
And, you’ll be pleased to know that you can find fake wood beams that look exactly like the real thing. Most faux wood products are made from high-density polyurethane, a material which allows for highly realistic textures. In many cases, it’s impossible to tell the difference between fake wood beams and real beams simply by looking at them.
How much does it cost to install faux wood beams?
The average national cost to install contractor-grade faux wood beams made from polyurethane is $18.00 per linear foot. You’ll pay an average of $7.50 per linear foot in materials and $10.50 per linear foot in labor costs for professional installation by a local handyperson or a general contractor near you.
How do you make Faux wood beams?
– Step 1: Find and mark the studs in your room. … – Step 2: Measure, cut and, attach untreated (and unfinished) pine 1″ x 8″s to your ceiling. … – Step 3: Begin to create your faux beams. … – Step 4: Lightly sand and wipe your beams. … – Step 5: Stain your beams. … – Step 7: Cover the gaps for a finished look.
How to make DIY faux beams with wood?
How to make faux wood beams
- Remove any staples, splinters or other objects from your cedar boards.
- Sand each board until smooth.
- Stain all boards with 1-2 coats of stain (I only did 1) and try to maintain color consistency throughout.
- Allow to dry.
- Using a brad nailer and brad nails, assemble and nail 3 boards into a 3 sided rectangular box. ...
- Cut 2x4s into approximately 4″ squares. ...
How to make Faux beams from foam insulation pieces?
Install A Ceiling
- Glue several boards together into a solid beam. This will be much more resistant to damage, but requires more foam.
- Glue three boards together into the base and sides of a beam, leaving the beam itself hollow. This uses less foam but is more susceptible to damage.
- Allow the glue to completely dry.
- You are simulating the appearance of wood grain. ...

Do faux beams look real?
This material is lightweight, which makes them easy to install, yet they are still dense and durable. Do Faux Beams Look Real? Absolutely.
Do faux beams make a ceiling look higher?
An exposed ceiling beam draws the eye up and creates an illusion of greater ceiling height. Traditionally, exposed beams signified high ceilings, and Faux beams are used to create the same effect.
Are faux wood beams expensive?
Based on these options you'll be able to get a price for your new remodel. Faux wood beams come in the option to be 3-sided or 4-sided. You can choose what works best for you based on your remodel cost and goals. Depending on all of your options and style, a faux wood beam can range anywhere from $10-$3,000.
Do wood beams make a room look smaller?
Beams running the length of the room make a short room seem longer. In a small house, or just as an afterthought of a bedroom or guest room, install beams parallel to the longest walls to emphasize the stretch of space.
Which direction should faux beams run?
In most buildings, structural beams run across the shortest length of ceiling because that enables them to support the most amount of weight. This is safe bet for most people installing faux – especially on flat ceilings. If you're installing beams on a sloping or apex ceiling, you could run them either way.
How big should faux beams be?
Choosing The Right Size They mention that “the width and depth of decorative beams should be proportional to the size of the room. The bigger the room and the higher the ceiling, the wider and deeper the beams. In rooms with 8 or 9-foot ceilings, beams that are about 5 inches wide and 3 inches or so deep are typical.”
How do you attach faux beams to the ceiling?
2:308:50How to Install Faux-Wood Beams - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI begin by marking the rails at 36 inch intervals. Then drill a quarter inch hole on the marked.MoreI begin by marking the rails at 36 inch intervals. Then drill a quarter inch hole on the marked. Spots. This part is best done with two people. So i ask my friend justin to lend a hand.
Are faux wood beams cheaper than wood?
Faux wood is a great alternative to real wood when you're using it for ceiling beams. Faux wood is lighter, requires less maintenance, and is less expensive than real wood.
How much does it cost to build a faux beam?
Faux wood beams generally cost $75 to $375 per 10-foot section, excluding installation costs, depending on the material and quality. Composite beams made from polyurethane are generally more affordable, but high-quality pieces are nearly indistinguishable from natural wood.
Can you put beams on 8 ft ceilings?
The bigger the room and the higher the ceiling, the wider and deeper the beams. In rooms with 8 or 9-foot ceilings, beams that are about 5 inches wide and 3 inches or so deep are typical.
Do beams need to match floors?
The ceiling beams and floor of a room do not necessarily need to match. Matching your beams to your ceiling can pull the room together, but it can also negatively impact some situations. Dark beams with dark floors can be too much darkness and make the room feel cave-like.
How do you modernize ceiling beams?
