Wooden beams offer beauty and elegance in residential and commercial settings.
In homes, wooden beams are rustic and charming. They draw attention to the structural elements of the home and establish a focal point that pulls the eye upward, creating a sense of space. In commercial settings, wooden beams create a sense of mood and ambiance.
Faux Beams vs. Solid Wood Beams
Often, wooden beams are too heavy and expensive for homeowners or business owners to install. Before you can decide between faux beams vs. solid wood beams, you must first know the pros and cons of each.
Pros and Cons of Faux Beams
The benefits offered when using faux beams include:
Low-maintenance. Faux beams do not need to be stained or painted; they retain the look of natural wood without any alteration.
Pest-free. Unlike solid wood, faux wood is not consumable by wood-eating pests.
Lightweight. Faux wood beams are lightweight enough that homeowners can lift them on their own.
Easy to install. They are designed for easy installation by homeowners who would like to save money on a contractor.
Useful. Due to their hollow interior, faux wood beams can be used to install new lighting fixtures while hiding unsightly wiring.
Easily customized to your home's style. Faux beams are made to mimic the look of solid wood and come in different colors and types, from light unfinished wood to dark walnut beams.
In very few applications, you may find some disadvantages of using faux beams:
Do not offer structural support. Faux beams are not designed to hold up a home or hold up anything heavy.
May not be appropriate in historic homes. In a historic home, installing a faux wood beam could change the appearance of the home in a way that might not be historically appropriate.
Pros and Cons of Solid Wood Beams
The advantages of using real wood beams may include:
Can provide structural support. Solid wood beams are strong and can provide enough support that they can stabilize a wall or even a foundation.
Natural beauty. Solid wood has true character, so it's beautiful to see and fun to admire.
Be aware of the drawbacks to choosing real wood, like:
Difficult to install. Very few homeowners would be prepared to install a solid wood beam on their own; they would need help from a contractor.
May require more maintenance. A solid wood beam may need to be re-stained or re-painted from time to time.
Vulnerable to wood-eating pests. Wood-eating pests are attracted to solid wood beams. This can become a dangerous situation, especially if the beam provides structural stability.
Expensive. Solid wood beams can be very expensive and cost prohibitive.
Faux Beams vs. Solid Wood Beams: Which Is Best?
Solid wooden beams are best when there is a need for real structural support. To offer support, the beam must be installed at the time of construction or must be integrated into the construction of the structure.
If you're building a home and would like your house to have visible wooden beams integrated into the interior, talk to your building contractor and structural engineer.
Installing solid wooden beams after the home has already been constructed may be very difficult. Installation after construction is complete would require help from a contractor who knows how to do the job safely, and without damaging the structure itself. That contractor may require additional help from other employees and specialized tools to attach the beam.
In an already existing home, faux beams are usually best. They're easy for homeowners to install, and they cost far less money. They're also the best option if the home needs no structural support.
The same is true of commercial businesses. Often, the best non-residential structures for wooden beams are places like restaurants, where the ambiance is a crucial part of the dining experience, and in churches. Wood is warm, comforting, and has the weight of tradition.
In existing commercial buildings, faux beams are easy and inexpensive to install. As in homes, they draw the eye upward and create a sense of loftiness. They can decorate a ceiling, or reinforce a sense of beauty in the structure.
Who Should Consider Faux Wood Beams?
Anyone involved in the construction or renovation of a home or building may consider faux beams for their structure. Even a newly built structure can benefit from faux wood beams if there is no need for structural wood.
Remember, faux wood is easier to maintain than solid wood. It does not need to be stained, and it is not vulnerable to wood-eating pests. For a homeowner or building owner who wants maintenance-free wood beams, faux is best.
Sophisticated & Affordable Faux Wood Beams
At AZ Faux, we provide high-quality faux wood beams to business owners and homeowners just like you. Our products are nearly indistinguishable from solid wood. They offer all the characteristics of solid wood, including texture, wood grain, warmth of character and bold, dark beauty. And, you'll never have to worry about wood pests or staining your beams.
AZ Faux is well rated by customers and prides itself on producing an easy-to-install product.
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