Stanton Homes - Building Green in the Triangle: May 2009

Custom Homes Raleigh NC

Barrel Vault Ceiling Features

What is a Barrel Vault, and How Can It Accent Your Home?

If you're looking for a unique feature that will add "WOW" to your new home, you'll love a Barrel Vault ceiling.

Barrel vault ceilings can be incorporated into many different styles of homes, without wasting space.

This two story foyer features a multi-level barrel vault ceiling, accented by a wrought iron overlook, fully trimmed plant shelf, and a matching arched window.

Barrel Vault ceilings aren't limited to luxury homes.  Homes in the mid $200s can include features like these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique Pass Throughs

In this home, the foyer connects to the large family room through a very short hallway underneath the dual staircase.

The curved barrel vault ceiling draws the eye, along with other details like the inset art area.

The contrasting decorator paint adds to the effect, lifting the ceiling while pulling the eyes upward. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barrel Vaulted Hallways

An ordinary hallway is transformed to the extraordinary by this barrel vaulted ceiling.

The vault has been carried through approximately 12 feet of hallway length, adding a distinctive look and feel to a formerly somewhat boring passage.

Historically, barrel vaults have been found in long hallways in decadent buildings, like the Marwar Hall in the Umaid Bhawan Palace.  The Cloisters in New York City is another exemplary example of a barrel vault hallway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Story Homes Can Stand Out Too

Even a one story home can offer an incomparable entrance.

This barrel vaulted foyer has been carefully accented with individually placed knotty pine wainscotting, set on the horizontal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intellectually Refined Barrel Vault

This short hallway has been set apart with both a barrel vaulted ceiling and a carefully designed built in bookcase. 

 

A barrel vault can also be known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault. 

The technical definition of a barrel 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."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Layers of Arches Add Exceptional Grace

Add incomparable beauty to any home with a barrel vault ceiling.

A well qualified builder or architect can help you incorporate features like these into your next home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Energy Star Homes Raleigh NC

ENERGY STAR Homes Continue to Increase in Raleigh

Buying a Home Without ENERGY STAR May Make Future Resale Tougher

ENERGY STAR continues to quietly transform the way new homes are built. 

Percentage of ENERGY STAR Homes Increasing

The number of homes built to exacting ENERGY STAR standards in the Raleigh area INCREASED in 2008 (versus 2007), by 66%!

Even more significantly - overall construction decreased in 2008.  The number of permits issued in Wake County Jan-July 2008 was down 24%.  And yet the number of fully certified ENERGY STAR homes came close to doubling!

Here's the trend in ENERGY STAR homes over the past five years:

Only 42 homes were ENERGY STAR certified in Raleigh in 2004.  In 2008, a total of 1233 new homes were built to standards that exceed the building code by at least 15%, lowering utility costs and helping protect the environment.  

That's a 29 times increase in just 5 short years!

The big question - if you choose to purchase a home today that is NOT ENERGY STAR certified, will your home have a tougher time selling in 5 years? 

Consider:

Over 90% of consumers who have purchased ENERGY STAR say they'll do so again, one of the highest satisfaction ratings.

Local Raleigh area utility companies are offering incentives for builders and homebuyers of ENERGY STAR homes, in order to reduce future dependence on power supplies.

Homebuyers are more and more often considering both the environment and future energy costs when purchasing a home, and an ENERGY STAR home is a "greener" home.

What Does ENERGY STAR Mean?

- Air Sealing

- Tighter Ducts

- Advanced Windows

- Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment

- Field Verified

- Correctly Installed Insulation

- Complete Air Barrier

- "Right Sized" HVAC Systems

- 5% Progress Energy/Duke Energy Monthly Discounts

- 15-20% Reduced Heating and Cooling Costs

 

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Green Home Building in the Triangle

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