When designing or purchasing a home, the idea of high ceilings (over 10 feet) may be tempting. They add to the spaciousness and uniqueness of the home. However, they have some notable drawbacks, which should be considered.
What are the drawbacks of high ceilings in the home?
1. Higher utility costs Higher ceilings increase the volume of the space. Inevitably more energy is required to heat and condition the space. The higher the ceiling, the higher the heating and cooling bills end up.
2. Construction cost and purchase price increase The construction cost increases due to the additional required materials to build higher walls. The resulting purchase price of homes with high ceilings is also higher. The use of extra materials is not a sustainable option, as it is taxing on the environment as well.
3. Maintenance challenges Maintaining a house with high ceilings is more difficult and more costly. Something as simple as dusting or changing a light bulb could become a difficult task requiring a tall ladder and professional balancing skills. Washing the windows, blinds and curtains is also more challenging. Painting necessitates the use of extra material and labor making it more expensive.
4. Glare, heat gain and heat loss Spaces with high ceilings allow for larger windows. While this is beneficial for an increased level of daylight in the space, an unpleasant glare may appear. Another drawback of large windows is their contribution to a heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. This leads to thermal discomfort and increase in utility costs.
5. Acoustical issues High ceilings potentially create an unpleasant echo in the space. In order to address the issue of the echo, acoustical treatments may be needed. The treatments and possible added soft surfaces also contribute to a higher cost of the home. These surfaces further become dust collectors, which should be avoided in the home.
Improving the drawbacks of a high ceiling is not very simple but there are options to reduce the operational cost and discomfort:
1. Ceiling fans Installing ceiling fans helps cool the space in the summer. A ceiling fan is not an intuitive solution to heat the space but it can be helpful. The heat, generated by the heating sources, rises and the fan can push it back down keeping the space warmer for a longer period of time.
2. Exterior Shutters Exterior shutters are helpful in reducing unwanted glare. Another advantage of exterior shutters is that they decrease the heat gain by stopping the sun radiation before entering the space.
3. Insulation and radiant floor heating In the spaces with high ceilings, insulating the ceilings and roof well helps maintain the desired indoor temperature longer. An option to increase thermal comfort and reduce operational costs is to install radiant floor heating. The heat of the radiant flooring keeps our feet warm and feel more natural than forced air heating.
4. Soft surfaces Acoustical treatment may be required in order to lessen an unwanted echo is the space. Soft surfaces, such as curtains, wall coverings and fabric furniture help reduce the echo in the home.
The main takeaway is that high ceilings come with some notable drawbacks. Being aware of them is important before designing or buying a home with high ceilings. There are available options to minimize the drawbacks to a comfortable level.
Learn about "Why does the Orientation of our Home matter for our Health and Well-being?" in this guide: https://www.holistichomesarchitecture.com/guide-why-the-orientation-of-the-home-matters.html
Drop me a line to design the perfect home for you! Ana Ana Koleva Miller, RA, NCARB, Fitwel Amb.