Homes with 2 story ceilings

[a1m1700]

Ok I have a question for you all. You all have been a great help with my dark floors question, so I'll throw this out.........

While house hunting in NC last week I had a one track mind to find a house I liked that had a 2 story greatroom. I love the look of big ceilings it makes a home look very grand. Anyway we looked at a bunch and my hubby and I were left with a cold inpression. As wowee as these ceilings were suppose to make the house we were not wowed at all. We were ready to give up hope until we walked into one model by accident that didn't have large 2 story ceilings but only 9 foot throughout. We both loved it instantly and we purchased.

What are some opinions out there on 2 story greatrooms. Do you think most buyers are looking for that when house hunting? Do you think it makes a more dramatic impression in a home. I'm pretty happy with my choice but I am thinking down the road on resale. Do you think those homes appreciate better or does it make a difference?

Any thoughts

[MyAzi]

Lots of people seem to like the vaulted ceilings. I find rooms with them difficult to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. And then you get that stay spider that just has to make his web in the highest corner of your room. I have them in my living room and part of my bonus room... They make the room feel big but you really get no more space.

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Ok I have a question for you all. You all have been a great help with my dark floors question, so I'll throw this out.........

While house hunting in NC last week I had a one track mind to find a house I liked that had a 2 story greatroom. I love the look of big ceilings it makes a home look very grand. Anyway we looked at a bunch and my hubby and I were left with a cold inpression. As wowee as these ceilings were suppose to make the house we were not wowed at all. We were ready to give up hope until we walked into one model by accident that didn't have large 2 story ceilings but only 9 foot throughout. We both loved it instantly and we purchased.

What are some opinions out there on 2 story greatrooms. Do you think most buyers are looking for that when house hunting? Do you think it makes a more dramatic impression in a home. I'm pretty happy with my choice but I am thinking down the road on resale. Do you think those homes appreciate better or does it make a difference?

Any thoughts

I agree with MyAzi about heating and cooling, also add light bulb replacement. The vaulted ceilings, especially the 2 story style is a waste of space, thus I think it is the sign of being well off (think about the mansions of old).

You found the best of all worlds. modern homes have a ceiling that is 7'8" high. Ceilings at 9' give you such a better feeling of being open that once you live that way, it's way hard to go back to "normal" height ceilings. You got yourself quite a catch there.

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

I agree with MyAzi about heating and cooling, also add light bulb replacement.

Oh Oh and my favorite... that fire alarm that needs the battery changed at 4AM and won't stop beeping. When you finally realize you don't have a ladder that tall!!!!!

[a1m1700]

[quote=the dufferz;2941]I agree with MyAzi about heating and cooling, also add light bulb replacement. The vaulted ceilings, especially the 2 story style is a waste of space, thus I think it is the sign of being well off (think about the mansions of old).

You found the best of all worlds. modern homes have a ceiling that is 7'8" high. Ceilings at 9' give you such a better feeling of being open that once you live that way, it's way hard to go back to "normal" height ceilings. You got yourself quite a catch there.[/QUOTE

Yeah the high high ceilings have lots of downfalls practically speaking. I think the number 1 fact being the energy bill and then the others mentioned. I guess painting that sucker would be a huge headache too. I am an HGTV junkie and I think it's harder to decorate those rooms and make them feel homey.

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Yeah the high high ceilings have lots of downfalls practically speaking. I think the number 1 fact being the energy bill and then the others mentioned. I guess painting that sucker would be a huge headache too. I am an HGTV junkie and I think it's harder to decorate those rooms and make them feel homey.

High ceilings for me are up there with pure white carpet when you have kids, granite counters that stain, stainless steel that stains, hardwood floors when you have a golfer who wears golf shoes in the house.... they all look nice, but oh, the upkeep! Leave places like that to HGTV dreamhouses and make you house a home!

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

I am an HGTV junkie and I think it's harder to decorate those rooms and make them feel homey.

I have to disagree... the "most homey" feeling room I have in my house is the living room. And I have Vaulted ceilings in there.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

High ceilings for me are up there with pure white carpet when you have kids, granite counters that stain, stainless steel that stains, hardwood floors when you have a golfer who wears golf shoes in the house.... they all look nice, but oh, the upkeep! Leave places like that to HGTV dreamhouses and make you house a home!

Oh yeah pure white carpet one of my favorites but now that I am older I would never put that in my house. Yeah I know stainless steel appliances are tough to keep clean but the hubby wants them. I wouldn't mind black.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by MyAzi

I have to disagree... the "most homey" feeling room I have in my house is the living room. And I have Vaulted ceilings in there.

Oh darn!! I was just starting to feel better about my choice

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Oh yeah pure white carpet one of my favorites but now that I am older I would never put that in my house. Yeah I know stainless steel appliances are tough to keep clean but the hubby wants them. I wouldn't mind black.

Black show the fingerprints worse that stainless!!!!

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Oh darn!! I was just starting to feel better about my choice

I think you could make any room feel homey regardless of size or shape. If you put your heart into it. I picked that room because it had the fireplace and I No tv hook up...so I know it wouldn't get used by anyone but me. And come to find out that when people come over they would rather be in there than in the Media room. They tell me it is very homey and welcoming.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by MyAzi

Black show the fingerprints worse that stainless!!!!

