Exotic Ceilings: Groin Vaults (Cross Vaults)–an Interview with Curved Framing Expert Wesley Scott

www.archwaysandceilings.com

One of the most popular new trends in Custom Home Building is the use of Groin Vaults (also called Cross Vaults and Groin Ceilings). Custom home builders, remodelers and home-owners are always on the look-out for ways to add elegance and glamour to their project without costing a small fortune. To see what the latest trends are, we asked curved framing expert, Wesley Scott of Archways and Ceilings Made Easy in Fort Worth, Texas.

Interviewer: I´ve heard you say that the Groin Vaulted Ceiling is the most popular new trend in custom home building. What is a Groin Vault?

Wesley Scott: A groin vault is also called a cross vault because it is the intersection of two barrel ceilings intersecting at 90 deg angles. This is the latest trend in custom homebuilding as it is a ceiling effect that really adds elegance if done correctly.

Interviewer: Is the intersection always a square (length and width of the ceiling equal) and does it only occur at hallway intersections?

Wesley Scott: The Groin Vault can be square or rectangular in shape and it does not have to be a hallway effect. Sometimes the entire ceiling is a large groin vault. An increasingly common place for a groin ceiling is an entryway or foyer.

Interviewer: It looks very difficult to construct and very costly.

Wesley Scott: It used to be. In fact some framing professionals used to refuse to build them because they are extremely difficult to build and get right. It also took a lot of labor time which ran up the cost. A small 5 ft x 5 ft Groin Vaulted Ceiling built on-site might take 2 man days and $200 - $250 in materials.

Interviewer: Used to? Has something changed?

Wesley Scott: Yes, there´s been a pretty dramatic change. For the last 2 years a company called Archways and Ceilings Made Easy has been selling customized kits for Groin Vaults. That same 5 ft x 5 ft Groin Ceiling can be purchased for about $300 and installed by a non-professional or do-it-yourselfer in about an hour.

Interviewer: Wow--that is dramatic – 1 hour?

Wesley Scott: It´s for real. Check for yourself on the web-site: www.archwaysandceiling.com. There are plenty of informational and instructional videos on the web-site and on You-Tube. If you want a unique or elegant ceiling, I suggest you go to the web-site and view for yourself.

www.archwaysandceiling.com