Hardwood moulding is a popular fixture in many homes across the country. Applying moulding to homes is both practical and attractive, providing clean and smooth transitions from door to wall, floor to wall, wall to ceiling, and much more. Not all surfaces are rigid and in corners, however, and when your walls deviate from standard design to form curves and circular motions, a different approach must be taken. This is when flex moulding saves the day. Flex moulding has all of the same exact uses as hardwood moulding, but with an added bonus. This moulding is created to be true to its name, staying flexible and easy to bend for the sake of fitting around circular, oval, and arched places. Eccentric walls that curve at angles around the floors deserve special additions that will complement their unique features, and flexible moulding achieves this. This moulding is meant to be bent, pulled, and pushed for optimum effect. For the best possible moulding, look to Volterra Architectural Products, a business that specializes moulding and millwork. Their Volterra Flex™ line features trim moulding for all designs and application possibilities. It is created from a urethane resin material, which allows for the ultimate synergy between sturdiness and flexibility. These flexible moulding goods will last through extreme temperatures and wet climates, and they can be installed with ease. All Volterra Flex™ products are manufactured to complement any hardwood moulding profile or style. The unique curves of a house warrant special consideration to bring out their unique qualities, and flex moulding has the power to make it happen. Volterra’s special texture options make these materials all the more useful in beautifying your home, allowing customers to select from smooth surfaces that are ready for paint to wood grain surfaces meant to be stained for an authentic natural appearance. To learn more about how Volterra Flex™ can enhance the curved areas of your house, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.
Category: Architectural Product Blog – Design Tips, Inspiration, Industry Trends
What is the Difference Between a Corbel and a Bracket
What is the difference between a corbel and bracket?
If you are looking for a great way to add some character to your home, you should consider using decorative wood corbels or brackets. Both are most commonly used for exterior purposes, but many homeowners use them indoors as well to add to their existing décor.
At Volterra Architectural Products, we offer a wide selection of both corbels and brackets in different decorative wood types. These two unique architectural elements are very similar when it comes to decorative purposes, but there are some key differences that you should be aware of. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the differences between corbels and brackets so you can make an informed decision when choosing the right one for your project.
What Are Decorative Wood Corbels?
Corbels are a type of bracket that is used to support weight. They are often found in architecture where they are used to add visual interest or to conceal structural supports. Decorative corbels, however, are not load-bearing and are purely for aesthetic purposes. Inside, they can be used to add a decorative touch to an archway, fireplace mantel, or in another area of your home. Outside, they can be used to add visual interest to porch ceilings, gables, or other areas of your home.
Decorative wood corbels are made of high density foam and are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and wood types. You can find them with intricate designs or more simple and modern ones to fit your taste. At Volterra, we offer three different types of decorative wood for our corbels: Doug Fir, Rough Sawn, and Majestic.
What Are Decorative Wood Brackets?
Brackets are used to support weight in a similar way to corbels, but they are typically less decorative. They are most commonly used in exterior applications, such as supporting a porch roof or gable. They can also be used inside to support countertops or other heavy objects. Like corbels, decorative wood brackets are made of high density foam and are not intended to be used for load-bearing purposes. Instead, they are used to add visual interest to the interior or exterior of your home.
There is a wide selection of brackets available in different shapes, sizes, and wood types. At Volterra, we offer two different types of decorative wood for our brackets: Doug Fir and Rough Sawn.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Two?
In structural applications, corbels are more decorative than brackets and are often used to conceal supports. Brackets, on the other hand, are less decorative and are almost exclusively used in exterior applications. When it comes to decorative purposes, corbels and brackets can be used interchangeably. The main difference is in the shape of the two. Volterra’s faux wood corbels and brackets have many similarities — they are manufactured with the same high-quality urethane material, are lightweight and easy to install, and are virtually maintenance-free.
If you are looking to add some character to your home, decorative wood corbels and brackets are a great way to do it. Both make it easy to add a touch of wood to your interior or exterior décor, and with our wide selection of shapes, sizes, and wood types, you are sure to find the perfect one for your project. Visit Volterra Architectural Products today to get started.
