Cathedral and Vaulted Ceilings A vaulted ceiling has a pinnacle that slopes upward from both sides. Cathedral ceilings, on the other hand, are distinguished by their symmetry: they have two equal sloping sides that meet at a higher point in the middle and frequently adhere to the curve of the roof. The slope is usually about 1 in 12 but may be as steep as 1 in 10. Ceiling fans are useful for creating a more comfortable environment in rooms with high ceilings. Because air moves faster up close to the ground, people standing under these ceilings will feel less breeze from the fan than people in lower-ceilinged rooms. Ceiling fans are also useful in creating a more efficient use of energy since moving air requires less electricity than still air. Vaulted ceilings give an appearance of height without having to build any walls. This makes rooms with vaulted ceilings seem larger than they are. However, if you need more space, you can remove objects from the wall to make room for a new fixture or artwork. Many older buildings have cathedral ceilings because construction materials available at the time were not strong enough to support heavy ceilings. These days, metal frame buildings are built with stronger material choice for ceiling joists and trusses. If you're lucky enough to live in an older building, check out what kind of construction it has before you decide what kind of renovations you want to do.