Why Were Ceilings So High

Why Were Ceilings So High in Old Houses?

When you step inside an old house, one of the first things you may notice is the high ceilings. This is a common feature in homes built before the 20th century, but it's rare to see in newer construction. So, why were ceilings so high in old houses? There are a few reasons for this. ### 1. Cooling In the days before air conditioning, high ceilings were a way to keep homes cool in the summer. The warm air in a room rises, so the higher the ceiling, the more space there is for the warm air to circulate. This helped to keep the living space below more comfortable. ### 2. Heating High ceilings also helped to keep homes warm in the winter. The heat from a fireplace or stove would rise to the ceiling, and then circulate throughout the room. This helped to keep the room evenly heated. ### 3. Status Symbol In some cases, high ceilings were also a status symbol. A home with high ceilings was seen as being more spacious and luxurious than a home with low ceilings. This was especially true in the Victorian era, when high ceilings were a common feature in middle-class and upper-class homes. ### 4. Architectural Style High ceilings were also a popular architectural style in the past. Many older homes were built in styles that emphasized verticality, such as the Gothic and Renaissance styles. These styles often featured high ceilings as a way to create a sense of grandeur and spaciousness. ### 5. Construction Techniques The construction techniques used in older homes also contributed to the high ceilings. Before the advent of modern building materials, such as drywall, walls were often made of plaster or lath and plaster. These materials were applied in multiple layers, which added to the thickness of the walls. As a result, the ceilings were often higher in order to accommodate the thicker walls. Today, high ceilings are still sometimes used in new homes, but they are more often found in older homes. If you're lucky enough to live in a home with high ceilings, you can enjoy the benefits of a more spacious and comfortable living space.