Make Your Moulding Come to Life with a Decorative Wood Trim
Moulding and millwork are regular practices for sprucing up a home with essential components that complete the looks of walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows. These unique trims make the contrast between these different features much more streamlined, easier to follow, and attractive. While some may see these facets as unnecessary, the fact remains that moulding gives each part its own unique definition, beautifying the house as a whole. A decorative wood trim achieves this goal with lavish colors and special textures. Wood trims might not be immediately noticeable, but when given character and color, they bring out the best in any room around the house. Ceilings and wall corners open up with these attractive trims, and their subtle magic works to amplify the depth of halls, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and more. Volterra Architectural Products supplies wood trims of the finest quality, having been in the business for years with an unprecedented standard of excellence. Their wood trims are available in various shapes and sizes to meet any consumer’s needs for a final home layout project. Crown moulding, base moulding, panel moulding, casing, and more—they have it all for the ultimate wood trims. Volterra’s wood trim products are available in hundreds of different profiles and a variety of wood species, including poplar, which is the cheapest and most used, alder, knotty alder, walnut, cherry, and many more. Different wood types can be selected based on the interior design style and desired effect. For more information on the beautiful wood trims you can purchase from Volterra Architectural Products in Phoenix, Arizona, call 602.258.7373 today.
Crown Molding Angles for Difficult Spots
The process of molding is often one of the final steps in completing the decoration and design of a dream house. Molding fills in the dead space between walls and floors and walls and ceilings, as well as that around doors and windows. Without molding, the overall look would be uncomfortable and jarring. Crown molding in particular is crucial for corners at the tops of walls, where the wall meets the ceiling at an angle. Crown molding angles must be determined before completing this particular trim. Crown molding is an essential application for spaces where two walls converge. The angle must first be determined before this process goes any further, however. The molding must be cut at a 90-degree angle so that the pieces properly fit around the walls and fit snugly into this corner. The piece of molding is then cut at a 45-degree angle to properly separate them, allowing them to meet smoothly and accurately for maximum effect. The result of a proper crown molding angle is to bring these three individual components together as one, helping them meet properly just as they were intended when they were first created. Without crown molding, these major home features look lost and disconnected. Volterra Architectural Products has a long catalog of crown molding products created to fit any type of trim where two walls meet. Some are short and angular, while others are long with flowing curves. Volterra manufactures crown molding for any size and style, and with the right wood type, these trims will provide depth, ambiance, and atmosphere to any room. Each and every product is held to Volterra’s rigorous standards for quality, ensuring that each one is applicable to any design, no matter how unique. For a complete overview of the many crown molding angles offered by Volterra Architectural Products, call 602.258.7373 today.
Different Types of Mouldings
When you start investigating trim or moulding for your home, the large amount of options might surprise you. Moulding goes far beyond the simple baseboards and wall-to-ceiling seams you might have originally considered. Here are some of the different types of mouldings you are likely to run across in your research. Band A band looks fairly simple and flat, often used around cabinets or mantles. It can sit flush or be raised on the surface. Baseboard This is the moulding around the floor, which can be simple or made of different layered styles. Casing This is often used around openings such as doors and windows. It usually comes in interior and exterior varieties. The interior casing is used on the inside of the window or door and the exterior is used on the outside. Chair Rail This moulding gets its name from its original purpose of keeping chairs from damaging walls. It often sits a few feet off the floor and divides the wall into two different horizontal sections. It might actually consist of more than one type of trim. Crown This is the moulding that trims where the wall and ceiling come together. It’s also known as a cornice moulding. Panel If you have construction in your home using raised-panel walls, you might consider panel moulding. It is a very decorative option. Picture This is a special type of moulding that is also known as a picture rail, since you can use it to support hooks for hanging pictures. Quarter Round This type of moulding is a quarter of a circle rod and is often used as a base moulding. When you venture into the thought of installing mouldings, you probably never dreamed there were so many options. In addition to choosing the type, you will also need to decide between painted mouldings, which can be hardwood or MDF, and stained hardwood mouldings in various areas of your home. There are all kinds of possibilities that this type of trim presents. Ask your manufacturer about additional moulding options for your home. To learn more about the different types of mouldings available at Volterra Architectural Products, call 602.258.7373 today
Flex Moulding in AZ
