Making Long Lasting Faux Beams

Faux beams are perfect for adding style to ceilings. Although these beams are installed for decorative purposes only, it is still recommended that you make them last longer. The beams have to be made of durable material like that of wood and painted or stained to produce professionally finished pieces.

Designing and Planning

Determine the dimensions of the beams by taking into consideration the size of the room where the beams will be installed. The length of each beam should correspond to the width of the ceiling. Determine the preferred width and depth of each beam as well. The width and depth of the beams should be uniform. Usually, beams are designed to be 4 inches in width, but this may vary depending on a person’s preference. The depth can be set at 1 to 4 inches. As soon as the dimensions of the beams are set, study the ceiling very well to know where to precisely install them.

Find out if there any obstacles in the ceiling that may interfere with the installation of each beam. The spacing will vary depending on the length of the ceiling. It can be set at more than, less than, or equal to 4 feet. Before deciding on the spacing, imagine the appearance of the faux beams if they are set at a particular spacing.

Building the Beams

When purchasing lumber, always choose those of the best quality. Because the beams are not intended to be functional, the design will follow a box-type beam. It is made out of three 5/4-inch lumber boards connected together to form a hollow beam with an open space on the top portion. One board will serve as the base, while the other two will be fastened to the sides of the base board. The boards can be mitered or recessed. The recessed type is easier to assemble because it will not require cutting the beams to a specific angle at the corners.

Before cutting each wooden board to the appropriate length, mark where each beam should go into the ceiling using a chalk marker. Measure the length of each marked location to ensure each board is cut precisely to the correct length. Assemble the boards using wood glue and finishing nails.

Staining or Painting

Depending on one’s preference, either stain the cut beams or paint them. Make sure that the paint provides contrast with the color of the ceiling. Cut the stain evenly and allow it to dry. To make the beam look darker, apply another coat of stain. When deciding to paint the beam, apply a high quality primer first, let it dry, and cut the preferred paint on every external surface.

Installation

This will require mounting blocks cut to fit the hollow parts of the beams. The blocks should be at least 2 inches deep and 3 inches long. Fasten two mounting blocks into the ceiling using screws or nails at both ends of the ceiling. Fit the beams into the mounting blocks and secure the beam to the sides of the mounting blocks using screws or nails.