But cathedral ceilings aren't for everyone. One obvious disadvantage of the style is that it takes up space that could otherwise be used for a second-floor bedroom, say builders. It's a choice that people have made because they value the feeling that space gives them. The ceilings are also more costly because they require extra building materials and more time-intensive construction methods. They can generate higher heating bills since warm air can be trapped high above a room while cooler drafts circulate closer to the floor.
Ceiling fans can usually help avert such problems, say builders.
This problem occurs due to melting snow underneath a snow pack that's built up on the roof. Water runs along the roof's relatively warm surface, then freezes when it hits the eaves. A dam of ice then forms, which holds back the water, forcing it under the shingles and sometimes causing leaks in the house. To achieve this level of efficiency, Taggart usually uses a combination of two or more types of insulation. He might use sprayed foams or dense pack cellulose insulation along with rigid insulating panels.