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Building a Home Design Dilemma

Faux beams or naux?

3 years ago

Building a house, and I love the aesthetics of the wood beams on the ceiling. But I just can't stand the thought of a beam that's not used for structural purposes. The builders I have talked to seem to think faux beams are just fine, but I want the real deal.

Is it more expensive to incorporate structural beams? Or are these builders just cutting corners?

Featured Answer

User

3 years ago

Build a post and beam house. And stop talking to tract builders.

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Comments (8)

erobertmorse
Original Author
3 years ago
Also, can the pros confirm?: Can a structural beam be placed over a door or window? Or does it need to be over a stud?
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It's not a dumb idea, but I suggest that you think about your goals. Do you want a quick and inexpensive fix? Do you want something that's going to pass the time test, i.e., more than five years? Faux beams could solve your problem, but they could also call attention to the problem if they look "faux," i.e., don't fit with your home's architecture or structural layout. You may need to consult with a professional designer for input, to help you make informed decisions about what to do. Good luck!
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The three beams are an attractive feature on your MCM home. Why would you think they are faux? Even if the one over the garage is faux to match the others on your home which I do not think are fake, the only way to cover the missing area is to reside or rebrick. They are part of the structure of your home. Can you describe your goal for the overall appearance of the home so that we can advise you accordingly?
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PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
3 years ago
Structural beams need to be supported down to the foundations. A door, window or other opening under one or both ends of a beam scream FAUX!
BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA
3 years ago
Yes, it's possible to have a structural beam over a door or window, BUT it needs to run to a structural post or wall that it can sit on. The beam cannot sit on the door.

That is a structural beam over the door ... it is supported by the structural post to the right and another to the left of the door (In the next room over).

Here, again, the beam goes across and is supported by the posts in the middle and to the left of the closed door and on the right side of the opening.

This is section of house is post and beam construction ... and the oak pegs are not decorative. Those are the floor joists, and the shiplap is the subfloor. You could chose to install a ceiling if that's too much beam.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
If you want ‘real’ beans you need a post and beam house. And a really different budget. In my master bedroom (in progress) the center beam is real (a giant lvl supporting the roof) and the other are fake.
erobertmorse
Original Author
3 years ago
Great info, y'all! So, post and beam does run more costly?
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
False beams are best when they are sizes and located as real beams, posts, and lintels would be.
BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA
3 years ago
Yes, post and beam is typically more expensive. It's less common, you need someone who specializes in post and beam, and it involves many, heavy beams getting put up, so pretty labor intensive, and the large posts and beams aren't cheap.

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