Exposed beam ceilings add charm and character to a room.
Exposed , once relegated to barns and log cabins, are now commonly seen in many homes. If you have ceilings that are over 8 feet tall, you can install exposed beams. While you can purchase them pre-finished, they are not difficult to make, and this is a more economical approach. You will need to decide what type of wood you want to use. Common choices are oak or pine. Make sure to order boards that are longer than the width of your ceiling to avoid having to install more than one board in a row.
Instructions
1. Measure the length or width of the ceiling with a measuring tape. Decide how you want your beams to run and measure the length from one side of the ceiling to the other.
2. Make a cut line on each board with a pencil. Measure out the desired length for each board and trace a line where they will be cut.
3. Cut the wood to fit with a circular saw. Feed the wood through the saw, after putting the blade guard down, along the cut line you made.
4. Sand the wood with a fine-grit sanding block. This will prepare the surface of the wood to accept the wood stain. Wipe off all the dust before proceeding.
5. Stain the wood with wood stain and a paintbrush. Brush on the desired color of wood stain. Go with the grain of the wood. Let this dry for four to six hours. Rough up the surface slightly with the sanding block.
6. Protect the beams with a clear coat of polyurethane. Choose a non-yellowing polyurethane. Brush it on with the grain of the wood. Let this set for at least eight hours before installing the beams on the ceiling.
Tags: wood stain, wood with, beam ceilings, , Exposed beam