Builders and installers, whether they are professionals or amateurs, find it hard to resist the allure of wood beams. It is easy to see why, given their durability and natural beauty. How many materials can mimic the sort of elegance that is captured by a structure that is carved, cut, and sawed entirely from natural wood? While there are not many that can create this same effect, there are some that can not only mirror that beauty, but also improve upon it: faux ceiling beams. Dense beams built to withstand the weight of ceilings and roofs are sometimes maligned by dull or unsightly features. Metal and steal beams do not do much to excite the imagination, especially if the wires of televisions and speakers mingle with them, resulting in a particularly messy look. Faux ceiling beams are the perfect disguises for these blemishes. As structures that are hollow inside, faux beams can strategically mask anything that needs to be covered up, and it does so in style. Faux beams are created as synthetic cousins to natural wood beams, all the way down to the last grain. Friends, guests, and family members will never be able to tell that they are marveling at pieces that were created from high-density polyurethane foam. Volterra Architectural Products creates faux beams for these needs and more. Adorning a ceiling with ceiling beams from this leading manufacturer of faux wood products means that you are guaranteed beams that will withstand extreme elemental factors, age, cracking, rotting, and more. The polyurethane foam negates the necessity of any maintenance, something that cannot be said for authentic wood. After completing the layout of a home, with all of its fixtures properly placed on the walls and floors, the lingering knowledge that the ceiling needs care can be a frustrating feeling. Faux beams alleviate this frustration with simple application and unmatched beauty. To learn more about the faux ceiling beams available from Volterra Architectural Products, call 602.258.7373 today.
Category: Architectural Product Blog – Design Tips, Inspiration, Industry Trends
How to Prepare VolterraFlex®Faux Iron Beam Straps and Other Beam Accessories
By installing Volterra’s high-quality faux wood beams, you can easily add depth and elegance to any room in your home. Faux wood beams are versatile, functional, and are very easy to install compared to real wood ceiling beams. Of all the benefits that faux wood beams offer, perhaps the most appealing is that they replicate the appearance of ceiling beams that are manufactured from real wood.
While installing faux wood beams is sure to enhance any space, you can make them appear even more realistic while simultaneously adding more charm to the space by adding VolterraFlex® faux iron beam straps and other flexible beam accessories. We manufacture these products using a highly-durable and flexible resin material. They are incredibly easy to install on faux wood ceiling beams, too. Before installing them, however, we recommend properly preparing them so that they look even more real and last longer. In this blog, we are going to share some simple steps that will help you prepare your faux iron accessories. If you would like to see these steps, we encourage you to check out this video.
How to Prepare VolterraFlex® Faux Iron Beam Straps and Other Beam Accessories
Preparing faux iron beam straps and other beam accessories does not require a lot of work or supplies. We recommend spraying these flexible beam accessories with rattle-can spray paint. The color choice is up to you, but using a flat matte spray paint will make these faux iron straps and accessories look even more like authentic forged iron. Applying spray paint will not only make it look better, but it will also help it last longer. In the video, Tim from Volterra Architectural Products walks you through how to prepare flexible beam straps, which we will reference for the sake of this post. Keep in mind, a similar process can be used for hangers, plates, t-plates, and other beam accessories. Before you are ready to paint your beam strap, make sure you have measured and cut it to the necessary size, then follow these steps:
Step #1: Prepare Work Area
If you want to keep the mess minimal you should create a workspace to paint your flexible beam straps. We recommend setting a table up outside with an old bed sheet laying over the top so that it does not get paint on it. Make sure you have your spray paint and that it has been well-shaken and ready to go.
Step #2: Apply the First Coat of Spray Paint
When you are ready to apply the first coat of paint. You really only need to dust the flexible beam strap with the paint. Press down on the tip with the can about 10″ to 12″ away from the strap, aimed to one side, then, in one fluid motion, sweep the paint horizontally across the surface and release the tip when you reach the other side. For complete and consistent coverage, be sure to start the spray before reaching the surface, and release it after passing it. You’ll also want to make sure that you get the edges.
Step #3: Add A Second Layer
After the application of the first layer, wait a few minutes and then get ready to add a second layer. Following the same application method, dust the beam strap with paint again. This additional layer will create a special finish, making the faux beam strap appear like real iron.
Step #4: Install the Beam Strap
Once you are finished, you’ll want to let the beam strap dry before you install it on a faux wood beam. Once the material is dry, make sure to remove any dust and debris (acetone works great). When you’re ready to install your faux beam strap, watch this video or check out this blog.
