Category: Architectural Product Blog – Design Tips, Inspiration, Industry Trends

The look of exposed ceiling beams is very popular in homes and offices today. They can be used to complement a traditional décor or to match the sleek, modern lines of a contemporary décor. They can add warmth and rustic beauty or an element of sophistication. No matter what type of décor you hope to achieve, exposed beams are a great way to get the desired look. When real wood beams are impractical, high density polyurethane foam ceiling beams are an excellent alternative that offers many benefits over real wood.

Less Expense and Less Labor-Intensive

Foam beams, made out of high-density polyurethane, cost much less than their real wood counterparts. They are very lightweight and easy to install, but look just like the real thing. There is a great selection of beams in various textures and finishes, such as:

• Douglas fir
• Sand-blasted
• Rough sawn
• Tuscany
• Hand-hewn

Instead of requiring the expertise of an entire team of workmen and expensive equipment, these beams can be installed by one or two talented specialists in a relatively short period of time, saving even more money on installation costs.

Versatile Style

Many home and business owners appreciate the flexibility that foam wood beams offer. Their installation can be made in a semi-permanent fashion, so that they can be taken down when a change is desired. Renters especially appreciate this type of installation because it allows them to make improvements to their rental space that they can take with them when their lease is up. The beams have even been used to create a rustic look for events, such as weddings or charity galas, that only last a day or a few days. To increase their versatility, many of these beams are easy to paint or stain, facilitating a drastic change in appearance with very little effort.

Both Form and Function

Exposed foam ceiling beams can be used to direct the flow of heated or cooled air. Real wood might suffer when subjected to this type of constant air flow, but beams constructed from polyurethane won’t suffer at all. Additionally, because they are hollow, faux wood beams can be used to hide duct work, pipes, sprinkler heads and other fixtures. Thus, the same beautiful elements that have such a powerful impact on home décor can also work to blend in with the necessary fixtures and components. Why use high density foam beams instead of real wood? For a much lower price, you can get the same decorative effect, convenient versatility, and an important aid in keeping your home more comfortable. You can enjoy all the beauty of wood beams with all the benefits of foam ceiling beams when you purchase products from Volterra. To learn more about the durable and affordable foam ceiling beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.

When it comes to the best high impact changes you can make in your home’s décor without spending more than your planned budget, then updating ceiling elements is a great choice. Although simple changes to the ceiling have a powerful impact, ceiling improvements are often ignored. After rolling out a fresh coat of paint, homeowners turn their attention away from the ceiling and focus on other parts of the home. However, the installation of faux wood ceiling beams can introduce depth, impact, and warmth – all at an affordable price.

Why Choose Faux Ceiling Beams?

There are a few great choices when it comes to the installation of ceiling beams:

• Real
• Reclaimed
• Faux

No matter which material you use, ceiling beams add a new dimension to your room. They can create a longer, broader feel to small rooms, a lofty atmosphere, or a draw attention to a beautifully designed vaulted ceiling. However, there are many advantages to choosing faux wood beams. They look like real wood, cost a fraction of the price to install, and don’t pose the same installation concerns and complications of real wood beams. Along with that easy installation, the faux ceiling beams can be adjusted, rearranged, taken down, and replaced without too much muss or fuss.

Design Consistency Inside and Outside

One advantage of using faux beams is that they can be used outdoors just as well as inside a home. While real wood might suffer when exposed to heat, rain, snow, sunlight, and other natural elements, the durable high-density polyurethane of faux ceiling beams are a better choice for exterior applications. Used outdoors, the beams will withstand those same elements, retaining their lasting beauty without the maintenance of real wood beams.

The Natural Choice

Too often homeowners insist on real wood because they feel that real wood seems more natural. Whether these homeowners are purists or are concerned about the environment, the use of real wood can sometimes work against their priorities. For instance, ceiling beams made of real wood require logging, which can be harmful to the environment. Faux beams, on the other hand, help to preserve natural trees and are made from non-toxic materials. In addition, strategically placed faux wood ceiling beams can hide duct work, fixtures and pipes, which can make a home more energy efficient helping to direct air flow. For your next home improvement project, you may want to start at the top. Consider how the installation of faux ceiling beams can positively impact your home décor. For pricing and product specifications on the faux wood ceiling beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.

The look of wood details throughout your home can add warmth, texture, and an important foundational element to your décor. The use of faux (a French word for “fake”) wood can offer you all of the benefits of real wood with some added benefits, as well. Both real wood and faux wood graining deliver visual appeal, warmth, and depth to a room. However, faux wood delivers this look at a cost-effective price and a higher level of durability than real wood. Whether you hope to bring the beauty of wood to your interior decor, exterior design, or both, the use of fake ceiling beams with faux wood finishes can have long-lasting benefits.

