What is a raked ceiling?
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A raked ceiling is one that slopes, following the pitch of the roof rather than sitting flat. Instead of a horizontal plane at a uniform height, the ceiling rises from the low side of the room to the high side. It is also called a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, though those usually imply a steeper pitch.
What it does to a room
Volume, and light from higher up. A raked ceiling makes a modest floor plan feel considerably larger, and it lets you place windows well above eye level, which brings daylight deep into the room without giving up privacy.
What it costs you
Storage and thermal performance. There is no roof space above a raked ceiling, so insulation has to work harder in a thinner cavity, and there is nowhere to run services after the fact. Lighting, speakers and ducting have to be resolved on the drawings.
Where it works best
Rooms you occupy socially: living, dining, kitchen. It is wasted in a bedroom you use in the dark, and it makes heating a large room noticeably more expensive.