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

The Six Major Window Trim Design Styles

Posted on by Volterra

Window trim is a term used to describe a wide range of decorative elements that surround a window casing. It can be applied on the interior or exterior of the window, designed to blend in or stand out, depending on the style of the home. Volterra Architectural Products provides a variety of moulding and millwork options to help you create the perfect window trim! If you are unfamiliar with window trim design, it might help to gain an understanding of the four common design styles used in window trim today.

Ranch Style Window Trim Design

To begin, there are ranch-style window trim designs. If you are familiar with ranch houses, then you are probably familiar with the plain window trim that tends to accompany them. Ranch-style trim is usually very plain and simple, giving it clean lines.

In general, ranch trim is thin and provides only a small frame around the windows to make them stand out. It can be painted to match the rest of the trim on the exterior of a house, but often it is painted white. For modern homes, Ranch style window trim is a good choice.

 

Craftsman Style Trim

Next up is craftsman-style trim, usually found on Craftsman-style houses, but sometimes seen in other home styles as well. Craftsman-style trim is similar to ranch-style trim because it tends to have a low profile and only a few simple accents. This style is characterized by clean lines, flat profiles, and simple details.

Craftsman-style window trim typically features a flat header with a projecting sill and tapered or squared-off vertical side pieces. For instance, a small amount of layering or texture added around the outer edge of the trim is common. If you happen to own a Craftsman house, this design style will be a natural fit for your existing windows.

 

Colonial Style Trim

Colonial-style trim has remained popular across generations. It features a more dynamic appearance with texture, depth, and added layering and height. Colonial-style window trim is typically more ornate and decorative, featuring a pediment above the window and curved or angled side pieces.

Colonial-style trim is found in Colonial-era homes, giving them their stately look, but has also been brought into many modern homes to add a classic flair. The trim is often painted white or another light color and may include molding or other decorative details.

Provincial Style Window Trim Design

Provincial-style trim is also available. Provincial style is most noted for its European roots, but it is often found in country homes and plantation-style houses. Provincial style trim relies heavily on depth and accents to make a bold visual impact.

Modern Style Trim

Modern-style window trim features clean, sleek lines and minimalist details. The trim is typically painted in a neutral color and may be made from polyurethane, metal, wood, or other materials.

Rustic Style Trim

Rustic-style window trim is characterized by its use of natural materials and earthy colors. The trim may feature rough-hewn wood or stone detailing, and may include elements such as wrought iron accents or decorative carvings.

As you decide what kind of window trim design to use for your home, take some time to research the architectural style of your home as well as common trim styles. You should be able to match your trim to the style of your home to create a unified look throughout your house. To learn more about different trim styles and profiles, contact us at Volterra Architectural Products today!

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Turn Your Guest Bedroom Into a Beautiful Escape

Posted on by Volterra

A guest bedroom is the perfect place to try your hand at some creative DIY projects and decor themes that you like. There are many ways that you can turn your guest bedroom into a beautiful retreat that will impress your guests. We’ve put together some ideas to help you get started and plan your room. With Volterra, you can transform your room in no time, and ensure that your guests have a cozy place to retreat to after a long day. 

 

Add a Wood Plank Surround

 

Wood planks, sometimes called “shiplap” or “T and G”, make a beautiful backdrop or replacement for a headboard. They are easy to install and they come in a wide range of colors and textures. You can even mix and match the colors to give them a weathered look. This is perfect if you want a rustic look, or if you want the more modern look of reclaimed wood without all the trouble of sourcing the materials and refinishing them on your own. If you already have a headboard, you can use the planks on either side to create a surround that will frame the bed perfectly. 

 

Create Your Own Entertainment Center

 

Entertainment centers are bulky and expensive, but you can create the same look with faux wood beams. Choose a wall where you want your TV to go. Then, add a faux wood mantle with hidden or exposed brackets. You can put artwork or flowers on the mantle, or you can leave the space open to hold a TV. If you’re comfortable with tools, you can also mount your TV directly on the wall above the mantle, giving it a recessed look that is sleek and clean. Use panel moulding or small sections of trim to frame out the area around your TV and beneath your mantle. You can make it look like a traditional fireplace, or you can think outside the box and create any design you like. Add contrasting colors or patterned wallpaper to the mix to really make it pop.

