Architectural Product Blog - Design Tips, Inspiration, Industry Trends - Page 4 of 31

Best Ways to Use Our Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beams

Posted on November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 by Volterra

When you’re completing home improvement projects to make your home your own, you want to utilize the best products around without having to break the bank on expensive products and contractor services. Whether that means figuring out ways to DIY a project you’ve never done before or utilizing products designed specifically for DIY homeowners like you, you have all kinds of options available. With the help of Volterra Architectural Products, you can find the right kinds of materials and products you need to customize your home without having to pay for expensive construction work in order to support solid wood beams. Instead, you get high-quality, faux wood beams for your home in sizes and colors that you’ll love. One of our most popular options is the Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beams, so keep reading to learn more about the best ways to use this beautiful option in your own home!

Traditional Styling

If you and your family enjoy a more traditionally-styled home interior, the Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beams are the perfect choice to add into your rooms! With the beautiful light colors in this wood beam option, it will be the kind of addition that naturally brings brightness into any room, no matter where these beams are installed. With customizable lengths, widths, and heights, you can order the perfect sizes to add style and a natural wood look to any and every room in your home.

Brighten Your Living Room

A living room tends to be a space for many house members to gather, participate in activities together, and, of course, live, so why not make the space bright and inviting? The living room can also be central for entertaining friends and family, so creating a space that naturally brightens the spirits will help to ensure that your events are fun and enjoyable for everyone. The Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beams pair perfectly with off-whites and light warm tones, so to add to the brightness, you can paint an accent wall in these colors or use these tones in the accessories throughout the room.

Shabby Chic Bedroom

One of the most popular styles of home decor that pairs perfectly with The Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beams is called shabby chic. This style focuses on highlighting the beauty of light natural colors and repurposing antique or vintage items for modern, everyday use. Pastel colors are commonly found in this style of home decor, which means that these beams will elevate the style even further because of the beautiful color gradients found in the beam finish. What’s even better about matching this style of beam to your shabby chic bedroom is that you can also coordinate your wood tones throughout other room features, such as your bedframe, a writing desk, or even a dresser.

Bordering The Dining Room

When you’re looking for ways to give your dining room a facelift, a great way to add style and tie the room together is to match your dining furniture to the room itself. This means that the Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beams are a great choice for your dining room because lighter woods are often easier to clean and make for great dining room tables. With wood features in your dining room that match or coordinate from the furniture to the walls or ceiling, the bright, natural tones in these beams will create a beautifully bright and cohesive space that the whole family will enjoy for years to come!

Dividing Up a Large Room

Did you know that you can order the Rift White Oak Natural Wood Beam with four sides? At Volterra Architectural Products, we carry our faux wood beams in all shapes and sizes to help homeowners create a custom space that perfectly fits their needs. A beam with four sides is a great option to use as a faux structural column that stretches from floor to ceiling without touching any walls. This is a great way to add dimension and break up a large room that may not otherwise be easy to style. Rooms like a large dining hall, a wide great room, or even a den can benefit from floating columns to help direct the eye and foot traffic through the room easily.

Learn more about the wide selection of faux wood beams and other options available from Volterra Architectural Products and get started shopping for your home’s new accessories today! Still have questions? Contact us directly!

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Learn More About The Best Faux Wood Beams

Posted on November 28, 2022December 13, 2022 by Volterra

When you’re a homeowner interested in finding the best products for your home and lifestyle, you have a lot of factors to consider. Whether you’re renovating your home, remodeling your home, or simply looking for products to give your space a facelift, you don’t want to break the bank, but you also want to get high-quality materials. Luckily, you can have the best of both worlds for your home with the best faux wood beams on the market when you shop Volterra Architectural Products! But what makes our beams the best faux wood beams and why should you buy them? Keep reading to learn more today!

Wide Selection of The Products You Want

One of the top reasons our customers love shopping Volterra for their faux beams and more is because we carry a huge selection of the products homeowners need to improve and customize their home. Whether you’re looking for modern, rustic, traditional, or even customized styles of beams, we have what you need! Our team is also here to help guide you through the selection process if you’re unsure about what would fit best in your home and for your style. Shop our four categories of faux beams, including Custom Faux Wood Beams, 48-Hour Faux Wood Beams, Quick Ship Faux Wood Beams, and Faux Steel I Beams!