There are several options for updating ceiling beams. One is to paint them a color that contrasts with the ceiling to give a room a bolder look. Or, the beams can be painted a matching color for a more subtle effect. Other options include sanding and staining the beams instead of painting them.
How do you make low ceilings look higher?
How to Make Ceilings Look Higher: 10 Cool Tricks to TryChoose a lighter ceiling color. ... Match crown molding and trim to wall color. ... Place art high. ... Apply decorative paneling. ... Decorate with tall floral or greenery arrangements. ... Avoid overhead lights. ... Raised interior door openings. ... Use vertical stripes and patterns.More items...•
Can you put beams on low ceiling?
As counterintuitive as it may seem to make parts of your ceiling even lower, wooden beams look right at home on a low ceiling.
Can you put beams on 8 ft ceilings?
The bigger the room and the higher the ceiling, the wider and deeper the beams. In rooms with 8 or 9-foot ceilings, beams that are about 5 inches wide and 3 inches or so deep are typical.
Can you add beams to low ceiling?
Even in a blank space with little to no architectural details and very low ceilings, adding ceiling beams can entirely transform a room. Best of all, they can be quite cost-effective to install relative to their huge impact on a room.
Why are faux wood beams so bad?
The biggest issue with faux wood beams is that they are often installed too tightly against other structures, which causes stresses and warping of the individual board segments .
What is fake wood?
Faux (pronounced ‘fow’) wood beams are realistic-looking imitation wood beams with an aged and worn appearance that are constructed of Polyurethane, a polymer that resembles high-density foam and is strong, durable, light, waterproof, erosion-resistant, infestation-resistant, cost-effective, and easily formed.
How far apart are blocks of wood placed on the ceiling?
Blocks of wood are placed at a distance of about 1 meter on the ceiling and secured with screws.
What is a faux wood beam?
Faux wood beams are long, hollow three-sided boxes. After installation, the U-shape faces up and the three finished sides face the room. A hidden cleat attaches securely to the ceiling drywall. The faux beam straddles the cleat, and fasteners attach the beam to the cleat from the sides. Distressing—a way of rapidly antiquing wood—makes your faux ...
How much does a 3 sided beam cost?
Of the three options, this is the most convenient since you purchase them from online suppliers. There is nothing to build; it's all assembly work. A 20-foot, 4-inch-square polyurethane foam beam will cost in the range of $400 to $500.
What is distressing wood?
Distressing—a way of rapidly antiquing wood —makes your faux beam look like it has been there for ages. When two beams butt up against other, metal beam straps cover the seam. They're used for covering the ends, too, and they're easy to put on.
How to age wood?
Age the wood mechanically with the distressing tools as you see fit. Scrape, gouge, scratch, and pound shallow holes. Wash the wood with stain and wipe off with steel wool. Or wash with a vinegar and water mixture, then wipe off.
How long has Lee been remodeling?
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years.
What to use if you don't have a table saw?
A table saw will cut straight and clean. If you don't have a table saw, use a circular saw and a saw guide.
How to glue a board to a wood floor?
Lay the glued board carefully on edge on the bottom board, with the glue side down. Screw the side board to the bottom board very tightly. Be ready with a cloth to wipe away excess wood glue. Repeat with the second side board.
1. Aesthetic Quality
One of the concerns you may have about fake wood is whether it holds up visually. And, you’ll be pleased to know that you can find fake wood beams that look exactly like the real thing.
2. Lightweight Composition
In addition to the wide range of visual qualities available, fake wood is also far lighter than real beams. Polyurethane foam weighs only a fraction of real wood, and fake wood beams are hollowed out on the inside, further cutting weight down and allowing room for cables or pipes, if needed.
3. Lower Maintenance
Along with the ease of installation, polyurethane adds enduring beauty to your home in that it doesn’t decay the way real wood does.
4. Cost Effectiveness
Their lightweight, ease of installation, and low maintenance make fake wood beams more cost effective than real wood. In addition, faux wood frequently costs less upfront than real wood, lowering their impact on your finances.
What is a faux wood beam?
Wooden beams can make a huge statement in your home. This beautiful and historic design is often sought after as people want wood beam ceiling designs to give a real touch of class to their home. Beams can sit above fireplaces, or supporting the home structurally.
Can you put beams above a fireplace?
Beams can sit above fireplaces, or supporting the home structurally. However, wooden beams aren’t the most convenient way of building we have anymore. Also, they can require a lot of upkeep and maintenance. We offer the number one alternative. By producing and installing faux wood beams we give a realistic look while also avoiding some ...
Can you use faux wood beams instead of wood beams?
