If you’re preparing to construct a custom home in the near future, you may have to choose between using solid beams or box beams (known as wrapped beams) in certain areas. Here are a few things to think about.

Consider the Design Aesthetic

Solid beams can be specified with no seams to give a rustic, antiqued appearance or a more streamlined, transitional look. A significant benefit of using solid beams in large rooms is that you won’t see a single seam. Box beams are suited for interior trimming in rooms with large beams. They are composed of planks that range from 14 to 16 feet long and are connected by a timber/beam producer or trim carpenter. While a very skilled carpenter and painter can carefully conceal the seam by matching the grain and color, the seam is frequently noticeable if you look closely. The mitered seam should, however, be able to be fully concealed if you use an experienced, high-quality manufacturer or carpenter.

Box beams are often used in more transitional, clean-lined design styles. They are also a popular choice when you want the finished beam to be painted rather than stained, as you do not have to match graining and can therefore choose a less costly wood species. Although there are usually no cost savings when choosing box beams over solid beams for an antiqued, hand-hewn look, this is not always the case. When designing a custom home from scratch, people who desire ancient-looking beams usually select solid.

Use

Douglas Fir is the most well-known species of solid timber for its structural strength. Because existing structures were not engineered to support the additional weight of solid timbers, solid beams are unavailable in renovations or remodels. Box beams are decorative only and never structural. Solid beams, however, may be either decorative or functional. Box beams may be custom milled to match solid beams in certain situations. Structure components like steel I-beams or Glulam may be wrapped in box beams in certain situations. This is also helpful when plumbing and electrical chases must be concealed within a particular beam.

Examining the Cost

When it comes to interior decorative beams, the most economical choice is to go with painted box beams. If you want a stained beam, seek out box beams built by a skilled trim carpenter, but consult with your custom builder to ensure that they’re correctly mitering edges and masking seams. If you’re seeking a rustic, antiqued aesthetic, your best choice is to select solid timbers, even though they are the most costly.

Considerations Moving Forward

The best way to decide whether to use box beams or solid timbers for your custom home is to consult your architect, interior designer, and custom builder. Your custom builder will be able to provide you with pricing and availability information for solid timbers and wrapped beam planking, as well as information on whether or not the trim carpenters can provide a solid beam “look” in a box beam application. You and your family should seek out and rely on a custom builder that is a trusted resource, advisor, and advocate throughout this process.