Tag: decorative ceiling beams

Add Rustic Accents with a Faux Truss

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Decorative Styles that Benefit from a Faux Truss Decorative wood beams can add continuity to a design scheme and reinforce a certain architectural style. This is especially true for certain designs that have a rustic flavor. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Farmhouse: The ultimate in rustic accessibility, this style is extremely popular in the US, where functional yet prosperous farmhouse style buildings were the norm during our developmental years. A farmhouse style building has many charming decorative elements, from warm wooden tones to functional exposed shelving and deep farmhouse style sinks. Faux wooden beams in a farmhouse style building aren’t often as grand and ostentatious as other styles. Instead, exposed beams might be flush against a flat ceiling, or stained with light, rustic colors to lend the appearance of age and comfort.
  • Lodge: This style is popular in western cabins that want large picture windows and vaulted ceilings to bring the outside in. Tall pitched ceilings keep snow buildup from adding pressure on the roof, and add visual interest to an open interior. Often, a faux truss will add dimension to a large common room and stand out with strong color contrast and intricate lines.
  • Pueblo Revival: Popular in arid regions of the southwest, these homes often feature wooden posts that span a flat ceiling and protrude on either side to add ornamental elements to a plain, rounded-corner facade seamlessly blending into the desert surroundings. Often, these faux trusses are strictly decorative, but have dark contrast with the neutral whites and beiges of the pueblo revival style.
  • Traditional Scandinavian: If you’re ready to take the “lodge” aesthetic one step further, consider looking into traditional scandinavian styles. The ancestral longhouses of viking times provide the blueprint for long vaulted chambers that housed entire villages. Oftentimes, this style is accented with exposed wooden beams in the facade as well.
Volterra has beautiful faux truss systems that add visual interest to any style home. Browse our available truss systems here, and contact us to learn more.]]>

Some FAQs About Engineered Wood Beams

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Discover the essentials of engineered wood beams, a modern alternative to traditional lumber, in our comprehensive FAQ guide. Learn about their composition, strength, eco-friendliness, and aesthetic appeal to make an informed decision for your construction projects.

What is Engineered Wood Made Of?

Engineered wood beams offer a high-strength, versatile alternative to solid wood. Comprising multiple wood layers bonded with adhesives, this material encompasses a variety of products like laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and glulam. These technologies allow for larger, customizable sizes beyond what solid wood can offer, combining durability with flexibility in design.

How Does Its Strength Compare to Natural Wood?

The strength of engineered wood beams can surpass that of many natural woods, particularly in moisture resistance and load-bearing capacity. This performance advantage is due to its engineered structure, providing reliability and stability where traditional wood might falter.

Is Engineered Wood Eco-friendly?

Contrary to initial assumptions, engineered wood beams represent a sustainable choice. Their production maximizes the use of harvested wood, reducing waste and the number of trees needed for construction projects. Furthermore, the use of low-toxicity adhesives minimizes environmental impact, aligning with increasing customer demand for sustainable building materials.

Aesthetic Possibilities with Engineered Wood

Engineered wood beams are not just about strength and sustainability; they also offer diverse aesthetic options. With the capability to mimic the appearance of exotic hardwoods without the associated cost or environmental toll, engineered wood provides an attractive and practical solution for achieving desired design outcomes.

Engineered wood beams present a compelling option for those seeking a balance between aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, and environmental responsibility. With their ability to emulate the beauty of natural woods while offering superior performance and sustainability, they stand out as a smart choice for modern construction needs. Interested in exploring engineered wood beams for your project? Contact Volterra Architectural Products today to learn more about how these innovative solutions can elevate your next project.

Eye-Catching Ceiling Design Ideas

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Beams One of the most popular ceiling design ideas is adding beams to transform a flat ceiling into a dynamic three-dimensional element. Adding faux wood beams can mimic the look of exposed beams and transform a basic room into a unique architectural space. 

Planks

Planks add visual interest to ceiling design ideas without making your space feel too cluttered, and they come in a range of colors and textures that suit any aesthetic. One recent popular trend is shiplap effects. Normally found on exteriors of buildings such as barns and sheds, when used in interior spaces, these planks create a cozy, rustic feel. 

Trusses

Truss systems are one of the most striking ceiling design ideas, especially in large spaces with high ceilings. These multi-beam frameworks fill the empty space beneath your ceiling with intriguing angular elements, and emphasize the size of your room by drawing the eye upward.  These ceiling design ideas are just a few starting points to spark ideas for exciting updates to your interiors. Volterra Architectural Products offers a wide range of faux wood products that make it easy to explore and execute new ceiling design ideas. Check out their gallery to explore your options or give them a call at 602-253-7373.]]>

Finish Your Bathroom Redesign With Volterra

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Crown Mouldings Crown mouldings add elegance to any bathroom redesign. Not only do mouldings make a bathroom appear more refined, but they also add visual interest to walls that may be bland or bare.  