See? It is as simple as that! Adding depth and detail to faux wood beams has never been easier! If you would like to transform your interior or exterior space, check out Volterra’s selection of faux wood beams plus the faux iron straps and other beam accessories. As one of the leading faux wood beam manufacturers in the US, you can trust that we offer quality products at a competitive price. Contact Volterra Architectural Products to learn more!
Fill in the Empty Space with Beautiful Exposed Trusses
The ceiling is a wide, open space that often gets neglected in the decorating of a building in favor of more immediately visible parts, such as living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. But a ceiling’s emptiness can be a glaring oversight when taking into consideration the detailed adornments lining every other area of a space. Exposed trusses are big, space-filling marvels that beautifully fill ceilings with unique architectural elements. The conventional truss is a triangular-shaped structure that is built to carry the heavy loads that roofs and ceilings bear down on houses. The complex design of the truss carefully transfers this weight to strong and sturdy parts of the house like the walls. Usually, however, the truss is kept hidden in the area between the ceiling and the roof, so it is up to the exposed truss to provide an exciting and captivating appearance. Natural wood is often the material of choice for the most beautiful appearance, but natural wood trusses also come with a range of setbacks that rear their ugly heads sooner or later. Rotting, cracking, and warping are inevitable symptoms that result with age, leading to tedious and time-consuming maintenance. What is the alternative? Decorative trusses made of synthetic materials. Faux trusses from Volterra Architectural Products are manufactured specifically to imitate the exact appearance of natural wood, copying its color and texture, as well as the beauty that accompanies it. They are created to be lightweight to ensure a quick and easy installation process. These trusses also come in a variety of designs to match your taste, such as the curved Oxford and the baroque-looking Aspen. Exposed trusses absorb negative space quickly, and with their elaborate design and beauty, they embody everything positive about traditional wood structures. To learn more about the virtues of exposed trusses and how they can enhance the charisma of your home, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.
Non-Functional Architectural Beams Provide a Beautiful Aesthetic
Every facet of a building needs to work together to keep it standing strong and tall. An enormous feature like the ceiling doesn’t just stay suspended on its own, supported by just a few walls. It takes carefully placed structures that will absorb the pressure and disperse it to stronger areas. Beams achieve this feat, sitting high above in a building and transferring all of the weight to walls and columns. Sometimes, however, these beams are for function only and do not meet the design and aesthetic standards of builders, designers, and homeowners. Non-functional architectural beams are equally valuable additions. Standard beams do all of the hard work of bearing the weight. It is the job of the decorative beam to make a space shine as brightly as it can with its beautiful exterior. Faux beams that garner the most attention are typically those that duplicate the appearance of natural wood. Natural wood is a desired material because it has an elegant appearance that evokes a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Unfortunately, the cons of natural wood makes it a less enticing prospect when a builder is looking for purely aesthetic use. Its tendencies to wear, rot, and warp become problems down the line that require regular care. Faux beams, fortunately, avoid these problems, given their entirely synthetic makeup. The quality of beams will inevitably vary while looking for the ideal producer, but Volterra Architectural Products is the best bet for people who want consistently excellent products. Volterra has been in the business of manufacturing faux wood products for years. Volterra’s beams are created from high-density polyurethane foam for the sake of easy installation and round-the-clock immunity against the elements. With hollow interiors, these beams can fit around functional beams to adorn them with the breathtaking colors and textures of natural wood. Volterra has also garnered a reputation as a leading manufacturer of hardwood moulding and millwork products in Arizona. For more information about the unique products from Volterra Architectural Products, call 602.258.7373 today.
Use Stained Moulding or Color for Trim
A house that is absent of moulding is unheard of in this day and age. Moulding is practically beneficial for all surfaces of a house. The tops and bottoms of walls become adorned with attractive crown and baseboard moulding that add character. Windows become prominent and distinguished with a frame going around its edges. And doors become almost regal when walking through them. These decorative trims can become even better with a tint of color that brings to life its presence from above or below. Stained moulding opens up possibilities for an even more beautiful home layout. These trims exist to conjure the seamless, attractive transitions between walls and floors and walls and ceilings. With a beautiful color finish, your home becomes further indented with subtle yet remarkable details. Where can a person find moulds with colors? Volterra Architectural Products in Phoenix is the prime choice. Specializing in moulding and millwork, these expert manufacturers have a vast array of styles and wood species to choose from. Their profiles range from simple contemporary to hand-carved ornate and traditional moulding, in addition to complement any house design imaginable. For a posh and classic aura, there is the White River line of hand-carved ornate mouldings. For more simple styles, Volterra mills hundreds of profiles ranging from 1” in size to build-up mouldings that span 10” in width, all of which can be painted in any color or stained to accentuate the wood grain. These remarkable crown, base, case and panel mouldings are available to contractors and the public at Volterra Architectural Products in Phoenix, AZ. For more information about these and other architectural products, call Volterra at 602.258.7373 today.
