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

How To Design An Industrial Living Space That You’ll Love Spending Time In

Posted on by Volterra

I beam images in an industrial beach houseCreating a stylish living room that is suitable for lounging around and entertaining guests is a fantastic way to make your house feel like a home. While there are many different living room designs that you can incorporate into your space, industrial style living rooms have increased in popularity and have taken the interior design world by storm.

You may think that you need an open-concept loft space or warehouse to achieve the industrial look in your living room, but the truth is that industrial living room design is more than just exposed ductwork and floor-to-ceiling windows. With a few accents, additions, and touches, you can have an industrial vibe to even the most traditional living room. In this blog, our design experts shed some light on industrial interior design and share some simple ways that you can achieve the industrial look in your space.

Elements of Industrial Interior Design

The industrial interior design style came into existence nearly five decades ago, as property developers and architects started to convert warehouses, factories, and other industrial buildings into modern homes. The popularity of the look has increased tenfold in recent years, and shows no signs of slowing down — it’s safe to assume that the industrial interior design style is here to stay. Industrial style interior design typically consists of stripped back architectural details including the use of brick, metal, and wood, as well as salvaged and recycled materials.

How to Create Achieve Your Own Industrial Living Space

The industrial look remains one of the most timeless styles you can achieve for your living room and throughout the rest of your home. The best benefit in creating industrial style spaces is that you’ll have the opportunity to customize the look using furniture and decor that are entirely unique to your home. When planning an industrial style living room for your abode, keep these tips in mind.

1. Utilize Neutral Colors

One of the most notable things about industrial style interior design is the rich color palette it incorporates into your space. Brown, white, black, and other neutral tones create a clean, minimalist, and harmonious look. Consider pairing different shades of brown and tan to get a more relaxing space, adding white elements and black accents to both create clean contrast and character.

2. Open Up Your Space

Warehouses, factories, and other industrial buildings were typically large, open spaces. Industrial living room interior design is often incorporated into spaces with an open concept layout for that reason. However, you can recreate that same feeling in your living room regardless of your surroundings. Make function the focus of the space. Eliminate any clutter and keep pathways clear. Make sure that your living room furniture is arranged in groups to create areas for conversation and relaxation without disrupting the openness of the space. 

3. Incorporate Industrial Style Lighting

Lighting plays a huge role in interior design, especially when it comes to a space like your living room. While every interior style has its own preferred lighting choices, industrial lighting choices are unique in a way that they have the ability to create a statement in your space. The most popular industrial style lighting is made of metal and often consists of a combination of pendants and lamps — the light bulbs often vary in both size and shape and it’s common to find fixtures being hung straight down from the ceiling. Other popular features for industrial style lighting are wood or metal details and unconventional objects, such as repurposed pipes and chains, as parts of the lamps or fixtures.

4. Highlight Exposed Structural Elements

If your space already has exposed structural elements and finishes, you’re already a step ahead of most homeowners that want to achieve the industrial style in their living space. Brick walls, concrete floors, ductwork, and pipes are elements that, besides being typical features of industrial style, are unique to your space and will certainly add character. If you have these elements in your space already, draw attention to them by painting them a contrasting color.

5. Add Metal Accents

Metal accents are another staple of industrial style interior design. In modern living rooms with industrial style, it is common to see metal pieces used to introduce black accents to the space. When thinking about which metal accents to incorporate into your space it is important to remember that, in an industrial interior setting, metal accents can go further than just you may think. Look to add a touch of metal wherever you can to add to the industrial style of the space. Shelving units with a metal structure, tables and chairs with metal legs, and other metal decor and accessories will bring glamour and cohesiveness to your space.

6. Consider Faux Steel Beams

What is the best and easiest way to achieve the industrial look in your living room? Installing faux steel beams is a great start! Faux steel beams manufactured by Volterra Architectural Products are the perfect solution to transforming both the look and feel of your living space. They are manufactured using lightweight hardwood material, making them incredibly easy to install compared to real metal ceiling beams. If your space doesn’t naturally have the exposed structural elements of an industrial building, decorative steel beams are an easy solution. Not only that, but their realistic appearance and black color add appeal, contrast, and depth, to any space in which they are installed. To learn more about faux metal beams, click here.

