# Looking for a word to describe a ceiling feature/ceiling trim. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 2, 2017, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466 "2017-11-02T05:30:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/1 "2017-11-02T05:30:15Z")
Hi Is there a word to describe what looks like an oval-shaped/ square or rectangular-shaped ceiling feature that is inset from from the main ceiling with chamfered borders. Is there any architectural term for this entire feature which appears quite often in building entrances. I look forward to your feedback. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/2 "2017-11-02T07:25:10Z")
The feature is a “coffer”, and a ceiling which has a pattern of coffers (as opposed to a single coffer) is said to be “coffered”. ---
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/3 "2017-11-02T07:53:00Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > The feature is a “coffer”, and a ceiling which has a pattern of coffers (as opposed to a single coffer) is said to be “coffered”. Thanks UDS. That’s exactly it. So be they wooden or plaster ceilings, they can be called coffered ceilings I presume. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/4 "2017-11-02T08:48:51Z")
I think a coffered ceiling can be wood or plaster (or stone or anything else) but it does require [a pattern of coffers](http://www.royalfoam.us/upload/medialibrary/be6/royalfoam-coffered-ceilings-2.jpg). I wouldn’t call [this](http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6a8975db3a8378b3f6bba41e80b7eab5?width=1024) a coffered ceiling, even though it does feature a large coffer. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/5 "2017-11-02T11:16:51Z")
In my years of watching _This Old House_ the single was always/often referred to as a [tray ceiling](https://www.google.com/search?q=tray+ceiling&num=100&newwindow=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS3drK35_XAhWLMSYKHbErB_UQ_AUICigB&biw=1067&bih=449). CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/6 "2017-11-02T12:55:07Z")
If you have trouble with such a ceiling, does it become coffer-damned? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/7 "2017-11-02T14:46:50Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > I wouldn’t call [this](http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6a8975db3a8378b3f6bba41e80b7eab5?width=1024) a coffered ceiling, even though it does feature a large coffer. I wouldn’t call that a coffer, it looks more like some variety of drop or false ceiling. A coffer would be continuous, not have that gap between levels. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/8 "2017-11-02T22:30:16Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > In my years of watching _This Old House_ the single was always/often referred to as a [tray ceiling](https://www.google.com/search?q=tray+ceiling&num=100&newwindow=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS3drK35_XAhWLMSYKHbErB_UQ_AUICigB&biw=1067&bih=449). > > CMC fnord! Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![zuer-coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ba9def/32.png) [@zuer-coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuer-coli)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe-a-ceiling-feature-ceiling-trim/800466/9 "2017-11-02T23:14:37Z")
Well some of the the ceilings referenced, the ones that have a single raised portion, are known in these parts as a Monitor Ceiling. It might just be a regionalism. Many building features may be known by different names on a regional basis. As for the one ceiling that appears to have an setback that is slightly bigger than the initial opening. That set back is for recessed lighting. Zuer-coli