Faux Wood Is Cheaper

One of the main reasons that people choose engineered ceiling beams with faux wood finishes is the reduced price. The product cost may be less than natural wood, but the installation costs involved with faux wood beams are definitely much cheaper. Faux wood products don’t have to be replaced as often, and are much easier to maintain.

Faux Wood Resists Moisture Damage

Humidity has a tendency to cause wood to warp, expand, and become irreparably damaged, particularly if those elements are outdoors. Faux wood resists moisture and retains its beauty despite being exposed to sunlight, wind, rain or snow.

The Long-lasting Beauty of Faux Wood Reduces Repairs

When faux wood is used for decorative elements, on the inside or the outside of the home, the need to repair or replace those elements is substantially reduced. This is especially true of faux wooden beams. The installation and upkeep of real wood ceiling beams is very labor-intensive. Faux beams, on the other hand, are easy to install and require very little maintenance.

Faux Wood Is Environmentally Responsible

The use of faux wood products reduces the number of trees removed from forests every year for home decorating purposes.

Faux Wood Is Highly Versatile

There are plenty of options when it comes to faux wood finishes. Whether you prefer the rich elegance of mahogany or the rustic appeal of rough-sawn wood, you can find the look you want with faux wood beams. With the quality that you have come to expect from Volterra, you can choose faux wood products to enhance the overall visual appeal of your home. For more information about the faux wood finishes available when you purchase fake ceiling beams from Volterra, call 602.258.7373 now.

As you prepare for your next home improvement project, you may want to consider updating the ceiling in your home. There are a lot of great faux ceiling beam ideas that can be used to make a big impact for an affordable price.

Add Interest to a Vaulted Ceiling

Whether you have a traditional vaulted ceiling or a barrel-vaulted ceiling, the lofty heights of that ceiling can make a room feel vast and empty. Fake wood beams can make the room much more cozy and inviting. In addition, faux beams can be conveniently installed because they are much lighter than real wood. They are often used in contrasting colors to the rest of the room or in the same color scheme; either way the beams bring a cozier feel to the room.

Paint Wood-Tinted Beams for Impact

Faux beams are often chosen because they can be painted very easily. The beams can be painted white to lighten up a room or black to provide an interesting contrast with the lighter colors of the rest of the ceiling. Imagine the fun contrast of brightly painted faux beams against the white ceiling and walls of a play room.

Play to a Traditional or Southwestern Theme

The faux ceiling beam is the perfect choice when you want to create a rustic, traditional feel. Southwestern décor often features open ceiling beams, as well. The rugged texture of sandblasted ceiling beams contributes the look of natural wood and contrasts with white plaster walls to create the comfortable feel of Southwestern home design. An antiqued stain on the beams can create a vintage feel in the home.

Play Up Interesting Architecture

Faux beams are often used to accent interesting architectural elements or to create a sense of continuity. If the home has very little architectural interest, then fake wood is the way to go to add some without breaking the bank. Many homes do not have the structure necessary to support solid wood ceiling beams. The faux ceiling beam is lightweight and can be used to create architectural interest, such as a coffered ceiling. Whether you install one long ceiling beam or create a geometric pattern with multiple beams, the lightweight convenience of faux beams makes them appropriate for almost any situation. For more faux ceiling beam ideas or to learn more about the fake wood beams available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.

You see them on elegant homes and rustic cottages. You can find them adding a touch of tradition to a family home or creating sleek, modern lines in a converted warehouse apartment. The fact is that faux wood ceiling beams are used more often than you may think, and they provide an affordable and convenient way to transform the look of any building. Delivering the look and feel of real wood, these beams can be used even when the home’s structure won’t support real wood or when the budget can’t accommodate the expense of wood beams.

Lightweight Foam Construction

Quality durable foam ceiling beams are actually made out of high-density, rigid polyurethane. Hollow on the inside, the foam beams weigh much less than real wood. Unlike wood, the foam beams won’t become discolored if they are exposed to sunlight or humidity and won’t warp over time. They are light enough to be added to older homes without the necessary structure to support heavy wooden beams. The rigid foam is easy to maintain and resists many of the dangers of rot that could be a problem with real wood from harsh weather and insects.

The Look of Natural Wood

Just how realistic can faux wood beams look? Until you have seen the beams up-close, you won’t truly appreciate the realistic texture and color of the grain patterns that make these beams so popular among homeowners and contractors. Quality manufacturers like Volterra use molds crafted from real wood to create realistic-looking foam beams that are much more durable and affordable than the real thing. In this way, the original textures and patterns of natural wood can be accurately mimicked. Some popular faux wood textures include:

• Doug Fir
• Tuscany
• Rough Sawn
• Sand Blast
• Hand-Hewn

Turn Your Dreams into Reality

If you have ever considered adding the beauty of wood ceiling beams to your home, but have been deterred by practical questions concerning the structure of your home or your remodeling budget, then take a look at faux ceiling beams. Start your home remodel today by improving the look of your ceilings. Your dream home may be within reach. To learn more about the faux wood products available at Volterra, call 602.258.7373 today.

