Historical Ceilings

Pressed Tin

• Using sheets of pressed tin to decorate a ceiling dates back to the mid-1800s. This uniquely North American practice came into vogue when thin rolled tin plate began to be mass produced. The ornate panels, pressed with designs that covered an entire ceiling, served two purposes. They added a touch of elegance and covered cracked plaster. They were often combined with tin cornices and moldings. This style is often associated with Victorian homes.

Coffered

• Coffered ceilings were first used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. These decorative ceilings are made of sunken square, rectangular or octagonal wood panels framed by heavy wood beams. The panels, also called caissons, were artfully arranged to cover an entire ceiling. This luxurious technique is still used in homes today, especially in formal rooms with very high ceilings.

Wood Beam

• Exposed rustic wood beams in a ceiling are typical of Spanish colonial houses. It is often seen in historic farmhouses and log cabins as well. The beams may be part of the ceiling or span the room just below the ceiling. This practice began when actual ceiling beams were exposed in a room, and the look was imitated for decorative effect. Exposed beam ceilings are used today to add warmth and rural elegance to a room.

Tray

• A tray ceiling, a variation on the coffered ceiling, is often used in formal rooms to add dimension to a ceiling. This classic style is found in traditional architecture. A large, recessed rectangular or octagonal panel in the center of the room is surrounded by crown molding. This technique is sometimes used in dining rooms to echo the size and shape of the dining table. Tray ceilings are used in homes today.