All Kinds of Styles and Colors

Choosing the right faux wood beams for your home improvement project doesn’t have to be difficult or stifling. Instead, with Volterra Faux Wood Beams, you can choose from an endless selection of colors, styles, cuts, and stains for your new beams. Whether you’re looking for a hand-hewn look in dark walnut tones, or a customizable sand-blasted faux wood beam, we have everything you’re looking for, including different lengths, different end cuts, and even different widths, too.

Get Your Beams When You Need Them

If you’re on a tight schedule for your home projects, either because you’re trying to list your home for sale, or because you have set a deadline for yourself, you don’t have to worry about long production or shipping times with Volterra! Part of what makes our faux wood beams the best is that there are many that are available to ship quickly or within 48 hours! Both selections of faux wood beams are top-quality and designed with homeowners like you in mind, so you’re not skimping on quality or selection if you need your beams quickly!

Make Your Home Unique

Many homeowners believe that their home should be a reflection of the people who live there, and at Volterra, we believe that, too! That’s why we carry such a wide selection of faux wood beams. Whether you’re looking for beams that will add a traditional look or a modern flair to your home, we have the products you’re looking for. Choose from rustic beams, majestic beams, rough sawn beams, Doug Fir beams, and even hand-hewn beams for your home!

Getting faux wood beams for your next home improvement project is easy! Simply get started shopping for yours online today or reach out to our team to learn more about our products! Still have some questions? Visit our FAQ page to learn more, or read articles about our products on our blog.

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Are Custom Faux Wood Beams Right for You?

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Volterra

With Volterra’s large collection of faux wood beams, it can be difficult to determine which option is best for you. Our custom faux beams are a popular choice, as they make it easier to find the perfect addition to your space.

If you’re wondering whether or not faux wood beams are the right choice for you, you’ve come to the right place. We hope to help in your decision by sharing four signs that our custom beams are for you.

You Have a Unique Ceiling Structure Where Custom Sizes Are Needed

One of the main reasons our customers opt for custom faux beams is because they need specific sizes that aren’t available with ready-made beams. With Volterra’s custom beams, you can get the perfect size, length, and width for your ceiling without having to make any pesky alterations yourself.

You Want Each Faux Wood Beam to Be Different

Custom beams from Volterra are hand-fabricated, meaning that each one is unique and made-to-order. This is opposed to ready-made beams, which are often mass-produced and lack character. If you want each beam in your home to have its own story and more authentically replicate real wood beams, then custom beams are the way to go.

You Want the Ability to Choose Your Own Finish

One of the most difficult decisions with our custom wood beams is choosing the stain, only because there are so many to choose from! Most beams will have stain choices like dark walnut, oak, driftwood, mahogany, and more. You can even order them primed so that you can add a specific stain or finish yourself.

You’re Okay With Longer Wait Times

Custom beams have a longer lead time than ready-made beams because each one is made-to-order. However, we think the wait is worth it when you end up with a one-of-a-kind product that is the perfect size and finish for your home.

So, there you have it! If any of these four things resonate with you, then custom faux wood beams from Volterra are definitely the right choice for you. Browse our collection today and get started on creating your dream space!

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Things to Know About Quick Ship Faux Wood Beams

Posted on October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 by Volterra

Looking for a fast and easy way to add some rustic charm to your home decor? More and more homeowners and designers are using faux wood beams from Volterra Architectural Products to transform their interior spaces.

Volterra’s collection of Quick Ship faux ceiling beams is one of the most popular, as they benefit buyers in terms of cost, convenience, and ease of installation and maintenance. In this article, we’ll share some important things to know about our Quick Ship faux wood beams.

Available in Traditional Wood Styles

Similar to the other collections of faux wood beams that Volterra offers, our Quick Ship beams are available in a variety of traditional wood styles, including Rustic, Rough Sawn, Doug Fir, and so much more. Additionally, each style of our Quick Ship beams can be further tailored to your space with different sizes and stains to choose from.

Poured Monolithically

All of our Quick Ship beams are poured monolithically, which means that they’re created as a single piece. This offers a number of advantages in terms of stability and longevity, as there are no weak points or joints that can break down over time. One thing to keep in mind is, that since these faux wood beams are monolithically manufactured, each beam you order will be identical in appearance. If you want each beam to be different in appearance like natural wood beams, our custom faux wood beams would be a better choice, as each beam is hand-fabricated and unique in its own way. That said, once the quick ship faux wood beams are installed, it is difficult to tell whether each beam is different from the next.

