HOLLOW BEAMS BUILT WITH RECLAIMED WOOD HAND SHAPED IN THE 1800’S
Hand Hewn Barn Timber – Box Beams
Our Hand-Hewn Box Beams are fabricated from authentic antique timbers sourced from 18th and 19th century barns across the Eastern United States, preserving the character and craftsmanship of early American construction in a lighter, more versatile form.
Each beam is created by carefully dissecting reclaimed solid timbers and reassembling them into hollow box beams, allowing us to maintain original hand-hewn textures, natural patina, and historic markings such as mortise and tenon joinery. This process enables the appearance of substantial solid beams while reducing overall weight and improving installation flexibility.
These beams are built to order in a wide range of sizes, commonly replicating dimensions from 6×6 up to 12×12 and beyond, with lengths tailored to suit the layout of each project. Surface preparation typically includes cleaning, light detail sanding, and milling as needed to achieve a consistent and cohesive finished result.
Box beams are commonly used for ceiling applications, decorative beam layouts, or to conceal structural elements, offering a practical solution where solid timbers may be too heavy or restrictive. While solid beams are often available at a lower material cost, box beams provide added flexibility in design, installation, and application—without sacrificing the authentic look of reclaimed wood.
How to order the right size for your project:
To ensure accurate quoting and a successful project, the most important step is determining whether your beams are purely decorative or wrapping existing framing. Please review the options below and let us know when inquiring.
Option 1: Built for decorative purposes only
If the box beam is purely aesthetic, we quote the size based on nominal exterior dimensions.
Information Needed to Provide Pricing:
- (A) Beam Width
- (B) Beam Height
- (C) Length of beam (rounded up to nearest foot)
- (D) Number of sides (2, 3, or 4)
- (E) Quantity (pricing is based on total volume of job)
Interior dimensions will vary based on material thickness and are not considered critical. Exterior dimensions are considered nominal unless specified as exact.
Option 2: Built to Cover Existing Framing
If the box beam is intended to cover over existing framing, the box beam will be built to provided interior dimensions (ID).
Information Needed to Provide Pricing:
- (A) Interior Width (including clearance)
- (B) Interior Height (including clearance)
- (C) Length (rounded up to nearest foot)
- (D) Number of sides (2, 3, or 4)
- (E) Quantity (pricing is based on total volume of job)
Exterior dimensions will vary based on material thickness and are considered “approximate” on the quote.
⚠️ Incorrect interior sizing can result in beams that do not fit. Please ensure dimensions provided to us include enough room to safely cover framing and must include a MINIMUM ¼″ of extra space in both width and height to allow for proper installation.
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