room, the amount of natural light, and details like exposed beams or other ceiling constructions all impact how much value the vaulted ceiling adds to your home.

Vaulted ceilings can increase the value of a home by up to 25% in some markets, especially in those with older or smaller homes. However, in higher-end homes, vaulted ceilings are an expected feature, so they are unlikely to provide a significant added value to the property.

Additionally, the overall size and condition of the property are relevant.

If the house is poorly laid out or has other significant deficiencies, a vaulted ceiling cannot compensate for the loss of value. The total square footage, the quality of the fixtures and finishes, and the presence or absence of adequate storage all have a stronger impact on the value of the home than the height of the ceilings.

Best Places for a Vaulted Ceiling

Technically, any room can have a vaulted ceiling. However, most people find vaulted ceilings more valuable in the more “public” areas of the home, such as entryways, entertainment areas, and living rooms.

All of these are good options as they provide the first impression of a home for most guests.

Bedrooms with vaulted ceilings can have a dramatic effect and feel spacious, but in some cases, it can be too much of a good thing. Many people prefer their more private areas—bedrooms and bathrooms—to feel cozy.

A very high ceiling can make this difficult, as the space can feel too exposed.

As for vaulted ceilings in other areas of a home? Well, no one has ever walked into a laundry room and thought, “Wow, that 20-foot ceiling is really making a statement!” A vaulted ceiling in a room that most people will never see is likely a waste of money better spent elsewhere.

Adding a Vaulted Ceiling During Renovation

Homeowners often consider adding a vaulted ceiling to one or more rooms during renovations, especially if expanding the footprint of the house is impossible. Whether it is cost-effective or even feasible to vault a ceiling depends on several factors, including:

• Existing attic: Do you have an attic? Space above the room where you want to build a vaulted ceiling? Then you might be in luck. However, if the area where you want to vault the ceiling is directly under the exterior roof or a second floor, you will likely have to abandon the idea. Changing either of these features requires more significant structural renovations and is rarely worth the money.
• Type of roof framing: If your attic has rafters, it might be a good candidate for a vaulted ceiling. If, however, the roof is framed with trusses, the process will likely be more complicated and expensive.
• The current location of existing ductwork, electrical wiring, and plumbing: Most of these will need to be relocated, which may be impossible or make the project too costly.

Vaulting a ceiling is not a do-it-yourself project and can become quite expensive. Before embarking on such an extensive renovation, carefully consider what you hope to gain from it.

If you want to derive more enjoyment from your home, the extra effort may be worth it. However, if you are looking for additional resale value, consider the market and the other features of your home before making such a commitment.

How Much It Costs to Vault a Ceiling

The costs of vaulting a ceiling can vary significantly depending on the location and type of project. It is significantly more affordable to incorporate vaulted ceilings in a new construction than in a renovation.

When considering a project, it is important to take the entirety of the circumstances into account.

For example: Adding a vaulted ceiling in the living room of a newly built home is almost certainly worth the additional cost, while a complete roof rebuild to raise the ceiling in an older modest home in a modest neighborhood is likely not.

Costs for vaulting a ceiling in new construction: According to Bob Vila, you can expect to spend 5-20% more for a vaulted ceiling than for a standard ceiling since both the material and labor are more expensive. Very high cathedral ceilings and ceilings with elaborate details further increase the costs.

Costs for raising a ceiling during a renovation: According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of raising a ceiling is around $60 per square foot, but it can range from $50 to $75 per square foot. These figures assume that no major roof or other structural changes are necessary.

Disadvantages of a Vaulted Ceiling

Despite the popularity of vaulted ceilings, they do have some downsides. Whether you are buying a new home with vaulted ceilings or considering adding them during a renovation, here are some potential issues to keep in mind:

• Loss of additional living space: Depending on the height of the ceiling, you may be giving up space that could have been part of a finished second floor. The loss of square footage translates to a corresponding loss in value.
• More challenging cleaning and maintenance: The height of vaulted ceilings makes cleaning, repairs, and repainting more difficult. If you need to hire a professional to address issues, additional costs will be incurred.
• Additional noise: Higher ceilings can make a room appear louder as sounds can echo more easily.
• Higher heating and cooling costs: Heat rises, which means you will have to work harder to keep the living area comfortable in the winter. In the summer, that pool of warm air can mean the room needs more air conditioning. In older, less energy-efficient homes, the costs will be higher. In modern homes, the additional costs may be negligible.
• Required ventilation: Very high vaulted ceilings can trap moisture and need to be ventilated to prevent mold formation.