Have you ever stepped into a nice home and stood in awe at the finished edges all around you? Moulding is one of those items in a home that give a luxurious and finished feel in every room. Upon closer investigation, you might start to wonder how a homeowner was able to get beautiful trim on curved archways or windows. The simple answer to that is flex moulding in AZ. How It’s Used Flex moulding is a flexible trim option to give nearly any edge in your home a completely finished or polished look. Trim can be made of many different types of materials, including wood and resin. While wood looks beautiful and straight, sometimes the edges of your home are not as straight as they ought to be for the use of such trim. Flexible trim can be molded to the shape of your edge. This still creates a straight-edged look, even though the trim is able to flex to the angle of the edge. Advantages to Flexible Moulding Flexible trim is perfect for use in areas of your home that have a curved radius or non-straight edge. Archways, pillars, windows, and more can benefit from flexible trim. If you’re hoping to achieve a desired color or appearance, this type of trim can also be painted. If you still wanted a wood-like appearance to your curved edges, you can still achieve that with a paint job. In addition, this type of trim is easy to install, which simplifies that job for you. Give Your Home a Polished Look In the end, flex moulding in AZ gives every area of your home the professional polished look that you desire. It doesn’t matter if it’s an odd curve in the corner of the room, an artistic window, trim around some lighting, or a decorative ceiling; flexible trim provides all kinds of possibilities to every room in your home. Ask your contractor or manufacturer about your trim options today. To learn more about flex moulding in AZ, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.
Manufactured Beams Replicate the Look of Natural Wood
Installing wood beams in your home is a beautiful way to add architectural detail to any room. While real wood beams can be expensive and easily damaged over time, installing manufactured beams can be a beautiful and cost-effective solution. Not only are faux beams lightweight, easy to install, and cost efficient, but with modern finishes they can also effectively mimic the rustic beauty of solid wood beams. Starting With the Mold In order to properly emulate the surface texture and detail of fine wood grain, the molds for high-density polyurethane foam (HDF) beams are taken directly from actual wood. These molds are able to accurately capture the unique grain structure found in many different species of wood. There are several grain patterns to choose from, including Doug Fir, Tuscany, Sand Blasted, Hand Hewn or Rough Sawn, allowing for many aesthetic choices. Whether the style of your home is rustic, Spanish, or modern, between the various types of faux wood graining available it is easy to select the style that is right for your home. All About the Finish Not only are many texture and wood grain options available, but there are also a lot of choices when selecting your faux wood finishes. Whether you prefer a lighter oak stain, a rich walnut or dark espresso, your faux beam can be custom ordered in many colors to coordinate with your home’s décor. If you prefer a painted look, these custom HDF beams can also be ordered pre-primed and ready for any color you choose. Unlimited Applications Available Not only are these high tech faux beams easy to cut to size for any application, they also come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. These elegant beams excellent for straight installations, but they can also be custom manufactured with corbel-cut ends or in an arched form. While these beams are excellent for ceiling and outdoor applications, a faux wood planks and fireplace mantels are also available. Manufactured beams are a wonderful way to add the look of natural wood to your home without the price or maintenance of the real thing. To learn more about the wide variety of manufactured beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.
How Fake Ceiling Beams Are Made
With the many benefits of installing fake ceiling beams rather than solid wood, it is no wonder that so many homeowners are taking advantage of this beautiful product. Not only are they lightweight, cost effective, and able to properly emulate the look and texture of real wood, but they also have a very unique manufacturing process that makes them virtually maintenance free. High Quality HDF HDF is another name for the high density polyurethane foam used to create gorgeous and practical ceiling beams. This two-element mixture between a closed cell structure and a urethane resin generates a lightweight product that requires very little upkeep and is resistant to both water and pests. This unique product also will not warp, crack, or expand with weather conditions as natural wood does. Molds Created From Actual Wood In order to create the unique molds used to form faux wood beams, an imprint is taken directly from fresh lumber in order to properly emulate the fine detail of the grain, knots, and other imperfections that are typically littered throughout solid wood beams. Depending on the style of your home, there are many unique wood textures to choose from, including Doug Fir, Rough Sawn, Sand Blast, Hand Hewn and Tuscany. Manufactured ceiling beams that have been generated using these molds maintain a great deal of character and the beautifully imperfect qualities that realistically emulate the look of solid wood. Creating the Perfect Finish Once your beam has been molded and set, there are many distinctive finishes that can be used to coincide with any style of home. For a more traditional look, a deep mahogany stain can be applied to any HDF beam to allow the striking reddish hues to shine through the faux wood grain. If you are after a more transitional or classic style, a deep espresso or walnut hue can add the perfect architectural element to a newly renovated room. Using versatile and practical HDF foam to create fake ceiling beams is an excellent way to maintain all of the textured detail of real wood molds. Once your beam is finished with a stunning stain or coat of paint, it can be nearly impossible to tell whether your beams are real or faux. To learn more about how fake ceiling beams are made, or for information on the HDF beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.