Another huge benefit of the fact that you can use faux wood beams instead of having an actual wood beam ceiling or weight-bearing wood is the ease of installation. Our team can install these in any property without a huge amount of time invested. Yet another benefit of these faux wood beams is the fact that they can come in unusual designs ...
Can you mimic a ceiling beam?
Modern technology allows them to mimic the look of traditional wooden beams and ceiling beams without having to actually contain any wood. Things like intricate coloring, patterns and the grain of the wood can all be replicated without having to actually use any wood.
Can faux beams be manufactured?
Our faux beams can be manufactured to look exactly how you want them to. We have different types of beams which replicate different styles of wood which are perfect for your own home or building project.
Can you add faux beams to a house?
As you can see from our photo gallery, the faux beams look absolutely fantastic but don’t have any of the downsides, and you can add them afterwards. The beams don’t have to be a part of the build of your home, they can be added to a home that has been built in a modern style with no issues whatsoever to create the classic look of wooden beams.
Can you paint faux beams?
You can easily get a wood ‘stained’ or painted effect on your faux beams. This is much easier than painting or staining an actual wood beam and doesn’t have any negative impact on the wood itself which could otherwise become damaged or degraded if you start to treat it with the wrong materials.
1-Can Faux Wood Beams be Painted or Stained?
Faux wood beams over time may need a color touch-up, or some people simply need to change the color of the beam to something else they like.
2-Do faux wood beams look real?
The texture, color, and shape in which faux wood beams are normally manufactured are of such quality that you would not be able to distinguish a real wood beam from a fake one.
3-Do faux beams add value to your home?
Faux wood beams are not structural elements, but this does not mean that it is not an element that does not add value to a property, fake wood beams are decorative elements and these elements are considered part of the set of elements that are considered to value a property.
4-Can faux wood beams be used outside?
Faux wood beams can be used without problems in outdoor spaces, some homeowners feel insecure about using faux wood beams in outdoor space, thinking that it could be damaged by rain or in spaces where solar radiation reaches.
5-How much can a faux wood beam weigh?
Faux wood beams come in different sizes and are quite light, in fact, this is one of their best qualities, but to get an idea of their weight you can compare the weight per linear foot.
7-Why are faux wood beams so expensive?
Many people consider faux wood beams to be expensive relative to traditional wood, but in reality, the price of faux wood beams is based on their performance and lifetime savings, in terms of cost, materials made with high-density polyurethane such as fake wood beams are very competitive.
QUALITY
We start with the finest wood possible and our skilled craftsmen spend hours meticulously working the wood the same way they did in the old days until you end up with the most authentic looking beams, mantels and planks anywhere in the world.
CRAFTMANSHIP
Rest assured, all of these products are made out of the finest quality real wood possible so that you end up with the most authentic looking beams, mantels and planks available anywhere.
INTEGRITY
As a family owned and operated business for many years, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work. Our customers have always been the center of our company and we strive to deliver the highest quality products every time, or else we will make it right.
SERVICE
Here at EFM Beams, we strive to ensure our customers are happy with their products and their ordering process. No matter the issue or question, you can feel free reach out to our friendly team and get a quick response. We value long-lasting relationships with our customers and strive to meet their needs wherever possible.

Aesthetic Quality
- One of the concerns you may have about fake wood is whether it holds up visually. And, you’ll be pleased to know that you can find fake wood beams that look exactly like the real thing. Most faux wood products are made from high-density polyurethane, a material which allows for highly realistic textures. In many cases, it’s impossible to tell the d...
Lightweight Composition
- In addition to the wide range of visual qualities available, fake wood is also far lighter than real beams. Polyurethane foam weighs only a fraction of real wood, and fake wood beams are hollowed out on the inside, further cutting weight down and allowing room for cables or pipes, if needed. Although fake wood beams aren’t good for structural framing, their lightweight composi…
Lower Maintenance
- Along with the ease of installation, polyurethane adds enduring beauty to your home in that it doesn’t decay the way real wood does. Real beams may rot over time, losing the initial aesthetic beauty they would add to your home, and they can also be eaten away by pests. Polyurethane doesn’t have this problem—it endures for decades to come without the risk of rot or infestation. …
Cost Effectiveness
- Their lightweight, ease of installation, and low maintenance make fake wood beams more cost effective than real wood. In addition, faux wood frequently costs less upfront than real wood, lowering their impact on your finances. The lightweight composition of fake wood beams means they’re easy to install, but also easy to transport. This equates to lower shipping costs and furthe…