Taylor HoltThe choice of whether to use solid beams or box beams (also known as wrapped beams) in specific feature rooms throughout your home will likely come up if you plan to build a bespoke home in the future. Here are a few things to think about while making this choice.
Aesthetic
You can decide whether you want a clean-lined, more transitional design or a rustic, antiqued appearance with substantial beams. The fact that there will never be a seam anywhere is one of the main benefits of employing solid beams in situations that require extremely long beams. Using box beams, a timber/beam manufacturer or trim carpenter must assemble boards that normally measure up to 14′ to 16′ in length and are only available in specific lengths. The seam can be properly concealed by a very competent carpenter and painter by matching the grain and staining, but if you look closely, the seam is typically still noticeable. If you’re working with a skilled, high-quality maker or carpenter, however, the mitered edge seams should be able to be totally covered.
Box beams typically work better with a more transitional, clean-lined design ethos. Also, because you can choose a more affordable wood species and avoid having to match the graining, they are the ideal beam when you want the finished beam to be painted rather than stained. There are typically no financial benefits to selecting box beams over solid beams if you want to create an aged, hand-hewn appearance. Those who desire beams that look old-fashioned typically choose solid when constructing or building a custom home from the ground up.
Application
As a result of the existing structure’s inability to hold the additional weight of solid timbers, solid beams are frequently not an option for remodeling or renovation projects. Box beams can be used in the majority of renovations because they are simply cosmetic and never structural. Yet solid beams can be either aesthetically pleasing or functional. The solid timber variety best renowned for its structural toughness is Douglas Fir. Box beams can occasionally be custom-milled to match solid beams in order to surround structural elements like a steel I-beam or Glulam. When plumbing or electrical chases need to be hidden inside a specific beam, this is also helpful.
Box beams should only be used indoors, but solid beams can be used both inside and outside, especially in humid climates like Houston, Texas. Box beams may expand, cup, or separate at their ends and edges as a result of fluctuations in temperature and humidity in Houston’s humid climate.
Price
Painting box beams are the most cost-effective option for decorative interior beams. If you prefer stained, you can still save money by choosing box beams made by a talented trim carpenter, but be sure to check with your custom builder to make sure they are very proficient at mitering corners and effectively masking seams. Even though solid wood is one of the more expensive options for beams, it is your best alternative if you’re going for a rustic aged vibe.
It is best to consult your architect, interior designer, and custom builder when deciding between solid beams and box beams for your custom home. Your custom builder can provide you advice on the cost and availability of solid timbers and wrapped beam planking, as well as on their trim carpenters’ ability to create a solid beam “appearance” in a box beam application. As is frequently the case, your preferred custom builder ought to be a reliable source, counsel, and champion for you and your family during this process.