Decorative Beams

[Chuck Kiser]

I'm looking at a job to R&R the horizontal beams over a patio. In the attached photo you can see the extensive damage on the existing ones. My thought was to make a interior framework out of ripped PT lumber, then cover the frame with FJ Windsor One (preprimed) 5/4 material. After final painting, cap the beams with a brake bent aluminum cap.

What do you think? Will that be strong enough, weather resistant enough? Better / different options wanted. Price has not been discussed at this point.

IMG_2314_resized.jpg

Beams are 8" wide x 10" high

[Catspaw]

Looks like a perfect place to use PVC trim boards over a PT frame.

[James Eggert]

I've done the same thing before, and the key here is "decorative" which is what your picture shows.

You can do the pt frame but it doesn't have to be, it could be regular #2 DF wrapped and capped. The other option is to make a box beam with two plys and a spacer to make up the bulk or mass to cover versus a 3 ply built up beam you are going to wrap anyway.

I agree PVC would work well, but the price of 5/4 PVC stock versus Windsor One 5/4 stock can be shocking to your client. I would push the issue of PVC painting maintenance is generally less due to stability of the product!

[Ed Michnick]

If structural beams are not needed I would stay away from any framing lumber, that will twist or shrink over time. I would think about doing something similar to a coffered ceiling beam and make it as light as possible. Also, I think 5/4 material is a little bulky looking, I would stick with 1X material.

[Chuck Kiser]

Thanks guys, all good ideas. Based on your suggestions I've modified my original design. How about 1x preprimed FJ windsor One for the bottom and sides. Install a few stiffeners inside the beam as required. The top would be primed 1/4 ply. This would give a thinner projection to attach the crown molding to on the outside of the beams. All of this still covered with a brake bent cap. Sound better?

[Slaughter Construction Co]

A word of caution wrapping the structure/beam. The wrapping may look great immediately upon completion, but in a short time the joints can start to open up. Once that happens, water can/will get in and things will go from bad to worse. Wood will shrink, and PVC will both contract and expand.
Unless you are using kiln dry treated material, the beams ARE going to warp which will look bad and also further open up the beam casings.

I'm assuming that since you are capping the top of the beam with a metal cap,"with soldered joint", there will not be any other structure sitting/fastened to the top of the beam.