Ceiling Beams, Selecting A Material

SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE MATERIAL

AIC Millworks offers ceiling beams in both high-density polyurethane (faux beams) and real wood (box beams) . If you are open to both materials, then select your ceiling beam by style. If you prefer one material over the other, then make your selection to narrow down the available options.

Have you decided to use real wood, but not sure which species to use? AIC Millworks offers many of the finest hardwoods for your ceiling beam project. We are careful to select only the clearest kiln-dried lumber for our products, minimizing the presence of mineral stains, sapwood, knots and other natural defects inherent in wood.

In deciding which wood species to use, the first question to ask is whether you plan on painting or staining the ceiling beams. If painting, the choice is easy... choose poplar. Poplar is the most economical choice in hardwoods and paints very well.

Have you decided to stain the project? Great choice! Staining allows one to obtain the color of choice while still enjoying the natural beauty of wood.

Now that you have decided to stain your ceiling beams, the next question is to decide if you are looking to showcase the beauty of a particular wood species by applying a light toner and/or clear coat. Or perhaps you are wanting to match some existing woodwork in your home. If so, you will find a wide selection of wood to choose from; if you do not find the particular wood species that you need, contact us for a customized quote.

Just looking for a particular color and do not have a definite need or desire for one species versus the other? If so, we recommend the use of maple, oak and even poplar. Each are economical stain-grade choices as they accept stain very well.

Maple has a tight, closed grain and is most commonly used to imitate cherry and walnut, though any color can be applied. Oak has a very distinct coarse, open grain and is usually stained golden or just clear coated. Poplar, because of the higher mineral stains, is more ideal for dark stains. Each species allows you to achieve the color of preference while appreciating the natural beauty of wood.

Aside from high-density polyurethane used in faux beams, we offer the following lumber selection for wood beams. Browse the selections below for more detailed information. If you do not see the species that you need, please contact AIC MIllworks for a quote.

High-Density Polyurethane
High-Density polyurethane is an expanded polyurethane foam (not EPS or Styrofoam) possessing remarkable strength, rigidity and durability. Polyurethane has a closed cell structure which imparts its maintenance free properties- does not absorb water and resists both insects and decay. It may be finished with the water/oil based coating of choice. The average density is similar to that of white pine. Crisp details are achieved when the polyurethane is injected into encased moulds of handcrafted products.

Oak
Color: White cream to pale brown, tinted with red.
Grain: The grain is distinguished by rays.

Maple
Color: Cream to light reddish-brown.
Grain: Usually straight-grained and sometimes figured.

Cherry
Color: Rich, reddish-brown.
Grain: Straight-grained and satiny with distinctive markings.

Alder
Color: Pale pinkish-brown to almost white.
Grain: No distinct grain pattern.

Mahogany
Color: Pale tan to deep red or deep golden brown.
Grain: Generally straight grained with stripes.

Hickory
Color: White to tan to reddish-brown with inconspicuous fine brown lines.
Grain: Fine grain.

Poplar
Color: White/yellowish cast, occasionally greenish with dark purplish streaks.
Grain: Straight evenly textured.