Where are the high ceilings?

E

earthbm_IHB

New member
Why is it that high ceilings (defined by 6'4" me as you can't jump and touch the ceiling in your bedroom) do not seem to be considered a desirable feature by the builders? Are there developments that have higher ceilings than the rest. Most of the pics on MLS are as claustrofobic as reality that I remember. I actually do want this house (nicked from another thread): <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2357/2107199666_c517d70340.jpg?v=0" alt="" />





<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2357/2107199666_c517d70340.jpg?v=0" alt="" />





Edit: how do I post pictures here?
 
Cathedral ceilings have been all the rage for years, although they have become less common in the past few years as the houses have gotten ultra-scrunched. My Van Daele development from the '90s has cathedral ceilings in almost every room, including the upstairs bedrooms (knowing Van Daele, that was to reduce the cost of the ceiling). As an aside, although it's great for an open airy feel, cathedral ceilings aren't great for decorating. Crown moulding would look ridiculous and even painting the walls looks odd because of the asymmetrical ceiling heights.
 
<p>It is also hard to have high ceilings because of the lack of space that builders can build on. My parents' 20 year old house has 20 foot ceilings in their living room area. But that meant that a lot of lost square footage (only half the house had a second story). Now, all of the new homes are boxy and without any overhead space in order to maximize square footage.</p>
 
<p>I personally like 10-12 foot ceilings. Awgee is correct that standard ceilings are 8 feet.</p>

<p>Our house we built in Miami, in '81 had cathedral ceilings in the family foom. I liked them there, but wouldn't have wanted them in the whole house, but then, I'm only 5'5", not 6'4".</p>

<p>I really dislike ceilings higher than, say, 14 feet, I think the rooms lack coziness when the ceilings get too high.</p>
 
<p>I like high ceilings too. My parents house was build similarly to IC, which makes it fun to hang out in the living room.</p>

<p>FYI - Plan C2 in San Carlos (I think) in Portola Springs has very high ceilings in the bedroom.</p>
 
<p>If the ceilings are not vaulted (basically the height of a 2nd story as wasted space described by IrvineCommuter), most of the new construction in Irvine and Tustin, even at the lower price points, has 9 footers downstairs and 8 footers upstairs.</p>

<p>As you move up the price ladder, one of the first things you'll see added are 9 footers upstairs.</p>

<p>I really appreciate 9 footers down as it increases the feeling of spaciousness in kitchens and family rooms. 8 upstairs is fine for me. Vaulted areas are a waste of energy (to cool), and cleaning windows up high is a pain, so avoid them.</p>

<p>SCHB</p>
 
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