Industrial interior living room design allows you to achieve a space that embraces antique beauty while still enjoying modern conveniences. Remember, you don’t have to live in an open loft or renovated warehouse to achieve the industrial look you desire. Use the tips above to transform your living room into an industrial setting.

If you are interested in enhancing your space with faux steel beams, Volterra Architectural Products has what you need. If you’re looking for a more rustic design for your space, we also manufacture quality faux wood beams. Shop our selection of decorative ceiling beams today.

3 Ways to Bring Natural Elements Into Your Home

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Spending time in nature has the ability to ease the mind, reduce stress, and refresh the body. But depending on where you live, you may not be able to get to spend as much time immersed in nature as you would like. If this sounds all too familiar, adding natural elements into your home can help you bridge the gap between your abode and being outdoors.

Not only are natural elements a fantastic way to refresh your interior design, but they also can create a fresh, welcoming feel to your home. In this blog, we’ll share some great ways that you can bring natural and organic elements into your interior theme.

Purchase Houseplants

One of the easiest ways to bring nature into your home is to purchase houseplants. Introducing more greenery will enhance any space — not only do they add a decorative touch, but they can also improve your mood by filtering noxious pollutants from the air. Here are some great houseplants to consider incorporating into your interior design.

  • English Ivy – A glossy-leafed, dark green ivy plant can bring elegance and charm to any space. 
  • Fiddle-Leaf Fig – Easily recognizable and loved for its distinctive foliage, the Fiddle-Leaf Fig has very large, heavily-veined, violin-shaped leaves that grow upright.
  • Snake Plant – A snake plant is very easy to care for. Its architectural nature fits well with modern and contemporary interior designs.

There are so many different houseplants that would be great additions to your interior theme! Each has different care requirements regarding watering, sunlight, and temperature. Make sure you choose houseplants that you will be able to maintain to ensure that the spaces in your home are always fresh and vibrant.

Use Marble

Whatever your style, using marble elements is one of the easiest ways to refresh any space with a touch of natural, unexpected flair — plus a whole lot of class. Marble boasts a sophisticated color palette expertly refined by nature. Adding marble countertops in the kitchen, or a marble vanity in the bathroom, are both great ways to add an elegant-yet-natural finish to the most used spaces in your home. 

Install Real Wood Ceiling Beams and Planks

The look of natural wood can drastically enhance your interior spaces. Installing real wood ceiling beams and Tongue and Groove planks is a great way to create visual interest and bring a unique flair to your home. Whether used in the kitchen, living room, or the master bedroom, installing real wood beams on the ceiling is sure to bring a distinctive, austere elegance to any room. 

You can purchase real wood ceiling beams and planks from Volterra Architectural Products. Volterra’s selection of real wood beams are hand fabricated from natural timber. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your interior spaces. Additionally, if your space or budget cannot support natural timber beams, Volterra also manufactures a wide selection of durable, lightweight faux wood beams. 

If you enjoy being in nature and want to incorporate it into your humble abode, start with these three suggestions! If you’re interested in adding real wood beams to your interior spaces, check out the selection offered by Volterra Architectural Products today. 

How to Trim Faux Beam Straps

Posted on by Volterra

An image of a faux beam strap with clavos from Volterra Architectural Products

Faux beam straps manufactured by Volterra Architectural Products are designed to hide gaps and accent both faux wood or real wood ceiling beams. These beam straps, as well as the other beam accessories that we offer, are manufactured with an incredibly flexible and durable resin material.

Our selection of faux iron beam straps are meant to be used with our high-quality faux wood beams. However, the beam size that you need will often be different from what others need, and therefore, we produce our beam straps to be longer than what is typically needed. Fortunately, our flexible beam straps are easy to trim and install.

How to ‘Trim to Fit’ Faux Beam Straps from Volterra

If you have ordered Volterra’s beam straps to install on your faux wood beams, you will need to trim them before installing them so that they will fit properly. Doing so is simple, and in this blog, we are going to walk you through the required steps. Before starting, make sure you have a steel framing square and a sharp razor blade ready-to-go.

