ADU Tall Ceilings in Sacramento, California

One of the issues with accessory dwelling units is that they may feel confined. If your main house occupies most of the land or there are different structures in your backyard, a general contractor will likely advise you on a smaller ADU. In cases of significant space restrictions, you have to make use of every inch of your property.

High ceilings are a way to visually enlarge small spaces; extending them sideways is not an option. However, some types of high ceilings, for example, vaulted ceilings, are not as easy to implement in an ADU project.

You wonder how to create the illusion of an increased ADU footprint? Want to make your accessory dwelling unit appear more open and spacious? Let’s delve into ways to raise your ceiling height without spending a fortune on the complicated ADU design!

Tall Ceilings Function

Do you believe that an ADU is essentially a small space? There are plenty of ways to enhance the perception of spaciousness in a small accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, and high ceilings are one of them.

High ceilings serve multiple purposes, such as:

Making ADUs more ample and airy

If you’re unable to add square footage physically, you can try to expand interior spaces visually. Vertical accents like vaulted ceilings lead the eye upward, making the room feel taller and generally larger.

Improving lighting within an ADU

Taller ceilings give room to large windows, which enables more natural light to enter your living space, making it brighter and minimizing the necessity to employ electrical appliances.

Improving air circulation in an ADU

The more you let the air circulate inside your space, the better your living environment is. This efficient way of creating good ventilation allows you to save money on air conditioning and other expensive HVAC devices.

Enriching creative design opportunities

Have you thought about adding more storage space in the form of mezzanines? Or maybe you planned to incorporate lofts or intricate lighting fixtures? A small second story is a great way to bring all these ideas to life.

Searching for a way to integrate more room into your ADU project? Consider an idea with elevated ceilings to create more open space under the roof!

High Ceiling and Vaulted Ceiling: Difference

If a high ceiling is just a ceiling that’s higher than a standard one, a vaulted ceiling is an element that follows the roofline of the ADU. They are angular, asymmetrical ceilings, with the peak at the highest point. Although vaulted ceiling design may create a sense of sophistication in your ADU, it typically has a higher cost than a simple high ceiling. That is because vaulted ceilings, with their intricate elements, demand more difficult structural engineering.

Thus, if you’re looking for affordable housing solutions, an ADU design with tall but even ceilings can serve the same purpose: to provide a sense of vertical spaciousness.

Tall Ceiling Construction for the In-Law Unit

The major homeowner problems with tall ceilings are potential increases in construction costs, complexities related to adhering to building codes and acquiring permits, the possibility of affected airflow within an ADU, and also the complexity of the design process. Another issue is that if you raise your ceiling by making modifications to the walls, it may potentially compromise the stability of the structure.

That’s why, before construction, it’s advisable to take the following steps:

• Consulting with engineers or architects about structural changes to make sure the current ADU can accommodate the additional height;
• Studying building laws and regulations regarding maximum ceiling heights;
• Evaluating the impact on the HVAC system that tall ceilings may have (if the current system can serve the extra space);
• Evaluating if lighting and electrical systems can serve the current ADU size;
• Considering the placement of lighting fixtures for new spaces below the roof,
• Estimating how the sound will behave in the new conditions;
• Picking lightweight and durable materials to support the new areas;
• Considering the placement and access to windows and doors,
• Examining ways in which the tall ceilings will complement the spatial aesthetics of the ADU project;
• Contemplating how the extended timeline and raised costs will affect the project.

The tall ceiling creation process consists of multiple stages, such as preparation, obtaining permits and approvals, material selection, and the building itself. When you construct tall ceilings, you make the necessary modifications to the structure. It may involve reinforcing existing supports or adding extra structural elements like extra beams, lateral bracing, or the underpinning of the foundation. The increased vertical space may also require adding more utility connections. The construction process encompasses removing existing ceiling materials, altering framing, and installing new components of the ceiling.

It is invaluable to use the advice of professional ADU builders, designers, architects, engineers, and other adept experts who possess knowledge and expertise in the field of ADU construction. Only a thorough search, a carefully planned layout of the project, and the identification of possible pitfalls can reduce time, effort spent on the building, and the project cost.

Maximize Costs for Smaller Spaces

Tall ceilings may be a costly option for an ADU unit, and most homes cannot afford everything at once. That is why we gathered some ADU design solutions that can reduce the cost a bit so that you can increase the spaciousness and functionality of your property.

Here are a few ways to add cool features to a seemingly tiny area without getting into debt:

• Choose French doors

These doors usually have divided glass panels that may serve as exterior doors leading to the garden. Multi-window structures let in a lot of natural light, contributing to great solar gain for the whole floor.

1. Build an attic instead of a loft.

If you’ve allocated enough money for that, a loft is a very stylish solution. However, if you just need some space for storage, you might as well go for an attic and save tens of thousands of dollars.

1. Select full-sized kitchen appliances.

It may seem that large kitchen appliances are more expensive than their smaller counterparts, but essentially, that is not true. Of course, if you care more about saving space, then smaller appliances will suit you. But if you want to be more economical, we recommend that you buy some of the appliances in standard sizes and some smaller ones.

• Spare on window frame materials

If you aim for a rustic-style ADU house, wood-framed windows are almost a necessity. But if your design is more modern or minimalistic, vinyl-framed windows serve their purpose just as well.

1. Opt for laminate rather than hardwood.

Maybe you’ve always imagined your ideal family bedroom with a solid hardwood floor? If not, consider laminate or, especially, vinyl. This option is more costly than traditional laminate but is way cheaper than hardwood.

• Confine to a prefab shower

Surely, you can install a pricy marble-tile custom shower, but if your purpose is to cut unnecessary costs, then opting for simple bathrooms may be a wise solution. Especially if you notice a nice-looking shower or a toilet, you can really save a great deal on installation.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

What is an accessory dwelling unit in Sacramento, CA?

An ADU is a secondary home built on the same lot as your main home. Like all homes, they feature bedrooms, bathroom spaces, kitchens, and other versatile rooms. The idea of ADUs is to create more affordable housing options to support people with low incomes and provide them with housing opportunities while offering benefits to homeowners.

How do I add space to my property beyond remodeling my single-family residence?

If you want to generate more living space within the footprint of your property, you may choose to construct an ADU. ADUs in Sacramento differ in size, cost, layout, and design, allowing for plenty of customizable options for every taste and budget. You can opt for a garage conversion or a detached ADU in your backyard, a small studio ADU or a loft ADU, as well as a larger two-bedroom ADU.

How can I make my ADU more spacious?

There are many ways of doing so. First, you can extend it sideways by changing the position of the wall. Secondly, you can build a taller ceiling to extend the room upward. Both of these options require major-scale construction. If you don’t want to make a complete rehaul, simply opt for multifunctional furniture and other space-saving designer solutions.

What’s better: to build a second floor in my ADU or raise the ceiling of the first floor?

While the second floor offers more privacy and design flexibility, it may not be permissible in every situation due to general height restrictions. Also, typically, it takes more money to build a whole new floor than to extend your ceiling a bit more. On the other hand, tall ceilings require less extensive construction work and material and serve the same purpose: to create a more open feel in the living space without actually adding any square footage.