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Cloister Vaults

Cloister Vaults

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Need help with your order?

Call 877.303.ACME (2263)

CLOISTER VAULT SPECIFICATIONS

Cloister vaults, also known as dome vaults, are a close cousin to the groin vault. Where the groin vault arches towards the center from the corners of the walls, the cloister vault arches toward the center from a constant spring point along the wall. This slight difference makes a huge impact on the overall design. Plus, if you’re looking to add height to a room on an exterior wall, the cloister vault can arch up into your attic, curving underneath your roof rafters.

Material

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
(High Grade Moisture Resistant) & Plywood
Thickness (in.) 1 ½” thick struts
Depth (in.)

3 ½” deep struts
California residents see Prop 65 WARNINGS
Lead Times
Lead Times

Most cloister vaults ship within 10 to 14 business days (in most cases sooner).

Order Updates
Order Updates

The next business day following your order, we’ll email you a projected ship date.

When It Ships
When It Ships

Once your order ships, we’ll email (or text) you tracking information.

Easy to Install
Easy to Install

Your cloister vault will come with simple instructions making installation a breeze.

HOW TO MEASURE A CLOISTER VAULT CEILING

  1. Measure the long side of your cloister vault to the nearest 1/8”. 
  2. Measure the short side of your dome vault to the nearest 1/8”. 
  3. Choose a rise for your dome vault kit to the nearest 1/8”. 
  4. Enter the location (place) where the dome vault will be installed in your project (for example: Dining Rm, Gallery Hall, Entry, #1 Dome Vault).

CHOOSING A CLOISTER VAULT RISE

Choosing a rise for your dome vault is mostly personal taste along with the overall design/theme of the home. As long as you keep in mind that the highest point of a cloister vault is at the center and that it is from here that it drops down along your wall in a straight line, then you’ll be fine. If you have any concerns about placement of your cloister vault, feel free to call us and we’d be happy to walk you through the process.

HOW TO INSTALL A CLOISTER VAULT

Every cloister vault kit comes with tailored installation instructions to your specifications. Installing a dome vault is comprised of setting the centering support beams to the total height, fastening the cloister hips into place and then attaching each strut to the wall and to the cloister hip as specified by the installation instructions. If you can color by number and operate a nail gun, then you can install one of our cloister vault ceilings.

FAQ

How long does it take to get my cloister vault?

Cloister vault kits normally take 10 - 14 business days to manufacture (in most cases sooner). Then add a few days for shipping. Plan for 2 1/2 to a little over 3 weeks from date of order.

How do you ship my cloister vault?

Depending upon the size of your cloister vault and/or the size of your total order, it will either ship in boxes via UPS Ground or in a crate via UPS Freight. Once your order has finished processing (usually 1 business day after order), you'll be notified when and how it will ship. If you’d like to know before you order, call us and we’ll let you know.

How do you drywall a cloister vault?

Drywalling a cloister vault is comprised of measuring the curvature, cutting the drywall to the curvature, forming and fastening in place. While we currently don't have a cloister vault drywall video, you can visit our YouTube page and watch some of our other drywall videos. While the application is different, the concepts are the same.

QUICK TIPS

  • Wetting the back of the drywall will make the drywall easier to bend.
  • For a tighter radius, consider using a double layer of either ¼” or ¼” flex drywall.

How do you finish cloister vaults?

Drywall, plaster, wood veneer, brick veneer, trim, tile… the list is seemingly endless. Whether you want your cloister vault to have a simple or an ornate finish, the choice is yours. You can also watch our "7 Creative Ideas to Finish Your Ceilings & Archways" YouTube video.

what our customers are saying

We’re a fan of the groin vault kits from Archways & Ceilings. We have been using them for a few years now and the quality and the ‘WOW’ factor their groin vault kits create are well worth the cost. Plus, their customer service is excellent!

Nick Fisher/ Owner

Dream Structures LLC, Springdale, AR

We were absolutely satisfied with our dome ceiling. The service and communication we got from Archways & Ceiling was top notch. We would highly recommend working with them and using their products.

Nuchem Grunhut

Done Right Construction, Monroe, NY

I would highly recommend Archways & Ceilings for coved ceilings. Their kits takes what can be a hard task for a carpenter and makes it into a simple project. The savings over other products we have used like Styrofoam is significant with better durability.

David Hanson

Hanson Carlen, Spokane, WA

Archways & Ceilings does a great job on all of their products. Specifically, we have been using their barrel vaults exclusively since 2009 and the exact precision with which they are made cannot be replicated in the field by traditional stick framing methods. For a truly high-end finish and a shape nothing short of perfection, Archways & Ceilings materials are the way to go.

Les Owens

LRO Residential

Archways & Ceilings is a great company to have as a resource.  We know that when we take on projects that require a variety of arched ceilings, we can count on them to come through.  We recently completed a project that required an elliptical barrel vault that intersected with 6 half circle arches at different heights which they call “Igloos.”  This ceiling came out terrific and came out like the architect spec’d.

Todd Handwerk, President

Calais Custom Homes, Southlake, TX