Essential Phoenix Millwork for Homes
The interior of a home is never complete without a few subtle additions that both decorate its features and strengthen its functionality. Millwork is often the factor that results in this enhancement, providing practical and aesthetic use. Phoenix millwork specialists, Volterra Architectural Products, provide hardwood moulding and trim that can customize any residential or commercial space and give it value for years to come. Millwork in Phoenix can fit around your doors, windows, and more to cover bare areas and provide a sturdier surface. The best kinds of millwork can fit around any area, whether it is rigid and with corners or has curves like a circle. Base trims at the bottoms of walls and doors are useful in providing a special accent of taste, distinguishing the different components of a space, such as an entryway, the bulk of a wall between its top and bottom, and the outline of doors and windows. The sorts of transitions that this millwork creates from surface to surface, like from the floor to the wall or the wall to the ceiling, are smooth, seamless, and a lot easier on the eyes. Houses without any sort of millwork just look naked and bare, as if they have not yet been finished. The magic of millwork solves this problem with ease. Only the best producers create millwork that maximizes functionality with quality. Volterra Architectural Products, a manufacturer of fine millwork and moulding products in Phoenix, creates millwork of all kinds, providing base moulding, panel moulding, crown moulding, casing, and more for special touches to all houses. These expert producers create hardwood millwork in most any wood type, along with flexible moulding to match. To learn more about millwork in Phoenix, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.
Choose Moulding and Millwork for Revamping a House
When conducting a mass overhaul of the design of a house, the walls, floors, and ceilings are guaranteed to be torn apart for a brand new vision. Tile, wallpaper, paint, and more are all worthy additions to an abode that people will spend significant amounts of their lives in, but the smaller details should not go unnoticed either. Moulding and millwork add the finishing touches to walls, windows, and floors. The vacancies that plague these tiny areas are instantly closed with moulding. Moulding fits around the tops and bottoms of walls to create a subtle yet appealing contrast between the two, separating them with attractive distinction. This process creates clean and crisp lines of patterns across the casing and base, giving a room unique definition. Contractors who install millwork spare themselves the burden of having to find other ways to bridge the gaps between surfaces and any of the unsightly blemishes that might form there. Moulding can be subdued and to the point or adorned with eccentric designs for a more elaborate statement, all depending on the aim of the project. The bare skeleton of a house does not need to come equipped with any radical deviations in design to give the accessories a simpler task of adding depth. Special crown and base moulding do the job with simple installation. Best of all, these products are available in hundreds of different profiles and wood species from simple with little detail, like knotty wood grains, to intricately carved styles. Volterra Architectural Products offers moulding and millwork for any kind of home project imaginable. Armed with a vast catalog of crown moulding, base moulding, panel moulding, and casing, the right fit is bound to be found in these experts’ inventory. Choose a straight trim for a smooth and streamlined appearance, or opt for one of the more detailed curved designs to add whimsical character to the big picture. These architectural wizards have it all for trims that are efficient and attractive. To learn more about the moulding and millwork services offered by Volterra Architectural Products, call 602.258.7373 today.
Hardwood Moulding Fills in the Empty Spaces
A brand new house looks starkly naked, absent of desks, chairs, couches, beds, televisions, and more. The less obvious difference between an empty house and a decorated house is around the tops and bottoms of walls, doors, and windows. They are all missing any sort of moulding, a vital component of a complete house. Hardwood moulding is an essential accessory for subtle taste within a home. The initial appearance of a home makes the contrast between the floor and the wall, for example, look jarring and awkward, as if the finishing touch was just forgotten. Hardwood moulding fits across ceiling trims, door trims, floor trims, and baseboards. This might seem like a superfluous add-on to the practical homeowner, but the fact is that moulding provides a very clean, smooth, and easy transition between all surfaces of a home, resulting in a linear appearance that is easy to watch and follow along, resulting in symmetrical beauty. Moulding also provides an easy, suitable frame for windows. Instead of the wall just awkwardly pushing out to form a space for a window, the moulding will provide a clear, gentle passage between the two units. Volterra Architectural Products manufactures hardwood moulding to fit any kind of trim imaginable, whether it is long and narrow or short and wide. Providing crown moulding, base moulding, and panel moulding, these products come in a variety of special shapes that add spice and personality to the areas in which they are fitted. Some moulding profiles come in curved pieces that slope up and down throughout, while other styles are rigid and linear. These moulding pieces can be painted with dazzling colors of yellows, whites, or greens, or stained with almost any tone to accentuate the wood grain. To learn more about the usefulness of hardwood moulding, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.
