Perhaps the most familiar departure is the cathedral ceiling, which angles upward from walls to peak, following the roof’s pitch. Such a ceiling adds drama and a sense of spaciousness to a room. On the downside, a room with cathedral or higher-than-normal ceilings is more expensive to heat because warm air rises to the upper part of the room.

More decorative ceilings may be clad or covered with wood paneling or, in the case of some old, classic ceilings, pressed metal.

Another familiar variation is the suspended ceiling. This type, often used to lower a too-high ceiling or to hide cracks and mechanical equipment, consists of a metal grid that receives removable panels. The entire apparatus is suspended from the ceiling joists or existing ceiling.