03/12/2026
A SOLUTION ON THE FLY
The first photo shows a mock-up of a beam; the second photo shows the beam end before being faux finished. Here’s the back story: As often happens during a construction project, a problem in need of a solution presents itself midstream. As problems go, this was a very small one, but every detail is important. We will be installing 52 beams in a coffered ceiling 14 feet above the great room in the waterfront home we’re building with Kōr Architects. Engineered LVL beams with a hemlock veneer are a great choice, but their ends reveal the core and veneer construction, and each end will be exposed, just a little, when installed, albeit way up high. Beams with veneered ends would have added considerable cost. For much less, our subcontractor Morgan's Fine Finishes will paint each beam end with a faux finish to match the hemlock veneer, as the mock-up shows.
