If you intend to build a bespoke home in the future, you might have to decide whether to use solid beams or box beams (also known as wrapped beams) in some feature spaces. Consider the following factors before making your decision.
Aesthetic
When employing solid beams, you have the option of a more transitional, clean-lined look or a rustic, antiqued appearance. One of the key advantages of using solid beams in applications that call for extremely long beams is the lack of any seams. Box beams must be assembled by a trim carpenter or timber/beam manufacturer using boards that are often only available in lengths between 14′ and 16′. Despite the fact that a skilled carpenter and painter can successfully hide the seam by matching the grain and staining it, if you look closely, the seam is usually still visible. The mitered edge seams, however, should be completely hidden if you’re working with a talented, high-quality builder or carpenter.
In general, more streamlined and transitional designs benefit from using box beams. They are also the beam of choice when you would rather the finished beam be painted rather than stained because you don’t have to match the graining and can choose a more affordable wood species. For a weathered, hand-hewn appearance, box beams often cost no less than solid beams. When building a home from the ground up or remodeling an existing one, those who want beams that look old frequently choose solid.
Application
Solid beams are frequently not an option in repairs or remodel since the existing building was not intended to withstand the added weight of solid timbers. Box beams are suitable for use in the majority of rehabilitation projects because they are only ornamental and never structural. Solid beams, however, might only be decorative or useful. For its tensile strength, Douglas Fir is the solid timber kind that is most well-known. In circumstances where they are used to encase structural materials like a steel I-beam or Glulam, box beams can be custom-milled to match solid beams. Also, if a particular beam must cover electrical or plumbing chases, this is advantageous.
The only place to employ box beams is inside, especially in humid regions (like Houston, Texas), whereas solid beams can be used both inside and outside. Due to temperature and moisture changes in Houston’s humid climate, box beam ends and edges could expand, cup, or detach.
Price
Painted box beams are the most economical choice when it comes to interior ornamental beams. If you’d prefer stained, you can still save money by choosing box beams produced by an expert trim carpenter, but be sure to check with your custom builder to make sure they have a lot of experience mitering edges and successfully masking seams. Solid oak beams are among the most expensive options, but they are your best option if you want to achieve a worn-in, rustic appearance.
While choosing between solid beams and box beams for your custom home, it is advisable to consult with your architect, interior designer, and custom builder. Your bespoke builder will be able to inform you of the price and availability of wrapped beam planking, solid timbers, and the capacity of their trim carpenters to produce a solid beam “look” in a box beam application. Your preferred custom builder needs to serve as a trustworthy resource, counselor, and champion for you and your family during this procedure, as is typically the case.