Flex Moulding for Homes with Curved Architecture
Hardwood moulding is a popular fixture in many homes across the country. Applying moulding to homes is both practical and attractive, providing clean and smooth transitions from door to wall, floor to wall, wall to ceiling, and much more. Not all surfaces are rigid and in corners, however, and when your walls deviate from standard design to form curves and circular motions, a different approach must be taken. This is when flex moulding saves the day. Flex moulding has all of the same exact uses as hardwood moulding, but with an added bonus. This moulding is created to be true to its name, staying flexible and easy to bend for the sake of fitting around circular, oval, and arched places. Eccentric walls that curve at angles around the floors deserve special additions that will complement their unique features, and flexible moulding achieves this. This moulding is meant to be bent, pulled, and pushed for optimum effect. For the best possible moulding, look to Volterra Architectural Products, a business that specializes moulding and millwork. Their Volterra Flex™ line features trim moulding for all designs and application possibilities. It is created from a urethane resin material, which allows for the ultimate synergy between sturdiness and flexibility. These flexible moulding goods will last through extreme temperatures and wet climates, and they can be installed with ease. All Volterra Flex™ products are manufactured to complement any hardwood moulding profile or style. The unique curves of a house warrant special consideration to bring out their unique qualities, and flex moulding has the power to make it happen. Volterra’s special texture options make these materials all the more useful in beautifying your home, allowing customers to select from smooth surfaces that are ready for paint to wood grain surfaces meant to be stained for an authentic natural appearance. To learn more about how Volterra Flex™ can enhance the curved areas of your house, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.
What is the Difference Between a Corbel and a Bracket
What is the difference between a corbel and bracket?
If you are looking for a great way to add some character to your home, you should consider using decorative wood corbels or brackets. Both are most commonly used for exterior purposes, but many homeowners use them indoors as well to add to their existing décor.
At Volterra Architectural Products, we offer a wide selection of both corbels and brackets in different decorative wood types. These two unique architectural elements are very similar when it comes to decorative purposes, but there are some key differences that you should be aware of. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the differences between corbels and brackets so you can make an informed decision when choosing the right one for your project.
What Are Decorative Wood Corbels?
Corbels are a type of bracket that is used to support weight. They are often found in architecture where they are used to add visual interest or to conceal structural supports. Decorative corbels, however, are not load-bearing and are purely for aesthetic purposes. Inside, they can be used to add a decorative touch to an archway, fireplace mantel, or in another area of your home. Outside, they can be used to add visual interest to porch ceilings, gables, or other areas of your home.
Decorative wood corbels are made of high density foam and are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and wood types. You can find them with intricate designs or more simple and modern ones to fit your taste. At Volterra, we offer three different types of decorative wood for our corbels: Doug Fir, Rough Sawn, and Majestic.
What Are Decorative Wood Brackets?
Brackets are used to support weight in a similar way to corbels, but they are typically less decorative. They are most commonly used in exterior applications, such as supporting a porch roof or gable. They can also be used inside to support countertops or other heavy objects. Like corbels, decorative wood brackets are made of high density foam and are not intended to be used for load-bearing purposes. Instead, they are used to add visual interest to the interior or exterior of your home.
There is a wide selection of brackets available in different shapes, sizes, and wood types. At Volterra, we offer two different types of decorative wood for our brackets: Doug Fir and Rough Sawn.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Two?
In structural applications, corbels are more decorative than brackets and are often used to conceal supports. Brackets, on the other hand, are less decorative and are almost exclusively used in exterior applications. When it comes to decorative purposes, corbels and brackets can be used interchangeably. The main difference is in the shape of the two. Volterra’s faux wood corbels and brackets have many similarities — they are manufactured with the same high-quality urethane material, are lightweight and easy to install, and are virtually maintenance-free.
If you are looking to add some character to your home, decorative wood corbels and brackets are a great way to do it. Both make it easy to add a touch of wood to your interior or exterior décor, and with our wide selection of shapes, sizes, and wood types, you are sure to find the perfect one for your project. Visit Volterra Architectural Products today to get started.