Step #1: Determine the Measurements

Before you trim your beam strap to fit, make sure you have the right measurements. By strategically placing a properly measured beam strap, you can make the faux wood beams in your home look even more real while adding more depth and detail. One you have the measurements, feel free to mark the beam with a pencil.

Step #2: Start Making the Cut

Using a steel frame, line up where you will be trimming the beam strap. Next take a razor blade to score the material at the trimming point. Use the razor blade to continuously go through the material until the cut has been made. This should leave you with a nice, square cut.

Step #3: Get the Strap Ready for Installation

When you have trimmed the beam strap to fit your faux wood beam, there are a couple more things you can do before installing them. First, you should make sure that dust and debris is removed from the beam strap. This can be done by using acetone and cloth. Additionally, you can make the strap look even more like forged iron by preparing them with spray paint. Additionally, you can add a custom finish to faux beam straps by using a metallic pewter finish. Once you have prepared your beam straps and are ready to install them on faux wood beams, watch this video.

There you have it! By following these steps you should have no trouble trimming your faux beam straps to get them ready to install on your faux wood beams.

Order Volterra Beam Straps for You Faux Wood Beams

If you want to add depth and detail to your space, order flexible beam straps are a great way to do so. Visit our website to browse our selection of beam straps and other flexible beam accessories. Contact us if you have any questions and our team will be happy to assist you!

 

Benefits of Faux Wood Beams

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Adding wooden beams to the interior of your home is a great way to give any room a distinctive, austere elegance. While real wooden beams are gorgeous and true natural beauty, the price point to purchase and install them is enough to turn people away. However, your dreams don’t have to be crushed — faux wood beams look just like real wood ceiling beams. Unless close enough to touch them, there is really no way to tell the difference between real and faux wood ceiling beams.

Volterra Architectural Products is America’s largest manufacturer of faux wood beams, custom faux wood beams, and other polyurethane architectural details. Using high-quality HDF material, Volterra utilizes molds from real pieces of wood to manufacture their faux wooden beams. This detailed process enables duplication of the original external appearance of wood, right down to the graining, knotting, and even the worm holes. Let’s take a look at some of the other benefits faux wood beams offer.

Easy Installation

While real wood beams may be beautiful, they are extremely heavy, especially when considering a beam that will stretch across your living area or kitchen. As you can imagine, the installation would not be a walk in the park and will likely require a team of people to properly install the. With faux wood beams, on the other hand, the lightweight construction makes installation a breeze, oftentimes a one or two-man job.

Versatility

Wood ceiling beams are pretty much limited to just that ceiling. Even then, the weight of real wood limits the number of beams that can be used while still retaining structural integrity. Because faux wooden beams are lightweight, the possibilities for implementing them into your interior or exterior decor is only limited by your imagination. No matter where you plan to install faux wood beams, there are countless ways to experiment with patterns — consider traditional horizontal placement or create a more intricate look by criss crossing beams.

Durability

Volterra’s faux wooden beams can withstand the test of time because of the properties they possess. Unlike authentic wood beams, faux wooden beams will not rot, chip or split. These beams are designed to maintain their appearance for years and eyes. Maintenance-free and resistant to many of the elements that can compromise the structural integrity of real wood, faux wood beams are incredibly durable, whether used indoors or outdoors.

Functional

In addition to having great appeal and charm, faux wood beams are very functional. With a hollow inside, making them perfect for hiding electrical wiring, installing recessed lighting, and structural flaws in the ceiling — the perfect solution for covering cracks, uneven ceilings or outdated popcorn style ceilings.

Eco-Conscious

Of course, in today’s world being environmentally conscious is more important than ever before. While the appearance of natural wood beams is tough to beat, purchasing them, unfortunately, contributes to deforestation. Eco-conscious-minded people won’t have to think twice about their environmental impact with faux wood beams — you can get the authentic look you desire without having to use trees.

Cost-Effective

Believe it or not, real wooden beams typically cost fi\ve times as much as faux wood beams do — that’s not including the cost of installation and maintenance, both of which can add up quickly. Because fake wood beams are easy to install and don’t require any maintenance, they can save you tons of money overtime. If you have always dreamt of having wooden ceiling beams in your home but never had the budget for it, the cost-effectiveness of faux wooden beams helps you get the look you want while minimizing the impact on your finances.