Engineered Beams From Volterra Cost Much Less Than Real Wood
When deciding whether to purchase manufactured or solid wood beams for your home, your budget can be a huge factor when weighing your options. Engineered beams can be cheaper to purchase, but the big cost savings are because they are less expensive to install and they offer a lifetime of savings when it comes to long-term maintenance expenses. Initial Cost Beams from a Douglas Fir tree tend to be the most common and cost effective when searching for a solid wood beam. Although these are the least expensive, one 25-foot pine beam can cost over $1000, not including installation. When you select faux beams for your architectural details, not only do they accurately mimic the rustic appearance of real wood, but they also cost less. Installation Cost When installing a solid hardwood beam, it requires an entire team of professional contractors to lift and secure it into place. Since engineered beams are made of architectural foam, they are incredibly lightweight. With only a few common tools and some high-grade adhesive, many handy homeowners and contractors can complete the installation of these beautiful beams in no time. Faux ceiling beams can also be manufactured as per your exact measurements, saving you even more time and money on your installation. Maintenance Cost While solid wood is a durable material, it can require quite a bit of upkeep in order to ensure that it will maintain its strength and beauty over many years. Since wood is a porous substance, it requires an initial sealing prior to installation, and it will need regular maintenance in order to make sure it does not retain moisture. Wood is also prone to termite infestations, which can destroy the integrity of your beam if not properly managed. Not only do faux beams offer an identically aesthetic product when compared to solid wood, but they also do not require any additional upkeep in order to prevent water or termite damage. Not only are faux wood beams a beautiful solution to mimic the rustic integrity of solid wood, but they also offer a cost effective solution to any budget friendly homeowner. To learn more about the engineered beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.
The Many Advantages of Architectural Foam Beams
Architectural foam beams are becoming more and more popular, but many people still remain unaware of the advantages that come from using foam. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, fake wood beams add a great touch to just about any building. Beauty and Design Wooden beams look good in almost any environment. In some homes, they add a rustic old-world touch; in others they create an aura of natural elegance. Real wood beams can be designed to match wooden floors, cabinets, or furniture, creating a cohesive and unified look. Beams made out of foam may sound unusual, but they can mimic natural wood perfectly, coming in a wide variety of colors and textures. They can also be painted or stained to match virtually any décor. Weight and Durability Another advantage of using high-density polyurethane foam beams is that they are lightweight and durable. Real wood can be heavy, meaning that sometimes you cannot attach it without the right supports. This can force you to change your dream plans or drop them entirely due to budgetary concerns. Foam weighs significantly less, however, and can be mounted just about anywhere. Another advantage is that foam is durable; unlike real wood it won’t crack, split, or warp. Architectural foam products are water-resistant and can be used both indoors and out. Low Cost Finally, foam beams are much cheaper than real wood. Depending on the type and size of beam you get, a natural wood beam can cost over thirty dollars per foot. If each beam needs to be twelve to fifteen feet long and you’re using multiple beams, that cost can add up very quickly. Foam beams can be manufactured in 30 foot lengths without any visible seams. Using foam beams is one great way to save a lot of money on decorating or remodeling a room. Adding real wood to a room looks great, but it can also constrict your design plans and cost you quite a bit of money. High density foam can mimic the look of wood almost perfectly, and they’ll make the installation process much easier. Using architectural foam beams is a great way to save money and spruce up a room. To learn more about the architectural foam beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.