What is barrel vault ceiling?

A barrel vault is the simplest form of a vault created from a single continuous archway. These beautiful curved ceilings are comprised of 3 basic measurements: Length, Width, and Rise. Length: The distance from one end of the barrel vault to the other end.

What is the purpose of barrel vaults?

Barrel vaults became an integral part of the infrastructure of ancient Roman civilization. Barrel vaults supported such key structures as aqueducts, sewage systems, bridges, government buildings, and stadiums. They are also key features of Christian churches built in Europe during the Middle Ages.

What is barrel vault in architecture?

A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design.

What is a Barrelled ceiling?

A barrel ceiling is one that effectively creates a an arch curve from one point to another that is at least 2 foot long. Many times, like in a bathroom or relatively small room, the barrel extends from one wall to the other.

What does a barrel vault look like?

A barrel vault is a continuous arched shape that may approximate a semi-cylinder in form, resembling the roof of a tunnel, or may be pointed at its apex. It is typically formed by a series of arches or vaults placed side by side or by a continuous shell.

How much does a barrel ceiling cost?

A 4ft long by 6ft wide elliptical barrel ceiling costs $134.28 (and takes less than 15 minutes to install!)

What is a vault in construction?

vault, in building construction, a structural member consisting of an arrangement of arches, usually forming a ceiling or roof.

When were barrel vaults created?

Who made the first barrel vaults? The earliest barrel vaults were small ones in Mesopotamia, where architects used them for small drainage tunnels and tombs. The Elamites used bigger barrel vaults to roof buildings at Susa. By around 2600 BC, Egyptian architects used mud-brick barrel vaults.

What were barrel vaults made out of?

Built from sun-dried mud bricks, each of the arches that join together to form the vaults in these constructions is tilted in the vertical axis, leaning on one another incrementally.

Are barrel ceilings expensive?

Barrel Vault Kits from Archways & Ceilings are very affordable. Let us give you some examples so you can see what we mean. A 4ft long by 6ft wide elliptical barrel ceiling costs $134.28 (and takes less than 15 minutes to install!)

What is a barrel vault in architecture?

Vault (architecture) The barrel vault is a continuous arch, the length being greater than its diameter. As in building an arch, a temporary support is needed while rings of voussoirs are constructed and the rings placed in position. Until the topmost voussoir, the keystone, is positioned, the vault is not self-supporting.

What does barrel vault mean?

A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance.

What is a Roman barrel vault?

Barrel vault. Barrel vaults are known from Ancient Egypt, and were used extensively in Roman architecture. They were also used to replace the Cloaca Maxima with a system of underground sewers. Other early barrel vault designs occur in northern Europe, Turkey, Morocco, and other regions.

What is a barrel vault foyer?

A barrel vault foyer is a unique, arched ceiling treatment that can be used to accentuate many different styles of architecture. Barrel Vault foyers are becoming increasingly popular, and are one way to make your new home more unique.