Adding a window by means of a skylight or dormer provides natural lighting to cut electric costs.
Along with the floor, the ceiling is the most expansive area in the house, yet it is often never even considered when it comes to decor, except in terms of paint. A new house presents the opportunity to create a ceiling that fits into your overall style. A ceiling design can even become an interactive partner with your lifestyle.
Soundproofing Your Ceiling
Soundproofing your ceiling is a very wise idea, especially for two-story homes. A soundproofed first-floor ceiling will lessen the impact of footsteps, exercise movements and rambunctious kids being heard when you are below. Add some soundproofing to the walls of a room planned for kids or a home theater or if someone in the family is a musician.
Skylights, Dormers and Tubular Skylights
Adding skylights to a new ceiling allows the house to be lit naturally with sunlight, which can cut down on electrical use during daylight hours and provide a breathtaking view at night. A skylight over the kitchen can provide better illumination of the food you are preparing. A dormer window is perfect for an artist's studio you plan to locate in the attic. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, consider placing a tubular skylight in your ceiling plans. Tubular skylights are a new technology that allows sunlight to be distributed more evenly through the house.
False Beams
When building a new home, you have the choice of creating a ceiling with exposed beams or installing false beams. The choice of real or false beams is determined by the style of your roof. A false beam made of wood can be shaped, stained or painted for added decorative effect. If the style of your furnishings and decor refers back to a more rustic era, your false beam can be stained to give the ceiling an aged effect.
Planning for Ceiling Fans
Most people building a new home should at least consider installing ceiling fan outlets and wiring even if you don't immediately add the fan. If you decide later on that you want to add a ceiling fan, having the house prewired for it makes installation much easier.
Secret Hiding Places
Building a new home offers the perfect opportunity to install a secret hiding place in the ceiling. A secret compartment concealed by the ceiling is the ideal place to store valuables that might otherwise be lost in a burglary, or to hide presents from the kids during the holiday season.
Tin Ceiling
A tin ceiling over the dining area lends your home a sense of the opulence of the 19th century, when the dining table was the centerpiece for conversation as well as eating. You could install a metal ceiling anywhere and everywhere, but try to visit a home or establishment that has metal ceilings before you make the decision, so you'll know what to expect. Metal tiles come in a vast array of geometric patterns and you also have control over the size of the panels to be installed.
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