If you’re looking for ideas to make your home stand out, decorative beams are a great way to add dimension and give your home a unique touch. And if you’re building from the ground up, you can plan for beams. Beams are long, exposed slabs of wood, usually attached to the ceiling of a room and are commonly found in farmhouses as well as hygge, lodge and cottage style homes.
Beams are also great for homes with high or vaulted ceilings, homes with dark trim and flooring and rustic homes. And as usual, your options for wooden beams are nearly endless with Johnson Brothers; from styles, species of wood, colors and even accessories, you have some decisions to make. Whether it’s a remodel or a new build, we’ll help you every step of the way.
Incorporating beams into your home not only gives your home an amazing facelift, but can also provide a level of structural support and other benefits that you can’t get by other means.
There are a number of different species to choose from, with a wide range in cost, strength and (today more than ever) availability. The most common species of wood for beams are white pine, red and white oak, Douglas fir, cypress, and cedar. Oak, although strong, tends to twist and crack over time, while Douglas fir is popular for its strength and durability. White pine, cypress, and cedar do not quite have the load capacity as Douglas fir, but tend to be more affordable. Once you have a species of wood selected for your project, you can narrow down what style best suits your needs.
There’s an endless variety of timber and beam designs for both the inside and outside of your home. Whether you want to mimic an existing design or go fully custom, the choice is yours. A few different styles of timber and beams include solid, boxed-in, hollow-core and faux beams. Solid wood delivers authenticity but can be extremely heavy. Salvaged wood, often recycled from old barns and homes can bring in a historic feel. Boxed wood, fashioned from three pieces of lumber can reduce weight and cost. Faux wood is a great choice for those with a lower budget who want a real wood look.
Decorative ceiling beams can be stained, left natural, or painted, all depending on the homeowners preference. You’ll want to choose a finish that complements current wood trim or flooring. The goal is a dramatic, cohesive look.
One last touch you can add to your wooden beams are accessories. You can skip this step, or you can take things to the next level. Accessories you might consider include brackets, plates, straps, light fixtures, or wooden shelves. Decorative brackets come in different sizes and styles and can further create a classic, elegant or contemporary look. Plates, straps and end caps add finishing touches. Hard-wired light fixtures can add complexity, but with proper planning almost anything is achievable. Or there are plenty of wireless options that can be incorporated. Lastly, pairing beams with natural wood shelves is another way to tie in your beams to the rest of your décor.
At Johnson Brothers, we sell everything from solid wood beams to wrapped beams, box beams, and faux beams in smooth or resawn textures; there’s truly an option for every budget. Thanks to our suppliers like Disdero and Fypon, we can proudly say all of our beams are made using sustainable foresting practices.
If you’re in the market for decorative wood beams, Johnson Brothers in Boise or Idaho Falls is the place to go. With an on-site mill, we are able to custom create any design you can imagine. Give us a call or visit one of our showrooms for information on beams for your next home improvement project.