Build A Decorative Beam In A Cathedral Ceiling

Ceiling beams add distinction and detail to the upper portion of rooms.

Decorative beams add architectural detail to high cathedral ceilings. Beams may be used to make cathedral ceilings look lower, so rooms feel more cozy and intimate. Decorative beams are not load-bearing, and they will not cause structural damage when they are added or removed, so you needn't get a building permit to install them inside your home. Building a decorative beam takes precision and care, but with exact measurements and the right materials it is a relatively straightforward DIY project.

Instructions

1. Locate the studs in your wall with a stud finder. If you are using a solid piece of wood to fashion the beam, you will need to anchor each endpoint to a stud so it will stay in position. Mark where you will place the beam, based upon the location of the studs, with a pencil.

2. Measure the exact area where the beam will be placed, from endpoint to endpoint, with a tape measure. You may need to use a ladder or chair to reach the ceiling; if so, have a second person keep the ladder or chair stable while you measure.

3. Mark the area where you plan to place the beam with blue painter's tape.

4. Place a piece of 2-by-4 lumber on level, sturdy sawhorses or a worktable where the lumber will be solidly positioned.

5. Measure the wood and mark the length you need using a pencil, so you know where to make your cuts.

6. Saw each end of the wood to size the beam to the right length based upon the measurements you took. The beam should be approximately 1 inch shorter than the length you measured.

7. Place joist hangers on the walls where the ends of the beam will be positioned. The joist hangers must be at least 3 inches below the seam of the wall and the ceiling so you have room to manipulate the beam above the hangers. The U-shaped joist hangers should be positioned so the bottom of the U is level with the floor; the arms of the U will be pointed at the ceiling. Use a screwdriver to screw the joist hangers into the wall.

8. Slide the end of the beam into position on one joist hanger, then the other. Depending on the length of the beam, you may need additional help to position the wood.

9. Screw the beam into position with a screwdriver.

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