How Much Does It Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams?

Average Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams

How Much Does It Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams per Linear Foot?

The average national cost to install contractor-grade faux wood beams made from polyurethane is $18.00 per linear foot. You’ll pay an average of $7.50 per linear foot in materials and $10.50 per linear foot in labor costs for professional installation by a local handyperson or a general contractor near you.

For a typical project requiring 100 linear feet of faux wood beams, this translates to a project cost of $1,800.

Note that faux wood beam costs can vary depending on your location, the size of your project, the quality of the materials, and labor costs. For example, if you choose higher-grade materials with professional installation, your cost could jump to $36 to $48 per linear foot.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams Yourself?

For a DIY project measuring 100 linear feet, you can expect to pay about $750 for contractor-grade faux wood beams and $100 to $150 for installation materials, including prep and finishing materials, connectors, fasteners, and cleanup. This is a total project cost of about $850 to $900.

If you opt for the highest-quality materials, expect to pay $2,900 to $3,600 for 100 linear feet of faux beams, with an additional $200 to $250 for higher-quality beam straps, connectors, and fasteners to match the aesthetic. This results in a total project cost of $3,100 to $3,850.

No matter the material grade you choose, you’ll save about $1,000 in installation costs if you do the job on your own. 

However, installing 100 linear feet of faux wood beams typically takes a professional about 10 hours. If you’ve never completed this type of project before, it could easily take you twice as long—or longer—as you learn the ropes.

Also, keep in mind that installing faux ceiling beams involves working overhead. You’ll need to get on a ladder to reach your work area, and your arms and body may easily tire from the unfamiliar strain. “There’s also always a fall risk when working on ladders or damaging adjacent walls or ceiling during the install,” says Ezra Laniado, Expert Review Board member and owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group, Inc. For your safety, you should always complete a project like this with a partner.

Cost to Install it Yourself vs Hiring a Contractor 

While it’s true that installing faux wood beams yourself will save money on labor costs—which will easily run into thousands of dollars for larger projects—it’s important to think about the quality of the finished product. 

Exposed ceiling beams are optional design elements meant to add aesthetic appeal to your home. If you don’t do a good job installing these features due to a lack of experience, you may end up with results that take away from your home’s beauty rather than add to it.

There’s also the matter that installing wood beams, even faux ones made of lightweight materials, is hard work. You have to do the majority of the installation work over your head with your arms raised high. If you’re not used to this type of labor, your body will feel the effects after a few hours. Plus, once installed, the beams might need some touch-up work. The amount of touch-up will be dependent on the skill level of the installers.

Even if you have to spend a couple thousand dollars in installation costs, it’s generally the better move. The job will be done quickly and correctly, and you’ll have stunning faux wood beams that you’ll love showing off for years to come.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams by Type?

There are two common materials in the manufacture of faux wood ceiling beams: real wood and polyurethane (or a similar composite material).

Wood

The cost of real wood-skinned, faux beams varies depending on the wood type and product craftsmanship, but you can generally expect to pay $28 per linear foot. This includes contractor-grade materials made from species like alder or maple and professional installation.

Also known as box beams or U beams, these structures are made by hollowing out a piece of timber (sometimes even reclaimed wood) or attaching three or four pieces of wood together to create the look of a solid (but actually hollow) true-wood beam.

Composite

The cost of faux beams made from a contractor-grade, composite material is about $18 per linear foot.

Composite beams are made using molds that have been fabricated from real wood. This means the faux wood will have the same grain lines and details as the real thing.

While the price of higher-grade composite beams can approach the price of contractor-grade, real-wood box beams, it’s important to note that composite beams can be made to look like nearly any species of wood. This means that you can install a faux beam made to look like walnut for a fraction of the price of a box beam made from the real material.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams?

Understanding that the driving factors in faux ceiling beam installation prices are materials and labor will help you better estimate how much this type of project will cost.

Materials Costs

In most cases, the price of materials will make up the biggest portion of your project cost. How much you’ll pay for faux wood ceiling beams will depend on your location, the size of your project, the quality of your materials, and where you source the materials.

Material quality ranges from contractor grade to superior grade. The quality of the wood detail and the manufacturing materials make up the cost differences per grade.

You can purchase faux wood beams from many places, including home improvement stores and building material suppliers. Depending on the style, quality, and quantity of the material you purchase, you’re more likely to pay less at a home improvement store, especially if you shop discounted or closeout styles.

Labor Costs

Labor costs for installing faux wood beams will vary depending on who’s doing the work. You could pay nothing if you install the beams yourself, or you could pay several hundred to several thousand dollars if you hire a professional to do it for you.

Generally speaking, handypeople will offer the lowest installation costs, general contractors will offer the best mix of quality and value, while interior designers will charge the most.

FAQs About Faux Wood Beams

How much do faux wood beams cost?

Faux wood beams generally cost $75 to $375 per 10-foot section, excluding installation costs, depending on the material and quality. Composite beams made from polyurethane are generally more affordable, but high-quality pieces are nearly indistinguishable from natural wood.

Are faux wood beams worth it?

Whether or not faux wood beams are worth it is a very personal question. These beams don’t offer any structural support and are installed merely for their aesthetic value. This means that their worth is subjective — the look and feel they bring to your home could be worth it to you, while others may not care for it. If you need help deciding whether faux wood ceiling beams are right for your space, consider reaching out to a local interior designer for advice.

Do faux beams add value to a house?

Generally, installing decorative beams do not add value to a house because they’re not an alternation that substantially improves the property. However, if you’re renovating a home with the intention of selling, adding faux wood beams and other tasteful design elements could improve your chances of attracting a buyer.

How far apart should faux wood beams be?

When decorating with wood beams, you should consider the overall size of the room to decide how far apart the beams should be. Typically, you should space beams about three feet apart, but that may vary depending on the size and height of the space.