Shipping Time is 3-4 Weeks

Most faux wood beams tend to have a longer wait when it comes to shipping — quality faux ceiling beams with the ever-so-popular ”two-day shipping” simply don’t exist. Products like these tend to have longer shipping times for various reasons, but the manufacturing process and demand for the product are the most common. Our Quick Ship beams are here to combat the longer shipping times that are traditionally associated with real and faux wood beams. With any Volterra Quick Ship Beam, you can expect shipping time to be approximately three-to-four weeks. For reference, our custom faux wood beams typically have a seven-to-eight week shipping time. Therefore, Quick Ship faux wood beams are the best choice for those who want simple yet aesthetically-effective ceiling beams without the long wait.

A Budget Friendly Option

While our Quick Ship beams are by no means the cheapest faux wood beams on the market, they are a budget-friendly option for those who want the Volterra quality without the premium price tag. Our Quick Ship beams start as low as $175 but increase in price when specific styles, increased styles, and stains are incorporated into the order. Regardless of which faux wood beam option you choose, all of our products are competitively priced and made of high-quality materials, so you can be confident that you’re receiving a great product no matter which route you go.

If you’re looking for an easy, convenient, and budget-friendly faux wood beam option, our Quick Ship beams are the perfect choice. With a variety of styles and stain options to choose from, you’re sure to find the right beam for your space. Shipping is fast and easy, so you can enjoy your new beams in no time. When your order arrives, be sure to check out our faux wood beam installation tips. For further questions regarding our faux wood beam products, contact Volterra Architectural Products today.

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Things You Should Know About Real Wood Ceiling Beams

Posted on July 25, 2022July 27, 2022 by Volterra

The collection of faux wood beams at Volterra Architectural Products are a fantastic way to add some character to your home without breaking the bank. However, we understand that some people prefer the look and feel of real wood beams in their ceilings. That’s why we also offer real wood ceiling beams, too.

Our collection of natural wood beams are available in various sizes and styles to fit your project’s needs. However, before you purchase and install real wood beams in your home, there are a few things you should know.

They Are Not Solid

Although they are manufactured to look like a solid piece of wood, our real wood beams are actually hollow on the inside. This makes them much lighter than solid wood beams, which is an important consideration during the installation process.

They Are Not Load-Bearing

If you’re looking for beams to support the weight of your home, real wood beams are not the right choice. Because they are box-style and hollow on the inside, they are not structurally sound enough to support a home’s weight. These beams should be installed for decorative purposes only.

They Are Manufactured with Edge Grain Seams and Butt Joints

All of our real wood beams are made with edge-grain seams and butt joints. These types of joints are not as strong as mortise and tenon or dovetail joints, so the beams should be handled with care during installation.

Finishes and Sealers Are Available

To help protect your beams and keep them looking their best, we offer a variety of stylish finishes and sealers in three different levels of protection: 15 Sheen, 45 Sheen, and 90 Sheen. These additions will be an extra cost to your project, but they’re worth it to ensure your beams last for years to come.

If you’re considering adding real wood beams to your home, we hope this information has been helpful. Be sure to consult with a professional before installation to ensure the beams are installed properly and safely. Check out our selection of real wood beams today.

The Challenges of Bringing Steel Beams into Your Interior Design

Posted on July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 by Volterra

Many homeowners desire the look of steel beams in their homes but don’t want to deal with the challenges that come along with them. Thankfully, it’s possible to get the best of both worlds with faux steel beams from Volterra Architectural Products.

Our faux steel beams are made of lightweight Poplar hardwood and are an easy way to add the modern industrial look of steel I beams without the hassle. Almost always, structural steel beams need to be incorporated in the original build and can’t be added later. Here are some of the other challenges that come with real steel beams and how faux steel beams from Volterra are the perfect solution.

Weight

One of the challenges that come with steel beams is their weight. This can make installation difficult and time-consuming. A steel support beam can weigh anywhere from six to 100 pounds per linear foot, which means that a 12-foot beam can weigh up to 1200 pounds. This can be a problem for homeowners who don’t have the necessary equipment or experience to install them.

Support

Most residential spaces are not designed to support the weight of steel beams. This means that homeowners need to make structural changes, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Volterra faux steel beams are non-structural, meaning they can be installed without the need for expensive and time-consuming structural changes.

Cost

Another challenge that comes with steel beams is their cost. The price of steel has been on the rise in recent years, which means that steel beams have become more expensive. Plus, the cost of labor to install them and make any necessary structural changes can also be expensive. Because Volterra faux steel beams are made of lightweight Poplar hardwood, they are more affordable and easier to install.

