Interior Barrel Vaulting

Architectural barrel vaulting is an ideal option for those who are searching for a dramatic and aesthetically-pleasing way to transform the ceiling of their home or building into something truly eye-catching and unique. Astonishingly, architectural barrel vaulting has been around for literally thousands of years - these extended arches were first built by the people of Sumer, one of the oldest known civilizations. Today, interior barrel vaulting is mainly used as a decorative design element to enhance the visual appeal of churches, world class hospitality buildings, and private homes.

Interior Barrel Vaulting: Choosing a Shape

Interior barrel vaulting evolved from the arches that were incorporated into the design of Roman and Gothic architecture. The Romans built arches that were semicircular in shape, while Gothic architecture relied heavily on the use of pointed arches, and these are still the two major shapes used for architectural barrel vaulting. To choose the shape that will work best for your building, it's important to consider the rest of the interior design and what you are hoping to achieve. Pointed architectural barrel vaulting will work well if your building is Gothic in style, for example, or if the windows and entryways incorporate sharp, pointed lines. A semicircular arch will provide a softer and more subtle finishing point, and is a good choice if your design incorporates a lot of smooth and flowing lines.

Interior Barrel Vaulting: Subtle or Dramatic

During the design process, one important question you should ask yourself is whether you want your interior barrel vaulting to be subtle or dramatic. Part of this is determined by the shape you choose - pointed barrel vaulting will typically draw more attention than the semicircular style. Whether your interior barrel vaulting will command people to look up, or simply accent your interior design also depends on its color, what it's made of, and whether you've added any embellishments. For example, white interior barrel vaulting that is constructed of the same material as the surrounding walls will obviously draw less attention than interior barrel vaulting that looks like marble or solid gold.

Design Concerns and Limitations for Interior Barrel Vaulting

One of the main concerns about interior barrel vaulting is that it typically places a lot of stress on the surrounding walls. In Roman and Gothic architecture, this problem was solved by adding buttresses to support the walls. When conventional materials are used to add interior barrel vaulting to buildings, it is possible that buttresses will have to be added. Fiberglass reinforced barrel vaulting, however, will typically eliminate the need for these costly additions.

What to Look for in a Barrel Vaulting Manufacturer

Adding architectural barrel vaulting to the interior of any building is a huge project, so it's important to take your time when choosing a barrel vaulting manufacturer. Ideally, you'll want to find a barrel vaulting manufacturer that uses lightweight materials like fiberglass and fiberglass reinforced concrete so you can avoid adding additional supports. A good barrel vaulting manufacturer will offer you a large number of design options, and they'll also be willing to produce custom architectural barrel vaulting. Stromberg meets both of these criteria, and they count world-famous celebrities like Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis among their satisfied clients. Contact us at [email protected] or 903-454-0904 to find out how we can work with you to develop interior barrel vaulting that will perfectly complement and enhance your building or home.