A coffered ceiling is a grid sample of recessed panels bordered by deep heavy beams. In architectural phrases coffer means indentation.
The coffers are virtually at all times a collection of squares, rectangles, or octagons–though different designs can be utilized. A ceiling with squares resembles an upside-down three-dimensional checkerboard.
Coffered Ceiling Historical past
Coffered ceilings have been developed in historic Rome to cut back the burden and quantity of stone ceilings. Wooden cross beams have been used to create sq. or rectangular coffers in a repeating sample. They regained reputation through the Renaissance. Additionally through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries–virtually at all times within the properties of the rich due to price.
What to Contemplate Earlier than Putting in Coffered Ceilings
As stunning and spectacular as coffered ceilings will be, a couple of issues must be considered earlier than making a last choice.
Coffered Ceiling Peak
Coffered ceilings can create a really heavy-feeling room. Rooms 8’ excessive or much less usually are not good candidates for coffered ceilings. Even fake beams will be 6” excessive. Some beams will be 12” excessive relying on the design. Coffered ceilings ought to solely be thought of in rooms with ceilings a minimum of 9’ excessive. Extra top is healthier. Ten toes to 12 toes excessive supplies the choice of constructing deep coffers utilizing large and tall heavy-looking beams.
Coffered Ceiling Areas
Coffered ceilings work greatest in massive expansive rooms the place a extra formal look is perhaps desired. Residing rooms, eating rooms, household rooms, and leisure/theater rooms are good candidates for coffer ceilings so long as ceilings are excessive sufficient.
Coffered Ceiling Camouflage
Fake coffered ceilings are the proper method to disguise undesirable ceiling flaws. Cowl pipes. Make immovable beams a part of the ceiling design. Use the chance to restore the ceiling by placing up one other layer of drywall, MDF, or plywood earlier than including beam element. Leisure rooms will profit from the sound-suppressing qualities of coffered ceilings.
Coffered Ceiling Ending
The colour alternative of coffered ceilings normally has lighter colours–white or beige–within the coffers and darker colours on the beams. Different choices embody utilizing the identical shades for your entire ceiling–comparable to a lightweight yellow within the coffers and darker yellow for the beams. Ceiling colours ought to complement and improve wall and ground colours.
Coffered ceiling design is proscribed solely by creativeness. Owners use wallpaper, ornamental medallions, lighting, and metallic ceiling tiles together with coloring within the coffers. Beams are adorned with ridges and scallops together with paint and stain to create a three-dimensional impact.
Coffered Ceiling Price
Most fashionable coffered ceilings use a flat easy standard ceiling as a base. Fake beams are added to create the raised coffered look. Reclaimed wooden beams, extruded polystyrene beams, and built-up beams–normally MDF augmented with varied kinds of trims–are costly.
Making a coffered ceiling will not be a straightforward DIY job. Correct measurements and set up are required to provide a dramatic impact. Price range a minimum of $25.00 – $30.00 per sq. foot of ceiling space for a coffered ceiling.
Even fake beams will add a big quantity of weight to a ceiling. Having an engineer concerned to verify there shall be no structural issues is a good suggestion, and will even be essential to fulfill native constructing codes.
Coffered Ceilings – Execs and Cons
Coffered ceilings do improve a way of extravagance when utilized in any room. In addition they have some added advantages and some drawbacks.
Execs:
- Peak. Coffered ceilings create the phantasm of upper ceilings and bigger rooms.
- Noise. Coffered ceilings are identified to soak up sound, remove echoes, and forestall noise from escaping into different elements of the home.
- Worth. Coffered ceilings will improve the resale worth of a house. Typically considerably.
Cons:
- Price. Coffered ceilings are virtually at all times purely ornamental. Paying round $4500.00 to coffer a 12’ x 12’ household room might sound a bit costly to some folks.
- Operate. Fake beams can add 1000 lbs. or extra to the burden of a ceiling–probably requiring an engineer’s certification. Utilizing actual beams–if not supported by the constructing construction–requires extra reinforcement.
- Really feel. Coffered ceilings in small or low rooms will be overpowering. They make the ceiling really feel low and the room appears small and uncomfortable.