 

Faux wood beams and wood planks are a great way to transform any room. They are easy to work with and they are extremely durable, so you won’t have to worry about them getting dinged up. To see more ideas for your guest bedroom, visit Volterra online and check out our complete gallery. We have tons of wood products that are ideal for DIY projects and creating your own unique guest room.

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How Do HDF Beams Stack Up Against Real Wooden Beams?

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faux wood vs. real wood beams

 

Ready to add texture, warmth, and dimension to your home? Do you have a room where you want to draw the eye upward and define the living space? Sounds like you’re looking for faux wood beams and trusses.

 

Perhaps you’re someone who doesn’t love the term “faux”. That’s okay. Some people feel that way at first. However, once they start researching the real costs and benefits, they start to appreciate the concept more. Here at Volterra, we offer both HDF faux wood beams, and natural wood box beams. This guide is meant to help you compare your options and find the right one for you.

 

First off, let’s be clear about terminology. Many people get confused about the different terms used to describe decorative beams. “Faux beams” refers to any beams or trusses that aren’t integral to a room’s stability and functionality. So, if the beams aren’t a part of your original architectural plan, then they’re faux beams. That’s right, if you don’t already have some beautiful old-world beams hidden underneath layers of plaster ceiling then it doesn’t matter if the material you’re using is reclaimed wood pried off of an old barn in Provence, France. They’re still called faux beams, because they’re not needed to keep the roof up; they’re simply decorative.

 

What Kinds of Decorative Beams Are Available?

 

The thing is, there are a lot of different ways to go faux. Here’s a summary of your options:

 

Different kinds of decorative beams

 

What Are HDF Beams?

 

Here at Volterra, we’re big fans of #4 (as you might have guessed). We’ll tell you why in a bit, but first, let us SHOW you why…

 

decorative faux wood beams

Decorative wood beams

 

That’s right, those are faux wood beams used in the images above. They’re hollow, constructed from high density polyurethane foam, and fashioned to look exactly like solid wood beams.

 

Now, when we say foam, you’re probably picturing something soft, spongey, and great for sleeping on, right?

 

HDF is foam of a different sort. It’s strong, solid, extremely dense, and able to capture specific textures at a near-microscopic level. If you ran a hand over it, you would feel the distinct ridges and planes of a rich, weathered wood grain. And if you picked it up, it would be surprisingly light.

 

HDF faux wood beams are made by pouring the foam in liquid form into a mold, which was constructed using the exact cast of a real piece of wood. This allows us to duplicate the original external appearance of wood, right down to the graining, knotting, and even the worm holes.

 

How Do HDF Faux Wood Beams Compare to Real Wood?

 

Alright, so HDF beams look convincing. But how do they really perform in action? How do they wear over time, and how do they stack up against real wood for your house, your maintenance plan, and your remodeling budget?

 

Here’s a comparison chart that will let you understand your options better:

 

HDF beams vs real wood

 

How Does Installation Work?

 

Although it has the most impact on your time and sanity, few people fully consider the process of installation when they choose which kinds of faux wood beams to use in a room. A major installation process will monopolize your space for months, putting every other project on hold. Shoddy installation jobs will ruin your aesthetic and cause major challenges down the road. Individuals who think ahead about installation enjoy the benefits of manageable timelines, not to mention the peace and quiet that comes with having your home to yourself again. So let’s talk a little bit about the installation process for different kinds of beam & truss installations.

 

We’ll start with this picture…

 

Woman lifting hdf beam

 

That’s a massive faux HDF beam of 14”x22”x20’, which only weighs 113 lbs.

 

A real wood beam of the same size weighs nearly one ton. This is precisely why you’ll never use solid wooden beams merely for decorative purposes on the ceiling–they’ll have to be structural. But what about hollow box beams made of real wood? This is a compromise between the solid wood and faux wood option. However, it will still be more than twice the weight of an HDF beam.

 

Because they’re so lightweight, they’re easy to install. Often, two people can complete the project in just one day. For some projects, it’s only a matter of a few hours. See for yourself in the video below.

 

 

Ready to Go Faux?

 

Volterra was founded in 2002, and has since become a leading provider of specialty architectural design materials. We’re most well-known for our huge range of beautiful faux wood beams and trusses, which have transformed award-winning restaurants, featured homes, and four star hotels. We also offer natural wood beams as part of our woodworking line. Shop our product selection online and browse our galleries for more ideas.