Experience The Benefits of Faux Wood Beams

If you are looking for ways to improve your home improvement plan, faux wood beams are the perfect accompaniment to any space. Incredibly popular, durable, and affordable — you simply can’t go wrong choosing faux wood beams. Adding faux wood beams to your ceiling can have a lot of positive benefits on the looks and function of your space.

Unlike other companies that sell faux wood beams online, Volterra manufactures its own high-quality HDF beams. If you are interested in learning more, check out our selection of faux wooden beams today!

Use Faux Wood Beams for an Easier Makeover Project

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Beams are essential to the construction of any house. A ceiling and a roof are not simply suspended by walls that reach their edges and corners—serious additions need to be implemented to withstand the pressure and weight that ceilings carry. Beams transfer this weight from the roof and ceiling to stronger parts of a house, such as the walls, pillars, and columns. Not all beams, however, can provide an appealing aesthetic, so people turn to faux wood beams in this instance. Faux wood beams are so sought after because their exteriors mimic the exact appearances, grains, and textures of real wood beams. It has to be seen to be believed, but distinguishing between real beams and faux beams with the naked eye is virtually impossible. Faux wood comes with a host of many other benefits that keeps it in high demand as a housing material. If you have decorated your living room, bedroom, kitchen, and other rooms with the best decorations you can find, it makes sense to extend that beauty to above. Faux beams conjure a warm, comforting feeling to any space in which they are added, which is the exact same effect that real wood has. But there is so much more to them. It is easy to see why real wood beams have been in such high demand. Their strength, sturdiness, and natural beauty make them a no-brainer for builders and installers. Unfortunately, these beams can be difficult and expensive to install, given their density and weight. And just like wood in nature, these beams are susceptible to warping and rotting, as well as the effects of moisture and excessively high or low temperatures. Faux beams are immune to these drawbacks, made out of a high-density polyurethane foam that lasts through ages without any maintenance or care. Best of all, these beams can be installed with ease, thanks to their lightweight nature. Faux beams are such practical and useful structures that there is no reason to hold off any longer on using them in your next project or home makeover. To learn more about faux wood beams, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.

Flex Trim Moulding for Limitless Possibilities

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Decorating a house can sometimes be a more nuanced process than people give it credit for. Furniture, pictures, and electronics are necessary components of the process that take up the bulk of the room, and they will be the first things friends and family notice when stepping into your home. The little details, however, also warrant consideration, such as the edges of ceilings, walls, doors, and windows. Hardwood moulding is the typical solution, and a smart one at that. But hardwood is sometimes too rigid and stiff for the right application, and that is when it is time to choose flex trim moulding. Trim moulding is the crucial unifier of a house’s outskirts, namely its walls and ceilings. A wall without moulding looks bare and jarring at its edges where it meets the floor and the ceiling. Doors and windows look naked and vapid if there is not something outlining their sides. Moulding closes these gaps and provides definition and distinction, a sort of framework that gives prominence to these features. Hardwood does not always have the elasticity necessary for the best application, but flex moulding does. True to its name, flex trim moulding has enough flexibility to fit around radius corners. The person who is applying flex moulding can complete the job with a single piece, never having to reach for another. This unique material can bend, curve, and turn with ease. It also accommodates houses that have unique architecture. Walls and ceilings that have radius curves and round rooms can be adorned with beautiful moulding that brings out their captivating eccentricities. Volterra Architectural Products is the creator of Volterra Flex™, which is a flexible trim that covers all aspects of moulding: crown, casing, base, and and even rails. The master craftspeople at Volterra manufacture all Volterra Flex™ products out of a special urethane composite material that is meant for universal application. If that wasn’t enough, these trims have a simple installation process that evades all of the hassle that typically comes with natural wood materials. For more information about the benefits of flex trim moulding, call Volterra Architectural Products™ at 602.258.7373 today.

