A cathedral ceiling is a ceiling found in churches. This ceiling has two equal sides whose tops meet at the center of the roof. Cathedral ceilings create a volume of space above and make the room look and feel larger.
You can expect to pay $3 to $6 to paint a cathedral ceiling. The cost of painting a cathedral ceiling is almost double that of painting an ordinary ceiling. The height and the need for ladders and scaffolding increase the cost of painting. It also takes a lot of time to paint a cathedral ceiling.
Many factors influence the cost of painting a ceiling. It is essential to prepare appropriately before you start painting.

Factors That Influence Cost
The Size Of The Ceiling
Expect to pay more if you have a large ceiling. It is more expensive to paint a cathedral ceiling than an ordinary ceiling.
A large ceiling needs more paint, more time, and more labor. You can expect to pay more for the additional resources you need to paint a large ceiling.
Amount of Prep Work Needed
A lot of work to prepare the ceiling incurs additional costs. You may have to carry out some repair works before painting. You may incur additional costs depending on the amount of work needed. The additional costs to repair the ceiling increase the cost of painting the ceiling.
DIY or Hiring A Contractor
If you DIY your ceiling paint job, it will cost you much less than if you hire a pro.
If you have the right skills and the time to paint a ceiling, buy the required supplies. Paint and paintbrushes are the only things to buy. You can get old clothes to cover the floor.
If you decide to DIY, you can expect to pay $150 to $400.
When you hire a contractor, you may have to pay more. The contractor will use their equipment to paint your ceiling. You can expect to pay $500 to $1500 when you hire a contractor.
The Ceiling Painting Process
There is a process to follow to ensure that you have a perfect result when you paint your ceiling.
First, move all the furniture out of the room. Doing this ensures that you don’t damage any of the furniture with drops of paint.
Next, you need to inspect the ceiling. Confirm that it needs a paint job and not a replacement. Also, make sure that it is dry enough to paint. Fill any holes on the ceiling and sand it down. Then apply a primer on the ceiling to keep it stain resistant.
Get the painting supplies that you require. Get your paint and paintbrushes, ladders, and scaffolding ready and get started on painting.
Start painting from one corner of the room moving to the opposite corner.
You will need at least two coats of paint to have your ceiling looking as good as new. When you finish painting, use a clean roller to smooth out the painted surface and touch up any missed spots.
Types Of Ceiling Paint
Latex Paint
Latex paints are the best to paint a ceiling. They are cheaper than oil-based paints and are easier to clean.
Matte or Gloss Finish Paints
For your final layer of paint on your ceiling, you can use matte paints, high-gloss, or semi-gloss paints. The glossy paints are more expensive and you can use them for an elegant finish on your ceiling. For a textured look and feel, you can use matte paints.
Cost To Paint Other Types Of Ceilings Compared
Room | Cost per sq ft |
---|---|
Cathedral | $3 - $6 |
Vaulted | $2 - $4 |
Flat | $1 - $1.2 |
Popcorn | $2 - $3.5 |
Vaulted Ceiling
A vaulted ceiling is a ceiling that extends upwards from the walls creating a volume of overhead space. Thus, a vaulted ceiling is a large surface area ceiling. It costs $2 to $4 to paint a vaulted ceiling.
Flat Ceiling
A flat ceiling will cost about $1 to $2.5 to paint. Flat ceilings are elegant and blend seamlessly with the walls.

Popcorn Ceiling
A popcorn ceiling has a textured feel and look. It is also known as cottage cheese or acoustic ceiling. It costs $2 to $3.5 to paint a popcorn ceiling. To make the ceiling textured, you may have to use more paint than when painting a flat ceiling.

Cost To Paint The Ceiling In Different Rooms
Room | Cost |
---|---|
Bathroom | $110 - $225 |
Kitchen | $150 - $375 |
Basement | $900 - $1,950 |
Garage | $400 - $1,000 |
Bathroom
For a 50 square foot bathroom, you can expect to pay $110 to $225. Your final price will depend on the size of the bathroom and the number of coats of paint you apply to your ceiling.
When you hire a contractor, you can expect to pay $150 to paint a bathroom ceiling.
Kitchen
If you want to make your kitchen more attractive, paint the ceiling. You can expect to pay $150 to $375 to paint your kitchen. For a larger kitchen, you may have to pay more.
Basement
Basement ceilings often need lots of work. Most of them are open and need to be covered before they can be painted. Depending on the size of your basement, you can expect to pay $900 to $1,950.
Garage
Depending on the size of the garage, you can expect to pay between $400 to $1,000. Do not leave your garage ceiling unfinished. Paint it to ensure that your garage is in good condition.
How To Hire A Pro For Your Ceiling Paint Job
To hire a pro for your paint job, use the homegardenguide.com tool.
Enter your zip code and fill in the form to provide additional details on your project.
You will then receive three quotes from three contractors with no obligation to hire.
Compare the quotes and hire one of the contractors for your painting job.
