Skip to Content
Volterra Blog

Frequently Asked Questions About Faux Wood Beams

tuscany faux beams

Frequently Asked Questions About Faux Wood Beams


Scroll To FAQ

Faux wood beams are a great way of adding interest and architectural details to just about any space in your home. Not only can faux wood beams be more affordable than those manufactured with real wood, but they are also lighter, easier to install, more versatile, and more environmentally friendly, among other benefits.
rustic faux wood beam with dark walnut finish

At Volterra Architectural Products, we specialize in manufacturing the best faux wood beams and other polyurethane architectural details.

Utilizing molds from real pieces of wood and quality high-density foam material, we’re able to manufacture a wide selection of faux wood beams that replicate the appearance of natural wood — right down to the graining, knotting, and other fine details. Installation of these faux ceiling beams is a breeze and instantly adds dimension to your space.


Shop Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Faux Wood Beams

Faux ceiling and architectural beams are becoming more and more popular. People are adding them to their kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, outdoor living spaces, and even businesses. If you’re interested in browsing our selection of faux wood ceiling beams, click here. To learn more about our faux wood beams, continue reading as we answer the most frequently asked questions about our faux decorative beams.

What Are Faux Wood Beams Made Of?

At Volterra Architectural Products, we manufacture our faux wood beams using a high-density polyurethane foam (HDF) material. This material is lightweight, which makes them easy to install, yet they are still dense and durable.

Do Faux Beams Look Real?

Absolutely. Our faux wood beams are handcrafted using molds made from real wood beams. This allows our decorative beams to replicate the appearance of natural wood, right down to the grain. Our QuickShip faux wood beams are identical as they are poured monolithically as one piece — installers typically flip flop these beams so the texture pattern is alternated. We also offer custom beams that are truly unique, as each one may be slightly different from the other.

How Much Do Faux Wood Beams Cost?

The most popular sizes of Volterra faux wood beams range from $200 to $750 per beam. The cost of our faux wood beams is determined by the type of beam ordered, plus freight. Compared to the cost of real wood ceiling beams and the installation required, you can keep more money in your wallet by choosing faux wood beams.

Are Faux Wood Beams Durable?

Yes! Volterra’s faux wood beams are surprisingly dense and durable compared to natural wood when installed in areas such as the ceiling where they are not subjected to abuse. Unlike natural wood beams, faux wood beams will not warp, crack, fade, or rot. Artificial wood beams are virtually maintenance-free!

Are Faux Beams Easy to Install?

Installing faux beams is easy. Because our decorative beams are manufactured from a durable yet lightweight polyurethane material, the beams are extremely easy to handle and can be up on a ceiling in just a matter of hours. If you are handy and familiar with carpentry, you likely can install these beams without any issues. However, for the best results, we recommend working with a licensed contractor.

What Tools Are Needed for Installing Faux Wood Beams

You can install faux wood ceiling beams using a hand saw, drill, tape measure, and a pencil or marker. To learn more about the necessary tools and how to install faux wood beams, check out this video.

Can Faux Wood Beams Be Used Outside?

Yes, faux wood beams can be used both indoors and outdoors. Homeowners can add to the overall look and feel of their outdoor living spaces and covered patio by installing outdoor faux wood beams.

Are Faux Wood Trusses Suitable for Any Ceiling?

Along with decorative beams, Volterra’s faux wood trusses are a great way to enhance high ceilings. We offer decorative trusses for both flat and pitched ceilings.

Can Volterra Produce Custom Beams and Trusses?

Yes. In addition to our standard faux beams and decorative trusses, Volterra accepts custom orders. We have the capability to produce custom beams and trusses for projects of any size and specification.

How Much Do Faux Wood Beams Weigh?

Popular or standard sizes of our faux wood beams weigh 1–2 pounds per linear foot, which translates to about 10–40 pounds per beam. This is a considerable difference compared to real wood beams, which would likely weigh 600 pounds and take heavy equipment to install or even box beams which weigh significantly more than polyurethane foam beams.

Can Faux Wood Beams Be Used to Cover Existing Drywall Beams?

Yes, of course. Faux wood beams are a great way to cover structural glulam or drywall beams, unattractive wood beams, pipes, cords, or fixtures.

Does Volterra Install Faux Wood Beams?

As much as we are committed to providing our customers with the best service, Volterra Architectural Products is a manufacturer, and therefore, we are not involved in any way with installation. We recommended working with a licensed contractor for the best results.

Can Volterra Provide Technical Help for Faux Wood Beam Orders?

Our website (www.volterraproducts.com) offers installation videos, documents, resources, and other technical data for each of our products. If you are working with a professional installer they will be able to provide you with design advice and installation recommendations. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, our beam specialists will be happy to assist — just give our team a call.

Does Volterra Manufacture Real Wood Beams?

Yes! In addition to our wide selection of faux wood beams, Volterra manufactures natural hardwood and softwood box beams in almost any species desired. Click here to learn more.


Shop Our Faux Wood Beams Today!

Shop Now

Have Further Questions About Our Faux Wood Beams?

If you were unable to find answers to your questions about our faux wood beams, contact Volterra Architectural Products at (602) 258-7373. Our beam specialists will be happy to assist you.

Scroll To FAQ

Back to blog