• The high points of a vaulted ceiling can be reached with a ladder or paint roller extension.ceiling fan image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
  
  Vaulted ceilings are a popular style because they create an open feeling to any room. The ceiling rises at an angle on all sides until all the sides meet at a point, usually in the middle of the room. The rising ceiling does create a challenge while painting. The height of the ceiling and the steep angle make it much harder to paint than a typical flat ceiling. Despite this, the patient painter equipped with a paint roller and extension can successfully paint a vaulted ceiling.
  
  

Choosing the Right Equipment and Materials

• The equipment that you need to paint a vaulted ceiling is similar to most interior paint jobs. You will need to have a 9-inch paint roller and a paint brush. The paint roller will not be able to reach the corners of the ceiling and the wall but the paint brush will be able to. A ladder is needed to reach the the corners with the brush and and a roller extension is needed to reach the high points on the ceiling. Most vaulted ceilings rise too high to reach with ladders. Even if your ladder can reach every spot, you are limited to how much you can paint since the ladder is fixed in one position. A roller extension provides the most freedom. Flat paint is the best for ceilings since overlapping will not show up when the paint is dried.
  
  

Preparing the Painting Site

• The entire area under the ceiling needs to be protected. The floor should be covered with cloth. A plastic covering will also protect the floor but this type of covering tends to stick to shoes and rip. Furniture should be covered with a plastic covering. All fixtures should be removed as much as possible. For example, any hanging lights or ceiling fans should be removed from the ceiling if at all possible. Any fixtures left on the ceiling should be covered with plastic and painter's tape. The walls do not need to be covered. Any dry wall cracks near the ceiling should also be repaired.
  
  

Painting

• Use the brush to paint the corners of the ceiling. You should paint out at least four inches from the corners since the roller will not be able to reach the corners. Paint in a straight line once you begin using the roller. This will ensure an even application. When you finish one line, move over and start painting another line overlapping the line you just finished by four inches. Overlapping will not cause the finished ceiling to have an uneven look. A high quality flat paint will ensure an even finish. Move the roller slowly as you get close to the walls to prevent paint from transferring onto the walls.