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Quick and Easy Remodeling Projects

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remodeling projects

Starting a remodeling project doesn’t mean spending several weeks without access to your kitchen. In fact, some of the most notable and effective remodeling projects can be completed quickly and easily in just a few hours. Here, we’ve put together a list of simple remodeling projects that are perfect for any level of handy skills, so you won’t have to feel intimidated by the task or the tools.

 

Change Up Your Closets

 

Closet space is a major selling point in any home, but it also needs to be personalized to you. Fortunately, there are several easy remodeling projects that you can take on in your closet to make it more accessible and more organized, as well as giving it a fresh new look. For instance, get rid of your ugly old closet doors and replace them with a modern barn door look. This can be done with some wood planks and trim pieces, along with a few dollars worth of hardware. Alternatively, you can make your whole room look bigger by hanging long mirrors on your closet doors, and then framing them with some simple trim painted to match your room’s decor.

 

Beautify Your Bathrooms

 

Before you start worrying about plumbing, consider some of the easy ways you can accent your bathroom without having to do a major overhaul. For instance, changing out your bland bathroom mirror to a more modern mirror and adding beautiful trim to finish it out and blend it into your counter space. In addition, adding some wainscoting with trim across the top can give you a bright two-tone look that will make your bathroom feel more open. If your bathroom cabinets are out of date, consider how a fresh coat of paint and a few pieces of panel moulding could modify the look. If you’re looking for something else to do, you can also use wainscoting and trim to create a gorgeous backsplash behind your bathroom vanity, making it easy to clean and resistant to stains and mold. There are plenty of other quick and easy remodeling projects that can be done in any house, but these bathroom and closet projects are a great place to get started. To learn more about trim and wood products for your next project, contact Volterra today. We have a wide range of planks and trim styles available for you to order directly to your door. We’d be happy to help you find exactly what you’re looking for to complete your room.

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Interior Wood Trim: Paint or Stain?

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interior wood trim

To paint or to stain? That is the question that many homeowners ask when deciding what to do with their interior wood trim. Both paint and stain are popular for different reasons, so the end decision will really depend on what you want the finished product to look like and what type of materials you are working with. Here’s an overview of what you need to know before you decide on paint or stain for your wood trim.

 

What Kind of Wood Trim Do You Have?

 

To the novice eye, discerning the quality of wood trim in your home might be difficult, but there are a few things you should consider. Wood trim that is made for stain is usually of much higher quality than other trim products. This means that it is free of knots and defects that might ruin the look, and it has a strong grain pattern that will be enhanced once the stain color is added. If your trim is already painted, and you want to switch to stain, you may need to sand down a section of the trim to determine whether the wood underneath is a good fit for stain in the first place.

 

What Is Your Desired Outcome?

 

Dark stained wood trim has long been the look of classic grandeur. The dark stain adds a warm feel to any room, and helps call out the authenticity of the wood work that went into building your home. By contrast, more modern homes tend to rely on plain white or cream painted trim because it is clean and bright, adding a bit of contrast to colorful walls. We can’t say that one is better than the other, but when you see the two options side by side, it should become clear which one will be a good fit for your home.

 

Mix and Match?

 

For those who are inclined to take a walk on the wild side, mixing stained and painted trim in the same home, and even the same room, is an option. For instance, applying painted trim along the ceilings while leaving the stained trim along the baseboards, especially in rooms with matching hardwood. Or you can always update your baseboards and crown moulding with paint, while leaving accent trim around your windows and doors stained to match the original look of the doors. Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is to make sure that you are working with quality wood trim that can handle the paint or stain you choose. To learn more, visit Volterra’s online gallery and see some of our beautiful finished trim products today.

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Achieving Southwest Style Ceilings

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southwest style

Throughout the Southwest there are many traditional styles of homes. While there are fewer and fewer houses boasting the classic adobe look, modern homes have borrowed a few architectural elements from the Southwest style. For instance, viga beams, which were a staple of Southwestern homes, have found their way into modern ceiling designs to great affect. If this is the style you’re after, here’s how it can be accomplished using today’s faux wood beam products.

 

What Are Viga Beams?

 

Viga beams are large structural beams that were commonly seen in adobe houses and other Southwestern homes. These beams were typically made of rough hewn logs, and retained much of their natural character. Today, many builders still go for this rustic look, but modern builders sometimes use squared beams instead. Unlike European inspired ceiling beams, another feature of Viga beams is that they often run around the room in concentric circles working out toward the edge of the room or in the same direction as the ceiling’s longest stretch.

