Imitation beams can look
as realistic as originals. To achieve this realism your ceiling will
be made up from 1, 2 or 3 sizes of beam:
1. Main beams.
2. Intermediate beams.
3. Joists.
Start with the larger size and work down.
The simplest design is to use a main beam only. This is realistic as
sometimes smaller beams and joists were covered by plasterwork. This
is also more desirable than running a scheme with too few additional
beams and joists which will look unrealistic. Most people, however,
build a network of intermediate beams and/or joists running from their
main beam by following a few simple rules.
Main Beams
 Should cross the room at its narrower
dimension.
Can be centrally
positioned, or be offset.
Smaller intermediate
beams and/or joists are built up from the main beam.
Rooms up to 16ft
(4.87m) long require only 1 main beam. If your room measures much over
16ft (4.87m) you will need to incorporate either intermediate beam(s)
or more main beam(s). This is because traditionally joists were between
5ft (1.52m) and 6ft (1.98m) long. They were never longer than 8ft (2.44m)
as over this length they would be too small to carry the weight of the
floor running over it.
Intermediate Beam(s)
Are used when the area between your
main beam or beams and wall is greater than 8ft (2.44m) i.e. too long
to use a joist and look realistic.
Run off your
main beam at a 90 degree angle.
Can run from
one or both sides of the main beam.
If running from
both sides they can run from the same point, or be offset from each
other.
Can also be used as the principal beam
in a small or low room.
Joists
Run off your
man and/or intermediate beam(s) at 90 degree angles.
Should be generally
between 5ft (1.52m) and 6ft 6” (1.98m) long and not be longer
than 8ft (2.44m).
Would traditionally
be fitted around 16” (40cm) apart (centre to centre), although
up to 24” (61cm) looks realistic. (If you wish to place joists
further apart we recommend that you use one of the half depth intermediate
beams spaced at 39” (1m) to 47” (1.2m) centres.)
Low Ceilings
If your ceilings are low you can reduce the impact of your beams
by using the half depth intermediate beams as your main beam, and running
planks of it, rather than joists, following the same guidelines as indicated
above. This will give the impression of the beams and joists being part
buried in the ceiling plasterwork. See
our wall planks section for details on planks.
|
