What is a ‘faux beam’?

Faux  beams are wood-lookalike ceiling beams made from polyurethane, foam or another lightweight material so they attach to a ceiling without the need for reinforcements. The beams look like logs, railroad ties or milled wood.
 
Homeowners typically add several beams that extend from wall to wall to give a room a rustic or Tuscan feel.
 
Faux beams are up to a third less expensive than wood, and they weigh an average of 30 to 50 pounds,compared to hundreds of pounds for real wood, so a homeowner can screw them into an existing two-by-four rather than reinforcing the ceiling to support the weight. They’re decorative rather than structural, so installing them is a fairly simple do-it-yourself project.

Because the beams aren't wood, a variety of finishes are available.
 
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