How to Apply Venetian Plaster

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Venetian plaster is a wall and ceiling paint finish that creates the smooth and elegant look of polished marble and natural stone with the illusion of depth and texture. Venetian plaster — sometimes known as lime plaster — is essentially a putty made from fired limestone or marble dust mixed with water. After the application, it develops a finish that has created that renowned genuine marble look.

Many people wonder how venetian plaster is applied to achieve that luxurious look. Traditionally, Veneitan plaster would need to be applied by a skilled craftsman using unique materials to get the proper effect. The good news, however, there are a variety of new products that make it possible for do-it-yourselfers to create similar results in just a few simple steps and with no special training or skills required. Volterra Architectural Products carries Italian plasters as well as other highly-recommended plaster finish products. In this blog, we’re going to share our tips and techniques that will make it easy to achieve a professional, old world finish. If you would like to see these steps, we encourage you to check out this video.

How to Apply Venetian Plaster

Of course, before you can apply Venetian plaster in your home, there are a few supplies that you will need. Most importantly, you will need a high-quality plaster product as well as a hand trowel for application and a smooth wall finish. In the video we referenced above, the applicator is using Tivoli Grasello Italian lime plaster and Volterra’s Flat Sealer finisher. When you have these right products and have properly prepared the surfaces of the wall and applied a bonder, follow these steps:

Step #1: Apply the First Coat of Italian Plaster

Make sure to properly mix the plaster before applying it. Starting at a corner of the room, apply the first coat of the plaster to the wall surface using a hand trowel. Apply a thin coat of plaster while holding the trowel using random, short strokes with medium pressure. You should hold your trowel at a 15- to 30-degree angle to the wall. Remember, you don’t have to be concerned with covering every square inch of the surface evenly. Let some of the original wall surface show through in spots for more color variation in appearance, but keep the surface reasonably smooth.

Step #2: Use a Shop Light for the Second Coat

If you have a shop light you can use it to see if there are any imperfections that need to be fixed with the application of the second coat. Simply shine the light towards the wall you will be working on. You’ll want to flatten the material using medium pressure to bring out minimal mottling. Make sure to cover the surfaces thoroughly, filling voids and removing high spots. You should let the plasterdry for at least 24 hours before moving on to the next step that involves applying the finish.

Step #3: Apply Volterra Flat Sealer

Oftentimes, applying a topcoat is an optional final step when applying Venetian plaster. We recommend finishing as it adds durability to the surface. This is vital for plaster that is applied in rooms with high moisture — such as bathrooms — and areas with high traffic. If possible, use an HVLP sprayer for more efficient and guaranteed coverage when applying the finish. You should spray enough material to wet out the wall. We also recommend applying a second coat of Flat Sealer. Once the top coat finish is dry, you have the option to burnish the surface to create a more polished look.

You can easily transform the plain, bland walls in your home into stylish and elegant looking structures by applying just a few strokes of Venetian Italian plaster. If you appreciate the old world aesthetic and elegant simplicity of classic European-style homes, then Venetian plaster might be the perfect finish for you. Not to mention, it looks great when paired with our faux wood beams.

Shop Volterra’s Selection of Italian Plasters

If you want to achieve the classy and elegant look that Venetian Italian plaster can offer, check out our selection of plaster products. As one of the leading plaster companies in Phoenix, you can trust we carry the best products. Contact us today to learn more information.

Choose a Roof Truss Design Carefully to Bring out the Best in Your Home

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The truss is traditionally a triangular structure built to disperse the weight of the ceiling and the roof to other parts of the home that can handle all of that pressure. Given that they are usually purely functional mechanisms, it makes sense why they are often hidden from plain sight. The complex design of the truss, however, leaves a lot of unused potential. Seeking out an exposed truss for the sake of an appearance is a wiser investment than it might seem, and the proper roof truss design can heighten the allure of your house. A visible truss, or an exposed truss, is the answer to the lingering question of the grand design. The vast space of the ceiling gets quickly filled with a truss, given how it expands widely. Faux trusses are created from synthetic materials, but they have the ability to replicate the appearance of natural wood. Authentic wood has long been popular as a structure for its natural beauty, evoking the old-world atmosphere of oaken trees. The system of wooden beams within the framework of the truss has a traditional look, but various designs can be chosen from to suit a more unique dream for the finished product. Volterra Architectural Products manufactures innovative fake wood truss systems that vary from one another, all designed to look just like natural wood but created with lightweight materials that ensure easy installation. The Cascade truss features a patchwork of vertical and horizontal beams, with curved beams that turn away from each other. The Aspen features a trio of beams entwined with arching fixtures. And the Hawkeye is a team of uniform beams that slowly increase and then decrease in size, intercut by a curving piece as the bottom. A curious architectural oddity like the truss can be one of the most attractive parts of a building. Volterra lets you choose the faux wood truss that best suits your vision. To find out more about the roof truss that is right for you, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.

