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Installing Faux Wooden Beams - Second Part

The first part of Installing Faux Wooden Beams was all about placing the supports on the ceiling.  If you haven't checked out that post, click HERE for all the info about that.   This is how it looked after two days of work:
slanted ceiling with 2 x 4 in place


Today I'm going to focus on the big, wide beam that I wanted to install at the very top of the slanted ceiling.
That beam was the one that gave us the most trouble because as I said, it was BIG (heavy) and the ceiling was way too high.

It needed to be 18" wide x 12' long.  Since there is no material in that width, I had to buy a whole ½" Plywood sheet, which was ripped at the lumber yard to the width I wanted (18'').  I got 2 pieces 18"W x 8'L.

Both pieces were cut at a 45° angle (Like when you are attaching two pieces of fabric, it always looks better when done in the diagonal), and to size, 12'.

Glue was applied to both ends and then both pieces were nailed to 2x2 supports on the back (picture below).




More 2x2 supports were nailed as seen in the picture.



I decided to add lights to this beam, after all, it's the highest and I had the space inside the beam to accommodate small can lights.



The three circles were marked.


And cut out.  Cutting these small circles gave me the confidence to go and cut the letters for the PB inspired Love Plaque.  Remnants of this same material were used for that.



With the holes for the lights ready, it was time to attach the side boards (1 x 6s), on both sides.



I wanted the beams to have a small "reveal", where the sides protrude a bit from the bottom panel.  To do that, small samples of ¼" plywood were taped along the side. So as I was nailing the boards together, the 1x6s were kept flush to that sample.



When both sides were nailed down, this is how it looked:



After connecting the lights and caulking all those nail holes, the whole piece was ready to be installed.



Up there!  That was the worst part of this whole project!  For me that thing was H-E-A-V-Y!  The first time we tried to bring it up, it didn't fit, a bit to long on one side, so it went down to be cut just a tiny bit with the circular saw.   To help myself, I screwed that temporary support on the wall so I could rest that beast onto it.



The second time it fitted nicely along both 2x4's.   It was heavily nailed to the 2x4 supports on both sides.  To be sure it stays up there, two 3"screws were driven on that same line on both sides, just behind each of the beams that go perpendicular to it, that way they cannot be seen later on.



At the end of the day I was so please to check this part off my list!


I thought about making this beam out of Sheetrock, framing that high part and then covering it with the Sheetrock, but I simply didn't want it looking like a soffit.
As I always tell you, I am not a professional, I'm simply a home owner trying to update her home.  Do you have any other ideas how this could have been done? I would love to hear about that in the comments section.

I still need to fish the light's cable from the attic to one of the walls, that's going to be done in a couple of weeks. ;)

Next is reveal time, see you soon!


Click HERE for the final part.
For the First Part Click HERE.




23 comments :

  1. Unbelievable! It is really starting to take shape.
    Cheers.

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  2. I told my husband that I am blown away by the projects you can churn out.

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  3. Wow, Christina, that IS impressing! You are very good with your tools and I say this with the utmost admiration for this kind of skills. I love the incorporated lights, it will do wonders to the mood of the rooms!

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  4. So awesome! I love seeing your progress on the ceiling. It is a lot of work, but will be totally worth it in the end. Can't wait to see how amazing it turns out!

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  5. Wow! I love seeing this coming together. Can't wait to see more!

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  6. Cristina eres una gran maestra . Estoy fascinada con tus trabajos y tutoriales !!!
    Cariños
    Angelica

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  7. Amazing. What a project to undertake.

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  8. Visiting from FJI. What an undertaking! Good for you for taking such an impressive DIY leap. Continued success!

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  9. That is so cool that you are doing that with the beams as I am in the process of figuring out how to add some pot lights in a fake beam across my ceiling! My beam will be stained, is yours remaining painted? I also wanted to run some beams perpendicular but hubby doesn't like that idea. Anyway, very cool, I'll keep watching!

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  10. Speechless! What a feat to get that monster up there successfully! Go, Cristina!

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  11. Wow, what a project... you're impressive with your DIY skills! I wish I were that comfortable using power tools. :)

    It's going to look so beautiful when finished and make such a difference adding character to the room. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  12. It's amazing the thing you undertake!! I'd love to have you share this at my What to do Weekends party - maybe this could be done in a weekend? It's a big project and it came out great and YOU DID IT? Amazing! I think I wouldn't get to do these things because power tools scare me a little. Anyway, happy weekend and I hope you can come share something amazing with us. Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/01/sweet-and-wonderful-friends-its-time.html

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  13. Cristina, I think I've said this before, but you are a SUPERSTAR! I'm so impressed with the projects you are able to tackle. Not to mention that you look so cute with the power tools. ;) This is going to be such an amazing transformation. Keep up the great work!!

    Debbie

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  14. Cristina, you are the coolest! Every project you have done looks like a million bucks! I also love how you tackle projects with no fear. If I would have got stuck in my attic I would have thrown my hands up in the air. Your determination is contagious and it makes me want to go build something! I can't wait to see this finished project.

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  15. Amazing! I always watch projects like this on DIY Network or HGTV and think about it, but haven't gotten the nerve... you are a warrior and I'm SO impressed!
    -Patti

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  16. It looks really good! Adds so much to the room. One thing that newer homes are lacking are character of beams, builtins, molding, etc. unless you are willing to pay the price tag. It is a great post!

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  17. Seriously, is there anything you can't do? You blow me away! I can't wait to see the big reveal!

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  18. I'm really looking forward to the next post. This continues to be so impressive!

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  19. You are one tough cookie for being such a little thing...and that was a MONSTER! I remember when hubby and me lifted the roof on our second story remodel we did ourselves...don't know how we did it! This was a major undertaking and I can't wait to see it done! Great job!
    Hugs,
    Pendra

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  20. This is crazy amazing! I can't wait to see the finished product!! Would love for you to share at the party tonight! xo bridgett

    http://www.osiemoats.com/2012/07/thursday-linky-party-1.html

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  21. we have a huge vaulted ceiling that i would looove to put faux beams in. can't wait to hear more about your process!

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  22. I can't believe you and your husband were able to get that huge piece up there by standing on tables! Or did you use ladders? My husband and I installed sheet rock in an unfinished room in our basement last week, and those things were HEAVY and they didn't even have a wooden frame or lights behind them the way yours did, nor did we have to lift them straight up to the ceiling! I have so much admiration for you guys! Can't wait to see how the rest of this project looks finished. -- Min

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  23. WOW! My husband is groaning because you have helped provide the ispiration I needed for our family room ceiling. I knew I wanted beams but I didn't know how to plan out the crown moldings. Your inspiration picture and your plans have provided just the spark I need. Now I just need to get hubby on board. There's only so much that I am able to do but he is so capable and talented.

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