A vault is a curved structural element that spans an opening — such as a doorway, window opening, or room — without intermediate supports. The load is transferred through the curved shape to the side walls or pillars, making a vault extremely strong without the use of steel or concrete.
Types of Vaults
| Type | Shape | Application |
|---|---|---|
| **Barrel vault** | Semi-circular, tunnel-like | Cellars, passages, corridors |
| **Round arch** | Half circle | Romanesque style, doorways |
| **Pointed arch** | Two arcs meeting at a point | Gothic churches, medieval buildings |
| **Cross vault** | Two intersecting barrel vaults | Romanesque and Gothic spaces |
| **Ribbed vault** | Barrel vault with visible ribs | Gothic churches, chapels |
| **Dome vault** | Circular, dome-shaped | Domed buildings, niches |
How Does a Vault Work?
A vault works by converting vertical load into horizontal thrust:
- The weight of the vault and load above presses downward
- The curved shape directs that force diagonally to the supports
- The supports (walls, pillars, buttresses) absorb the horizontal thrust
This principle makes vaults ideal for heavy spans — even without mortar, well-placed stones hold each other in place through compression.
Vaults in DIY Projects
As a DIYer, you’ll encounter vaults when:
- Renovating older homes — vaulted cellars, arched lintels above doors
- Garden walls with arched openings — decorative or functional
- Brick arches as lintels — a vault spanning a wide opening
- Ponds and garden features — arched bridges or niches
What Does It Cost?
| Option | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Simple brick arch (doorway) DIY | £/€ 150–400 materials + time |
| Hiring a bricklayer for an arch | £/€ 400–1,200 |
| Prefab concrete arch lintel | £/€ 80–250 |
DIY is very achievable using a temporary wooden form (centering) on which you lay the bricks. Once the mortar has cured, the vault is self-supporting.
> More guides and building plans: fredsdiyplans.com
Related Terms
- Keystone — the topmost stone at the center of a vault
- Springer / impost — the point where the arch begins
- Buttress — the reinforced wall projection that absorbs thrust
- Pilaster — flat wall projection used as decoration or support