There are many benefits to using faux wood beams in place of natural wood beams, and these benefits do not only relate to the aesthetic appeal of the beams themselves. Installing faux wood beams is quite easy, and contractors and homeowners alike will find they will have no trouble learning how to install these beams. There are several steps that should be taken in advance of the installation process, as selecting the best faux wood beam is just as important as properly installing it. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available, ensuring that there is a beam that is suitable for the needs of any homeowner or contractor. Selecting the Ideal Faux Wood Beam When it comes to selecting the ideal faux wood beam, there are many things to consider. It is important to evaluate the space that the faux beam will be added to, and to choose a wood type and cut that will best suit the style of the space. There are many standard options available, but it is also possible to have the beam custom-made to fit any space. Consumers are therefore able to have a wide variety of options at their disposal, choosing between a number of different wood grain details and surface textures. Considerations for Installation of Faux Ceiling Beams When installing faux wood beams, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind. All that is necessary for the installation of these beams is the availability of tools and fasteners that are considered standard in woodworking, and also the availability of high-grade adhesives. It is important that the adhesive used is urethane-based, as this will help to ensure that your beams are securely affixed to a solid backing. If the beams are being affixed to studs, they should be 16” on center or less. Additional blocking may be needed based on the size of the beam, and all that is then necessary is for the beam to be nailed or screwed in place using galvanized or zinc-coated fasteners. Call 602.258.7373 today to learn more about installing faux wood beams from Volterra in your home.

Faux ceiling beams give homeowners a way to add beauty and interest to their home’s architectural style. Faux wood beams are generally available at less than half the cost of real wood beams. In addition, they are much lighter, bypassing the need for large installation teams and specialized equipment. Volterra offers some gorgeous ceiling beam ideas to enhance almost any home.

Amazing Realism

Although fake wood beams are made of high-density foam or HDF, a polyurethane material, they look like the real thing, even on close inspection. Homeowners can match existing ceiling styles, or choose finishes to achieve any natural wood effect they desire. The wood finishes available include:

• Primed
• Mahogany
• Oak
• Walnut

Perhaps the feature that most adds realism to the faux beams is the texturing. Beams are cast in molds taken from natural wood beams. They can be customized with the following real wood textures:

• Douglas fir
• Tuscany
• Sand blast
• Rough sawn

The grain, knotholes, and other natural imperfections of real wood give the faux beams an amazing realism.

Flexible Design

HDF beams come in standard lengths of 16’ and 20’ and a thickness of 1”. However, they can be customized to almost any size necessary. Standard styles include the following:

• U-shaped
• Corbel-cut end
• Arched, for a hammered truss
• Mantel
• Full box beam with removable plank

Visit the Volterra Online Store

Although most customers will enjoy visiting the Volterra showroom at some point during their remodel, they can easily get started by visiting our online store. There, they can discover ceiling beam ideas limited only by their imaginations. We carry a large portfolio of beam installations in both residential and commercial applications. They’ll also find examples of designs that cover the spectrum from country rustic to modern sophisticated. Homeowners can find the examples that best represent their own personal tastes and arrange to receive samples to test in their own homes. Finally, they can work with Volterra to finalize the design, and to arrange for professional installation. Most homeowners are amazed at the results they get by adding faux wood beams to their homes. Call 602.258.7373 today for more ceiling beam ideas or for additional information about the faux wood beams available from Volterra.

The cost of a home remodeling project can quickly spiral out of control. The fact is that unforeseen problems and unexpected costs are just par for the course during any remodel. Finding ways to save money on materials is a good way to create a buffer against unexpected expenditures. Artificial ceiling beams are an excellent choice for homeowners who to save money on their home remodeling projects – without sacrificing style.

The Look of Real Wood

The faux wood beams available at Volterra are cast from real wood and made of durable, high-density polyurethane foam. Volterra uses state-of-the-art technology in conjunction with tried-and-true molding techniques to create ceiling beams with the look of rough-sawn or rustic wood. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, these beams are available in a variety of wood finishes, including mahogany, oak and walnut, so you’re sure to find the perfect color to complement your home décor. If you want the look of real wood for a fraction of the price, you owe it to yourself to give Volterra a call.

Ease of Installation

Volterra’s faux beams are extremely lightweight, making them much easier to install than their real-wood counterparts. Available in standard lengths of 16 feet and 20 feet, these beams can also be custom built to any measurements in order to meet the specifications of your project. Time is money on any remodeling job – so saving time on the installation of your ceiling beams will end up saving you money on the overall cost of the project. Artificial ceiling beams from Volterra are a great way to save money on your upcoming remodel. They are durable, offer the look of real wood, and are much easier to install than traditional wood beams, making them an excellent choice for savvy homeowners. Call 602.258.7373 today to learn more about the extensive selection of artificial ceiling beams available at Volterra Products.