Shutters

Many bathroom redesign projects seek to create a space that feels private but not cramped or closed-off. Adding shutters to your bathroom windows creates an additional layer of privacy without cutting off natural light.  

Window and Door Trim

Like crown mouldings, window and door trims make rooms feel more elegant and finished. Incorporating trims that are similar to the architectural products you already have in other rooms can lead to a bathroom redesign that ties your whole home aesthetic together.  

Ceiling Beams

Adding ceiling beams can be an exciting bathroom redesign project for expansive spaces or attic bathrooms — especially if you love a rustic or traditional design aesthetic. Faux wood beams replicate the look of natural wood with less maintenance and greater durability.   Volterra Architectural Products offers a wide range of architectural products that can help you create the unique, luxurious bathroom redesign of your dreams. With mouldings, shutters, trims, and beams for any size space, Volterra can help you create a bathroom aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the rest of your home. For redesign ideas for any room of your house, visit their online gallery.]]>

Dress Up your Vaulted Ceiling with Beams

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Give the Room Definition While vaulted ceilings make rooms feel large and airy, they do pose one problem. If they are left blank, the ceiling can reach a point where it becomes hard to see clear lines. This can make the room feel empty, instead of achieving the inviting look you were going for. Enhancing your vaulted ceiling with beams can clearly help the peak of the vault and create direction and warmth in the room.  

Add Trusses

If your space still feels empty after adding beams, you can go one step further by adding trusses. Faux wood trusses come in many varieties, including partial trusses that attach along the walls and up part of the ceiling. These products are easy to install and add an extra touch of flair to a room that already has a vaulted ceiling with beams in place. Beautiful arched trusses can give your home that iconic cathedral look.  

Bring Back the History

Vaulted ceilings with beams are very popular in historic homes. If you are trying to renovate your home to bring back some of its original character and charm, ceiling beams are a useful option. Exposed ceiling beams were very common in construction for decades, and only recently have homeowners begun covering them. Whether you’re creating a rustic space or something more classic, a vaulted ceiling with beams can complete the look.   For more information about selecting faux wood ceiling beams and trusses for your home, contact Volterra today. We have a huge selection of truss styles and beam sizes to create the perfect look for your vaulted ceilings.]]>

Faux Truss Installation Tips from Volterra

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Know How Many Beams You Need While the design of your trusses is ultimately up to you, most installations space trusses about 4-6’ away from one another. In addition, some people like to have an end cap truss at each end of the room, although this is not strictly necessary. You may need to measure your room to determine how much spacing will look appropriate and use blue painter’s tape to mark the locations so you can visualize where the trusses will be.

Use Blocks of Wood to Secure Your Beams to the Ceiling

Since the center of your beams are hollowed out, all you need to do is secure a small block of wood to your ceiling every 12-18” along the line where your beam will be placed to support the beam. The block of wood can be installed using long screws, and you can slide your faux beams directly over the block and secure them with shorter screws. Just make sure not to overdo the screws through the faux wood to prevent causing cracks.

Don’t Forget to Cover Edges

If you have to make any cuts to your faux trusses and beams, you will want to make sure the edges are covered. Pick up a little bit of extra stain for paint that matches the shade of your trusses to cover any raw edges. This should only take a few minutes, and won’t be highly visible to most people, but you don’t want any unfinished surfaces to stick out like a sore thumb. The hardest part of installing faux trusses is deciding exactly where you want the beams to fall. Once you have it laid out with tape, it should take no time at all to secure mounting blocks to the ceiling and install your brand new faux trusses over them. For inspiration and installation tips, visit Volterra Architectural Products online or speak to one of our team members today.]]>

How to Overlap Hollow Beams

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beams can be a bit challenging if you are not used to working in all dimensions or if you’re worried about cutting in the wrong place. Fortunately, hollow beams are extremely easy to overlap with a few simple tools.

When to Overlap Beams

Interior designers and contractors alike are getting more creative with their ceiling beam designs these days, often creating patterns that involve boxes and grids at differing heights. These designs offer a complex, elegant look, but it also takes some planning ahead to get them right. If your pattern involves beams that cross, you will need to have a plan to either overlap them or cut them to fit the intended space.