Ok now I feel better about that. I love this site! I love to hear other opinions.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by MyAzi

I think you could make any room feel homey regardless of size or shape. If you put your heart into it. I picked that room because it had the fireplace and I No tv hook up...so I know it wouldn't get used by anyone but me. And come to find out that when people come over they would rather be in there than in the Media room. They tell me it is very homey and welcoming.

Yes you are right. It depends on how it's set up and how it's decorated. Do you have a vaulted ceiling or those huge 2 story ceilings with the catwalk upstairs?

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Yes you are right. It depends on how it's set up and how it's decorated. Do you have a vaulted ceiling or those huge 2 story ceilings with the catwalk upstairs?

Vaulted... I have a tri level

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by MyAzi

Vaulted... I have a tri level

Oh, ok yes vaulted are very nice, it gives the room a nice open feel but not that much of a pain to paint

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by MyAzi

Vaulted... I have a tri level

Tri-levels are typically hard to heat with the biggest complaint being drafts. Vaults I can live with, it's the great rooms that are two stories high that really create a problem. Here in the NW we had back in the 70's what was called a "nothwest contemporary" style. Holly smokes, what a baaaaad idea. These homes had the living room, diningroom, kitchen and familyroom all open to each other, then a vaulted livingroom ceiling that went up two stories to a loft and hallway that went to the bedrooms. You could NEVER get those homes comfortable, summer or winter.

They don't build these kinds anymore.

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

Tri-levels are typically hard to heat with the biggest complaint being drafts. Vaults I can live with, it's the great rooms that are two stories high that really create a problem. Here in the NW we had back in the 70's what was called a "nothwest contemporary" style. Holly smokes, what a baaaaad idea. These homes had the living room, diningroom, kitchen and familyroom all open to each other, then a vaulted livingroom ceiling that went up two stories to a loft and hallway that went to the bedrooms. You could NEVER get those homes comfortable, summer or winter.

They don't build these kinds anymore.

They do in CA... and are still!!! Great rooms are popular down there. I personally hated them as you had to share space with others making more noise than you!!! Try having a conversation in the kitchen while the kids are watching TV in the family room... and it is all open!!! ARGHHHHHH

[Pensypat]

Very nice to look at but they would be expensive and hard to heat where I live up in northern Pa. If I lived in a hot climate I would consider having one however.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

Tri-levels are typically hard to heat with the biggest complaint being drafts. Vaults I can live with, it's the great rooms that are two stories high that really create a problem. Here in the NW we had back in the 70's what was called a "nothwest contemporary" style. Holly smokes, what a baaaaad idea. These homes had the living room, diningroom, kitchen and familyroom all open to each other, then a vaulted livingroom ceiling that went up two stories to a loft and hallway that went to the bedrooms. You could NEVER get those homes comfortable, summer or winter.

They don't build these kinds anymore.

That's exactly like the house I thought of building. It's just like you descibed. I sat on the couch in the familyroom and it felt like the whole house was in one room. I really liked those huge windows though.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by Pensypat

Very nice to look at but they would be expensive and hard to heat where I live up in northern Pa. If I lived in a hot climate I would consider having one however.

Probably not a good idea in AZ. The electric is very expensive in the Summer.

[Wyody]

AIM - Congratulations on the new home - and in one of my most favorite states! Almost bought a trout-camp in the mountains there once. Made the papers over by White-Oak for catching and transporting a wild croc (taped him up -11ft long - and threw him in the ranger's back-seat)!
Vaulted ceilings are not effecient. Your "boxed-in" ceiling will really pay off in energy-efficiency and you still have a high ceiling.
I like A-frames for their simplicity - had one in MI - but boxed in the ceiling to save on heat. I think you'll be fine come resale time. Opinion only.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by Wyody

AIM - Congratulations on the new home - and in one of my most favorite states! Almost bought a trout-camp in the mountains there once. Made the papers over by White-Oak for catching and transporting a wild croc (taped him up -11ft long - and threw him in the ranger's back-seat)!
Vaulted ceilings are not effecient. Your "boxed-in" ceiling will really pay off in energy-efficiency and you still have a high ceiling.
I like A-frames for their simplicity - had one in MI - but boxed in the ceiling to save on heat. I think you'll be fine come resale time. Opinion only.

Thanks Wyody! We are excited I am ready to get out of the desert now, I never thought I say that.

[milliebfit]

a1m1700...you are getting out of the desert and we are headed there. I am excited that you found a house. We are headed back in april. We found the area in Tucson we want to live so hopefully we can find affordable homes. Is a great room like a family room?

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by milliebfit

a1m1700...you are getting out of the desert and we are headed there. I am excited that you found a house. We are headed back in april. We found the area in Tucson we want to live so hopefully we can find affordable homes. Is a great room like a family room?

Yes we are getting out and you are coming in. Yes a greatroom is a familyroom. Sometimes they refer to a greatroom when you just have a familyroom and no livingroom.

[milliebfit]

a1m1700..I can't say that I love the homes in Tucson. I do not like the flower pot roofs. I am use to the old type of home here in NJ. The home I have now is pretty old. I am sure we will find something. I just can't wait to be near my son and my sister.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by milliebfit

a1m1700..I can't say that I love the homes in Tucson. I do not like the flower pot roofs. I am use to the old type of home here in NJ. The home I have now is pretty old. I am sure we will find something. I just can't wait to be near my son and my sister.

That's funny I actually prefer the southwest homes with the tile roofs to the homes back east. I've only been to Tucson a few times but the homes are the same as Phoenix. The home we just purchased in NC reminds us of an AZ home on the inside. It has a courtyard in the center of the home.