Maintenance

Steel beams are also susceptible to rust and corrosion, which means they require regular maintenance. This can be a problem for homeowners who don’t want to deal with the hassle of maintaining their steel beams. Volterra faux steel beams are resistant to rust and corrosion, so you don’t have to worry about maintaining them.

Volterra faux steel beams are the perfect way to add the industrial look of steel beams to your home without the challenges that come with them. To learn more about our faux steel beam collection, visit our website or contact us today.

Faux Wood Beams Vs Real Wood Beams: Which is Best for You?

Posted on July 11, 2022August 31, 2022 by Volterra

If you’re considering wood beams for your ceiling, you might be wondering whether to go with real wood or faux wood. Both have their own unique benefits that might make them the right choice for your home. In this blog post, we’ll be comparing real wood beams and faux wood beams, so you can decide which is the best option for you.

Price

When it comes to price, real wood beams are typically more expensive than faux wood beams. This is because real wood beams are made from actual lumber, which can be costly. On the other hand, faux wood beams are made from polyurethane, which is a much cheaper material. So if you’re on a budget, faux wood beams might be the better option for you, especially since it’s difficult to tell them apart from the real thing!

Installation

Of course, real wood beams are heavier than their faux counterparts that are made out of high-density foam. This means that real wood beams can be more difficult to install, and you might need the help of a professional. Keep in mind, though, that real wood beams from Volterra are box-style beams, which means they’re hollow on the inside and lighter compared to other real wood beams, making them easier to install.

Appearance

One of the best things about real wood beams is that they can be customized to your liking. You can choose to leave them unfinished for a more rustic look, or you can stain or paint them to match your home’s décor. Faux wood beams also come in a variety of colors and styles, so you’re sure to find something that fits your taste. And because they’re made from polyurethane, they’re much more durable than real wood beams and won’t warp or crack over time.

Maintenance

Real wood beams require more maintenance than faux wood beams. You’ll need to regularly dust and vacuum them, and if they’re unfinished, you’ll need to apply a new coat of stain or paint every few years. Faux wood beams are very low-maintenance since they’re made from polyurethane. All you need to do is dust them occasionally, and they’ll look like new for years to come.

So, which is the better option for you? It really depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, then faux wood beams are probably the way to go. But if you want beams that can be customized to your liking and don’t mind doing a bit of extra maintenance, real wood beams might be the better choice. Whichever you choose, Volterra has a great selection of both real wood beams and faux wood beams to choose from!

How to Make the Most of Your Samples

Posted on July 1, 2022August 8, 2022 by Volterra

How to Make the Most of Your Samples

It’s no secret that faux wood beams from Volterra Architectural Products are some of the most realistic and beautiful on the market. No matter which style and finish you choose, our beams will add warmth, character, and an element of luxury to your home.

If you’re considering faux wood beams for your next project, we highly recommend ordering samples first. Seeing the product in person is the best way to get a feel for the quality and decide which option is right for you and your space. Below, we’ve compiled four tips to help you make the most of your samples and feel confident in your final decision.

Asses Your Style & Existing Decor

When browsing our beam samples, it’s important to consider your existing style and decor. Do you have a rustic farmhouse feel or more of a modern aesthetic? Are your ceilings high or low? Our beams come in a variety of styles, from a rougher-looking hand-hewn to a sleek and modern Douglas Fir. It’s important to find something that compliments your existing style and makes a statement in your space.

Select Multiple Samples to Choose From

If you’re feeling undecided or simply can’t decide on the style or finish of your beams, we suggest ordering multiple samples. This way, you can see the beams in person and hold them up to your existing decor to get a better idea of how they’ll look. It’s much easier to make a decision when you can see the beams in your space and compare them side-by-side.

Look at the Beam Samples in Place

Once you’ve narrowed down your selection, it’s time to take a closer look at the samples. If possible, have someone help you by holding the beam samples up in the area they will likely be installed. This will give you a better idea of how they’ll look in your space and help you decide on the perfect style for your home.

Think About Lighting

Finally, it’s important to think about lighting when selecting your beams. Different times of day and types of lighting can drastically change the look of a beam. We recommend taking samples home and holding them up in various light settings, both natural and artificial, to see how they look. This will help you decide if the beam is too light or dark for your space and make sure you’re happy with your final decision.

Once you have samples in hand, it’s much easier to make a decision on which faux wood beams are right for your home. At Volterra, we offer beam samples in our custom faux beams, quick ship beams, faux steel beams, and natural wood planks collections. We’re confident you’ll find the perfect option for your space. Browse our faux wood beam samples today.