 

Ceiling Planks

 

In addition to Viga beams, many Southwest style homes also feature ceiling planks. These flat planks slide together to create a beautifully textured ceiling finish. In some cases, the ceiling is covered by these planks first, and then the viga beams are installed beneath them, adding multiple dimensions to the look. The best way to do this is to install the beams perpendicular to the direction that the planks run, which will draw the eye upward. In addition, using larger beams over the planks creates a more pronounced look, and you can even choose a darker color for the beams to accent the light colored planks.

 

Outdoor Accents

 

Another staple of Southwest style architecture is the protrusion of beams on the exterior of the house. You can add these accents to the outside of your home along the roofline use faux wood accents. These small sections are designed to mount easily to the exterior surface of your home and match your trim. These can be installed even if the interior of your home does not have matching beams. You can also find matching shutters and vents that look great with these exterior posts and dress up your windows and any high points on your roof. There are many distinct facets of Southwest style architecture, and with faux wood beams you can mix and match them to find a look that suits your home. To learn more about faux wood products and Southwest style accents, visit Volterra online and check out our gallery.

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Achieving the Exposed Ceiling Beam Look On Your Own

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exposed ceiling beams

The exposed ceiling beam is in these days, lending an industrial look to otherwise modern rooms. In fact, the fad has grown so popular that many people are looking for ways to add exposed beams to their homes as well. Some people want to know if they have to buy beams to achieve this look, or if they can simply remove their existing ceiling to expose the beams that are already there. Here’s what you need to know before you take on this project.

 

Joists vs Beams

 

The first thing you need to know is that the joists used in the construction of your house are not the same as the exposed beams you see in popular restaurants and home renovation magazines. First of all, those joists were never meant to be exposed, so they are often unfinished and unsightly. Instead of giving you a clean industrial look, they will probably just look ragged and in need of finishing. Secondly, it would take forever to clean up your wiring and plumbing to make it look good in your newly exposed space because these things were probably routed in the quickest fashion during the building of your house, not the most aesthetic. By contrast, the exposed beams you see in pictures are likely finished and installed over hidden joists and supports. This allows you to enjoy the look of a finished beam that has been painted and coated for longevity without having to look at the real guts of the building. Even those open ceilings that do have plumbing and wiring visible often use painted pipes and conduit to conceal much of the mess. These beams are made to be artfully added to any space and they are lightweight so they can be easily installed and removed if necessary. They also tend to be larger and made with a variety of wood grain looks to give you an authentic look and texture so you won’t be stuck with the dull, unfinished look of your interior joists.

 

Spacing

 

Another problem with exposing your existing joists is that they are spaced very close together and they only go in one direction. If you want to create a decorative look to your ceiling, you need to use ceiling beams sparingly and decide which direction you want your beams to run so that they can add to the look of the room, rather than making it look cluttered. Even large rooms typically only have a handful of beams spread across the span of the ceiling.

 

 

If you’re interested in creating an exposed beam look in your home, visit Volterra online today. We sell finished faux wood beams in a range of colors and sizes to fit any installation. These products are made to be a decorative enhancement to your home that easily fits onto your existing ceiling without a hassle.

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Sourcing Environmentally Friendly Architectural Products

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architectural products

The modern consumer is increasingly becoming eco-conscious in many lifestyle areas, including the home. Now more than ever, consumers are looking for eco-friendly alternatives when shopping for a new purchase, no matter how big or small.  According to The Nielsen Company, “more than half (64%) of U.S. households buy sustainable products, up four percentage points from a year ago.” Fortunately, there are a few modern options for decorative beams and architectural accents that look just as good as real wood while reducing your carbon footprint.

 

Choose HDF Products

 

One great way to take advantage of natural wood looks is with the help of HDF wood products. HDF is actually a man-made high-density polyurethane foam material that has the ability to perfectly replicate natural wood molds so the beams look just like real wood. In many cases, HDF is also textured and finished to imitate your favorite wood species like cherry, oak and more. HDF is a more eco-friendly alternative because trees are not being cut down, hence not requiring the long term growth cycle of a new tree to produce. It can take 65 years for some parts of a forest to grow back, but can take up to 4000 years for it to gain many of its full qualities again, including the rehabitation of native animals, according to a study that centered on the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

 

Choose Durable Finishes

 

When it comes time to install new architectural products in your home, you should also be sure that you are finishing the job with stains and paints that will last a lifetime. Stains provide a protective layer that ensures that the beams will hold up in the weather if they are used outdoors. This way you won’t have to refinish your beams yearly, and you can cut even more harmful waste from your home.