Millwork for Universal Application

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The distinct charm of a well-lived-in home often lies in its details, where every element, from floors to ceilings, plays a pivotal role in creating an inviting atmosphere. This is where the subtlety and impact of millwork come into play. At Volterra Architectural Products, we understand the transformative power of millwork in tying together the various aspects of a house, giving it a cohesive and polished look.

Framing Spaces With Millwork

Millwork provides essential framing that helps define and highlight the architectural elements of a house. Whether it’s doors, windows, or walls, the right millwork can make these features stand out, offering a sense of structure and connection. It’s this strategic use of moulding and trims that lends a finished, refined look to a space, distinguishing it from a bare, new house.

Creating Smooth Transitions

A key aspect of millwork is its ability to create smooth transitions between different areas of a home. Without it, spaces can feel disjointed and cluttered. Properly implemented moulding and millwork ensure seamless flow from one area to another, enhancing the overall harmony and aesthetic appeal of your home.

The Art of Detailing With Moulding and Trims

Think of moulding and trims as the picture frames of your home. They may not always be grandiose, but they certainly add a special touch to the overall presentation. Volterra’s collection of moulding and millwork offers a range of options to embellish your doors, walls, and more with creative, subtle trims.

Enhancing Aesthetic and Functionality

Millwork isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about functionality. Well-designed millwork can improve the utility of spaces, providing additional structural support or concealing unsightly wiring and plumbing. This dual purpose of beauty and functionality makes millwork an integral component of any home design.

Personalization and Customization

At Volterra, we believe that every home is unique, and our millwork reflects that. Our products can be painted, stained, and cut to fit specific dimensions, allowing for personalization that matches your individual style and needs. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of hardwood or the sleek finish of modern designs, our millwork can be tailored to your preferences.

Millwork is a universal solution that adds depth, character, and cohesion to any home. At Volterra Architectural Products, our diverse range of moulding and millwork is crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and design. To explore how our millwork can elevate your home, contact us at 602.258.7373 and let us help you transform your space.

A Faux Wood Beam Goes a Long Way

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The ceiling of a generic building does not do much in the way of creating an appealing design or aesthetic. Whether it is a house or an office building, there are guaranteed to be many pipes, beams, and wires running all along each other near the ceiling, creating an unsightly and dull appearance. The faux wood beam can be incorporated to breathe some serious life into this layout. Faux materials might not sound much more exciting than generic materials, but the truth is that faux wood is a high-demand product that has become a staple for many builders and designers. Faux wood beams are created with the intention of copying every aspect of authentic wood beams, mirroring their natural beauty. Wood beams are used for holding a roof up, contributing not only durability, but also warm, enchanting ambiance. Faux beams evoke that same exact feeling, all while transforming the ceiling from a lackluster mess to an arrangement of breathtaking display. Another advantage of the faux beam is its hollow interior. This emptiness permits the strategic camouflage of any suspended fixtures that you don’t want visible. In fact, this benefit allows even greater freedom with installation. Speakers, lights, sprinklers, and more can fit into the easy-to-alter surface of faux beams, their wires and cables safely tucked inside. These beams will not create a mess or require intensive planning to be properly cut into for the sake of any additions. Volterra Architectural Products is an expert manufacturing company that understands the necessity of clean, beautiful building layouts. These master producers create faux beams out of a high-density polyurethane foam that never needs any special attention or care after being installed. The beams are also available in striking colors, such as the dark chocolate brown color of the Espresso, and real-wood textures such as the Doug Fir. For more information and details on faux wood beams, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.