What Are Wood Beams Used For?

Posted on May 3, 2022August 8, 2022 by Volterra

What Are Wood Beams Used For?

Traditionally used for structural support, wood beams have become a beautiful architectural addition to homes all over the US. Natural wood beams can bring out the character of a home and improve the feel of kitchens, dining, rooms, living rooms, and any other space in your home. At Volterra, we create beautiful wood beams to add character to your home. Here are four architectural elements that natural wood beams can bring into your home. To see how wood beams can improve your home, check out our collections today!

Adding Age

For thousands of years, natural wood beams have been used to provide structural support for mess halls, pubs, castles, and homes among other things. Because of their rich history, wood beams bring a sense of age to any home they are integrated into. Whether natural wood beams spark images of Scottish castles, southern architecture, or a medieval pub, they will inspire thoughts of historical architecture that nothing else does.

They Add Detail

When vaulted or flat ceilings are plain, that space can feel empty and boring. This is the reason people hang things on the wall or install chandeliers. But, natural wood beams can add detail to a plain, boring ceiling that nothing else can. With several different wood options and finishes available, our wood beams will spice up any space that needs a touch of detail to pop. Check out our options today!

Create Distinction

Think about some of the favorite homes that you have visited in the past and the elements of that home that stood out to you. Odds are—if you’ve been to a home with wood beams—those wood beams on the ceiling stood out to you as something you would want to integrate into your own home. Natural wood beams create a distinction in any room they are integrated into and help your home to stand out among others.

Improve a Home’s Storyline

All of the improvements above can be integrated into one large topic—natural wood beams help your home to tell a story. A good story has the three things listed above. With age, detail, and distinction, natural wood beams convey something about you and your home that few architectural additives can. Whether they amplify beautiful countertops or make your cabinets pop, natural wood beams in your home help you space to tell a story and share memories—creating a space where meals are enjoyed, memories are made, and relationships are built. To see how natural wood beams can help your house feel more like a home, reach out to us today!

At Volterra, we help to create spaces that make for great memories, and natural wood beams add incredible detail and distinction to your home that nothing else can. From white oak to alder, we offer tons of incredible wood beam options to choose from. Check out our collection and order today!

Popular Wood Choices for Tongue and Groove Ceilings

Posted on April 27, 2022March 14, 2024 by Volterra

Popular Wood Choices for Tongue and Groove Ceilings

Whether you’re looking to achieve a modern or rustic aesthetic in your interior design scheme, a tongue and groove (T&G) ceiling can help you bring your vision to life. At Volterra, we can assist with this process. Before you get started on your T&G ceiling, you need to choose what it will be made of. Here is a quick look at the different options you have:

Hemlock Natural Wood

If you’re looking for an economical T&G ceiling option, then hemlock is a good choice. This type of wood is lightweight and easy to work with, making it a popular choice among DIYers. Hemlock also takes paint and stain well, so you can customize the look of your T&G ceiling to match your décor.

Fir Natural Wood

Fir is another fantastic tongue and groove ceiling option for those on a budget. It’s lightweight and easy to work with — perfect! You can also paint or stain it whatever color you want without worrying about the finish rubbing off after time has passed; this will give your room exactly what they were looking for in just one look!

White Oak Natural Wood

For a more durable T&G ceiling, white oak is a good choice. This hardwood is resistant to rot and insect damage, making it a good choice for areas where there is a higher risk of moisture or pests. White oak is also more difficult to work with than softer woods, so it’s best to leave the installation to professionals.

Poplar Natural Wood

The beautiful grain of poplar wood makes it a popular choice for tongue and groove ceilings. It’s similar in durability to white oak, but easier on your tools because its colors don’t run when stained or painted too heavily — giving you total control over how much color will show through from start!

Alder Natural Wood

Alder is a softwood that is often used for T&G ceilings. At Volterra, we have two Alder variations to choose from: superior and knotty. The more knots an alder board has, the more rustic it is. Meanwhile, smoother surfaces can be found in superior alder boards where there are fewer wood fibers present on the surface. When choosing between the two, also consider paint or stain applications. With fewer wood fibers, superior boards don’t reflect as much light due to their lack of patterning.

No matter what type of wood you choose for your T&G ceiling, Volterra can help you materialize your dream. We have a wide variety of T&G ceiling options to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your home or business. Contact us today to learn more about our tongue and groove ceiling options or to place an order.