 

Choose Locally Made Products

 

Volterra’s products are manufactured in the USA, further benefiting the environment. The closer to the buyer an item is produced, the more sustainably beneficial it is, as the cost and emissions produced to ship and transport the item is greatly reduced. This also supports the local economy through job creation and finances for local residents instead of cheaper, but more environmentally taxing, overseas manufacturing and production. Volterra is proud to offer a wide selection of architectural products. Our HDF and faux wood products are extremely durable and come with a professional finish so all you have to do is install them and keep them clean. Visit us online to see our full catalog and start placing your order today!

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Why Use a Decorative Truss Kit

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truss kit

You’ve probably noticed that more and more builders are returning to a rustic look these days. One common element among houses old and new is the appreciation for decorative exposed trusses on the interior. Trusses add an interesting layer of texture to a room and help bring together the rustic look. You may have even considered adding decorative trusses to your own home at some point. If so, the truss kit is just the product you’ve been looking for. Here’s why.

 

Made to Fit

 

A decorative truss kit is the complete package. This means that all of the components in sizes that accommodate your space, are ready to install you won’t have to do any extensive work trying to design your own truss pattern or make sure all the pieces fit together properly. In addition, decorative truss kits have available matching hardware so you can get an authentic look without having to piece together hardware from your local big box retailer.

 

Easy to Install

 

A truss kit also makes this upgrade a simple weekend project for an experienced carpenter. With faux wood beams and mounting instructions, you don’t need any heavy equipment to lift the trusses into place. Instead, they are lightweight and made to be anchored directly to your ceiling using a concealed mount, according to provided instructions.  The high density foam material also means that you don’t need any special drills or drill bits to get the job done. Once you have the first one up, it’s as easy as measuring equal distances to each of your new truss locations and repeating the process.

 

They Look Great

 

Truss kits can give you the look you’re going for in no time. The durable finish is made to look like natural wood in a wide range of stains and grain patterns so you can match your trusses to any other natural wood accents in your house, or even match it to your new trim if you are completely updating your home. The stained finish is made to last without any chipping, scratching, or refinishing. Trusses are a timeless element of architecture, and they are coming back into style. If you would like to add beautiful trusses to your home, start by checking out Volterra’s decorative truss kits online. We make it simple to order your trusses and have them installed without spending a fortune. These kits are made to give you everything you need to transform your ceilings with simple tools and a little bit of time. Check out our online gallery to see all of our truss designs.

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Dining Room Trim Ideas

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dining room

The dining room is one place where you want everyone in your home to come together. It is likely the place that you invite your guests into, and spend much of your time as a family. The problem is that dining rooms are often crowded with large tables, plenty of chairs, and china cabinets or other sideboards for storage. With all of this furniture in the space, it’s important that the dining room is decorated and trimmed in such a way that makes the room appear larger than life. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

 

Break Up Blank Walls

 

One easy way to change up your dining room and add dimension is by splitting your walls into two separate sections. This creates the illusion of more space. You can do this with the addition of a simple chair rail, or you can go for something more sophisticated with panel moulding or wainscoting on the bottom half. By making the bottom half of the wall a light color and the top half an accent color, you expand your space visually.

 

Make Doors and Windows More Inviting

 

Another useful tip is adding door and window trim that makes your entryways look larger. White trim around your doors and windows is easy to install and it doesn’t have to be fancy to have the intended effect. However, you can really make your doors pop by adding a layered header that stretches a few inches up the wall above the opening. This makes the window or door look taller than it really is, and adds to the lightness of the room.

 

Dress Up the Ceiling

 

Many dining rooms feature a decorative lighting fixture of some kind, often a chandelier. You can improve upon this look by adding more depth to your ceiling with wooden beams or flexible moulding. Faux wood beams can be used to frame out a part of your ceiling, creating two different ceiling heights and adding visual interest that draws the eyes upward. When framing a chandelier, the finished look is quite extraordinary. These are just a few of the ways you can turn your bland dining room into a wonderful gathering place that speaks to your personal style. To learn more about faux wood beams and other trim products, visit Volterra online and check out our new online store where you can shop and have your next home improvement project underway in no time!

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