Use Eye Bolts and Safety Cable 

If you don’t think you can notch your beams out accurately enough to fit together, the next best  solution involves using eyebolts and safety cables to achieve the grid look you’re going for. Using a hole saw, you can create a small hole in the beam closest to the ceiling wherever there is a block of wood supporting it. Then you can install an eye bolt in that support and loop a strand of safety cable through the bolt. Next, secure your second hollow beam to a block of wood in the space and install another eyebolt facing upward. When you lift the beam into place, all you have to do is loop the safety cable from above through the lower beam’s eye bolt and clamp it down. Now the beam is suspended tightly against the upper beam. When it comes to creating complex layered grid patterns on a ceiling, hollow beams are significantly easier to work with than real wood. They are lighter weight and they offer more flexibility with the placement of eye bolts for securing additional layers as you go. For more information about hollow beams, contact Volterra Architectural Products on our website or call us at 602-258-7373.]]>

Influences on Today’s Interior Design

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architecture. Some of the earliest influencers can still be seen in our homes today, from the placement of our windows to the colors that we use together. Here are some of the biggest influences we see today:

Americana 

The Americana style is a revision of an early 18th century style known as Adam. Americana continues to be popular, bringing natural wood cabin looks into modern living spaces. You will see designed with the help of wood beams and planks throughout the home, accented by traditional copper fixtures that blend into the look seamlessly. Ornamented with rustic art, Americana styled homes can be found across the US.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau was popular in the early 1900’s, pulling ideas from natural structures. Builders and designers hoped to mimic the miracle of design that happens in nature. This can be seen with some of the more whimsical fixtures and structures that look like interwoven tree branches, or buildings featuring a-symmetrical spaces.

Art Deco

Interior design underwent a major change following the first World War. Due to changes in the economy and lifestyles of people around the world, home design became more of a practical matter than an aesthetic one. Art Deco was characterized by long, clean lines and fluid movement between the pieces of a home. Much of today’s minimalist design calls upon principles of art deco to organize spaces.

Modern

Now we are looking at a whole new era of modern design that continues to change the way we think of space. We have seen a resurgence of open-concept builds that welcome sunlight in and help us feel connected to nature. These designs are often accented by using wood-looks to bring pieces of the outdoors inside and blur the line between our living spaces. All of these influences continue to play a part in design today. Volterra Architectural Products has a portfolio full of examples of these design elements in play with our very own faux wood products. You can see for yourself how you can create a perfect visual based on your favorite design themes and styles by calling us at 602-253-7373.]]>

Give Your Restaurant Design a Makeover

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faux wood beams and planks, you can change up your restaurant design to meet this trend. Here are few ideas for improving the look of your restaurant both inside and out.

Create a Dreamy Patio Space

Patio spaces are highly desirable for restaurant guests these days. They offer an opportunity to enjoy some sunshine while sharing a meal with friends. However, most guests prefer a patio that is partially covered to a completely open patio. With faux wood beams  you can dress your patio space up with grand pergolas that look super modern or you can go for something that is more rustic and authentic.

Wood Ceiling Designs

Captivate your guests with an exotic wood ceiling design that makes the room glow. Faux wood planks and beams can be used to create a range of intricate patterns that draw the eye upward. When used with recessed lighting, you can give your restaurant space a warm, welcoming feel that radiates elegance. Choose beams in a variety of different colors and patterns, including regal moulded shapes that look like they were hand carved by master woodworkers.

Accent Walls

Change up your wall spaces with interesting textured planks featuring looks like reclaimed barn wood and more. You can easily create an eye-catching pattern on a section of wall that breaks up paint colors. The planks are easy to mount to the wall and they feel real to the touch so your guests will never know the difference! Volterra Architectural Products offers a range of faux wood products that can give  your restaurant space a whole new look. Whether you are hoping to renovate inside or out, our products are durable and easy to use. Their lightweight foam makes it possible to create complex designs without struggling under the weight of real wood beams. Visit our catalog online today to see our full collection and get ideas from our portfolio. For more information, contact us at 602-253-7373.  ]]>

3 Tips To Make Small Space Living Seem Bigger

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Add Depth To Your Ceiling One of the best ways to make a small space living area look bigger is to add that something extra to your ceiling space.  It can be a new coat of paint that is a different color than the walls or: – Wood Planks:  They add that extra style and depth you need to make a room look bigger.  Planks come in a variety of colors to choose from. – Beams:  Faux wood beams are lighter than regular beams and easily self-install.  These beams can also add depth to a ceiling and are u-shaped and hollow, which means you can hide any unsightly wires or pipes. – Truss Systems:  If you have a high ceiling these decorative systems will really work well for you.  These range from  basic design styles such as Huntsman to more complex designs like Hawkeye.

Add Texture To The Walls

Another great way to make a small space living area look larger is to add depth to the four walls of the room.  You can do this pretty easily with paint, but paint won’t add texture on its own.  Instead, try: – Textured wallpaper – Plain colored paint with decorative panels – Or both!

Add Height To The Room

Lastly, a really nice way to trick your eyes into thinking the space is bigger than it really is: add some height to the room.  This can be as easy as adding some tall flowers to vases or tall interior trees and placing them in pots around the space.  But, you can also use mantels to create shelving up high.  While mantels are primarily for fireplaces, they, as well as any other wood you can get your hands on, work really well for bookcases and it helps draw the eyes upward which in turn makes the room seem bigger than it actually is. To learn more about how Volterra Architectural Products can help you with your interior needs, contact us at 602-253-7373.  ]]>