Installing a Fan/Chandelier on exposed beam

Hi

I recently bought a new home with 3 exposed beams in the living room. I don't know this is real wood / faux or what it's made of. It looks like wrapped in drywall. Looking at the pictures, can you identify what exactly is this beam? Is it safe to install ceiling fans/Chandelier on this beam? Could you give some ideas on how to do this? I really appreciate any input.

Joe

 

Welcome to the forums.

It pretty hard to tell from the picture what the construction is. Do those beams go "into" the attic or an attic area ? You'll need a way to get the wiring out there.... possibly thru an attic.

A picture further away would help too.

 

A few thoughts. It seems to me you have 3 issues to address: 1) what's the beam made of, 2) how is it attached to the ceiling, and 3) how would you run electricity? Points 1 and 2 are needed to determine whether the beam will support the load and how it will handle the torque from the fan.

First, having bought a new home I'd contact the builder to get answers to your questions. If that's not possible, my suggestion is to get above the beam to try to determine the material from above.

 

Thanks Tony and PJMax.

Unfortunately the builder has declared bankruptcy and no longer reachable. Onside goes to the attic and I can certainly get electricity thorough that end. The other end goes the seconds floor bedroom. I am not sure what this beam is made of. It's certainly not solid wood. It could be hollow and I am afraid to make any holes if this will impact the stability. Is it a possible to have additional horizontal beams to install the fan / Chandelier to avoid drilling into existing vertical beams?I think getting electric is not an issue. Please see the picture if you have any additional comments.



Joe

 

Why not use a ceiling fan with a long down rod and come from the ceiling not the beam?

 

I like Ray's suggestion. Also, hollow scares me.

 

>> Why not use a ceiling fan with a long down rod ..

Thanks! That's certainly a possibility. However the ceiling is 20' high and some of the fans I am interested in supports only 5' or 6' rods.

Thank you for your input.

Joe

 

Hollow beam to me says not weight bearing and likely not able to support a fan.

 

If you just mean that is the longest down rod they supply not a manufacture imposed restriction in the instructions you can usually make your own from ½" black iron pipe and paint to the color you want.