
Tips for Painting a Cathedral (or Vaulted) Ceiling
- Get a Tall Roller You may not be a roller at a craps table, but you’ll want a roller that can reach high up towards your ceiling. ...
- Get an Extending Pole That alone might not be enough. ...
- Do the Molding Before the Ceiling ...
- Clean and Use New Rollers and Brushes for Your Ceiling ...
Full Answer
Should you paint vaulted ceiling the same color as walls?
Your ceiling color needs to complement the color of your walls, so it shouldn’t compete for attention. Having a vaulted ceiling doesn’t mean they will be all the same color, so you should choose a softer color scheme. For a little color in the ceiling space, tan or beige paint would be a good choice.
What is the best way to insulate a vaulted ceiling?
What Type of Insulation Is Used for Vaulted Ceilings?
- Fiberglass. Fiberglass is the simplest insulation solution for many vaulted ceilings, especially cathedral-style ceilings.
- Cellulose. Cellulose insulation is another great option if you have access to a skilled installer. ...
- Spray Foam. Again, special care must be taken when installing spray foam insulation in a vaulted ceiling. ...
Should my ceilings and walls be painted the same color?
Painting your ceiling and walls the same color works best in rooms with flat ceilings as opposed to those with scalloped texture. When you paint your ceiling a lighter color, it can make the walls of the room feel higher and your space look larger.
Are vaulted ceilings right for your next home?
Soaring ceilings with interesting architectural details can hold allure for many people looking to buy or build a home. There’s no doubt vaulted ceilings – also known as cathedral ceilings – can create a light and airy space that makes a room look bigger than it really is, but know what you’re letting yourself in for before falling head over heels in love. You can weigh up your decision here.

What is the process of painting a vaulted ceiling?
Painting a vaulted ceiling involves steps before and during the painting process. These include evaluating the scope of the project and gathering equipment. Then, the preliminary tasks of removing fixtures, moving furniture, and covering the area. It culminates with painting the edges and ceiling.
Do you need to protect furniture from splattering?
Aside from your furniture, you also need to protect other parts of your room from splattering.
Can you paint a vaulted ceiling?
Painting a vaulted ceiling can seem like a daunting task, even when you have experience painting other parts of your home. Proper preparation and following a series of structured steps, however, can make the job easier.
Can you use bleach to clean a vaulted ceiling?
If however, your ceiling has been exposed to water damage or if it has mold and mildew stains, you will need to clean those areas using a microbial agent, mildew remover, or a bleach and water solution. Reaching a vaulted ceiling for that sort of “wet” clean-up cannot be effectively done using extension handles. That cleanup will almost inevitably involve accessing the affected areas with a ladder.
Is it realistic to paint a vaulted ceiling?
At no time is this meant to discourage you from tackling such a project. Even if your painting skills and experience are minimal, painting a vaulted ceiling is realistic. However, if you face a situation involving a vaulted ceiling in an open floor plan that reaches two stories in height or higher, you may want to reconsider.
Do you dress in work clothes when painting a vaulted ceiling?
Most people are aware of how messy you can get when involved with a painting project. Most would dress in comfortable work clothes when painting a vaulted ceiling that they don’t mind getting dirty.
Do you have to remove fixtures from a vaulted ceiling?
Much as you would when painting the walls of a standard room, when painting a vaulted ceiling , you want to remove any fixture found on the ceiling surface.
How do I paint a ceiling without scaffolding?
Dust off the high areas before beginning, because you're liable to knock dust loose as you work. The best way to paint tall ceilings and walls without setting up scaffolding is to get some help and set up an extension ladder. Use the ladder to get up to the ceiling-wall corner and cut in the line where the two meet using a brush and a rapid little tool appropriately called a mini roller. Next, paint the ceiling with a long extension pole and a roller (I admit, the job can give you a workout). Finally, paint the walls using the extension ladder to reach the ceiling-wall corner and the extension pole for the high parts of the wall.
How to clean cobwebs off ceiling fan?
Typical homeowner models range from 5 to 15 feet, approximately, but there are professional models that can reach as high as 30 feet. Also, get a lambswool or synthetic duster and a wall brush to sweep cobwebs out of tall corners. If you have ceiling fans, get a forked dusting tool. These things will clean both sides of a ceiling-fan blade in one pass.
What is a good alternative to paint?
Power-fed rollers are a good alternative for painting large areas in hard-to-get-to places. It saves having to go back and forth to a paint tray from a ladder, which means less drippage and spillage. --Jamie Hyneman.
How to Paint a Vaulted Ceiling?
It can be overwhelming to paint a vaulted ceiling, even if you have painted other parts of your home before . A structured approach and proper preparation will ease the task, however.
How to Improve the Appearance of Vaulted Ceilings?
A unique light fixture should be added to your vaulted ceiling when planning and designing your space . If you include a chandelier or hanging light in the vaulted ceiling design, the area will feel framed and will have much-needed light.
How many stories should a vaulted ceiling be?
In an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings that reach two stories or more should be reconsidered. To paint a vaulted ceiling, prepare all the necessary tools and equipment.
How many square feet does Kilz paint cover?
KILZ offers softer white paint in a bright and inviting color that is great for your ceilings. It covers 400 square feet per gallon and has a matte finish.
What does it mean when your ceiling is darker?
If the color is darker, the eye perceives a lower ceiling. A darker color scheme is becoming increasingly popular in new home designs, even making your ceiling look smaller.
What attachment to use to mix paint?
A hand drill with a stirring attachment is the best way to accomplish this. You can also choose hand drills as they provide the fastest and most consistent way of mixing paint.
How to maximize sunlight for painting?
To maximize your amount of natural sunlight, you should plan your painting project around days that aren’t too humid where you live. Paint will cure and dry more quickly on days when it’s dry and receiving a lot of natural sunlight.
What to do with white accents?
Consider adding more white accents to your room…throw pillows/l white drapery panels…bring the white of the beams more into the lower decor.
How tall is the wall behind the chair?
The south facing wall behind the chair is not well pictured, but is about 10 feet tall and has 2 windows. Only this wall will be painted an accent color, BM Rust. The 3 beams are structural and can't be removed. The center area they support is a semi-open stairwell to the second floor.
Do each room and situation should be evaluated independently?
I do believe each room and situation should be evaluated independently. I have some rooms with the ceiling the same color as the molding
Is it better to have the same color on the ceiling or the walls?
Your space will look better with the same color on the ceiling and the walls. So many angles, so many lines, so much to look at when it's highlighted in a bright white - and that's not the right color strategy for that space. Listen to your designer.
