There is something undeniably beautiful about gnarly, imperfect old timber beams which goes someway towards explaining the popularity of oak framed buildings and the lure of traditional old English cottages with ceilings and walls revealing their beamed structures.
However, for those renovating a house, building a new extension or self-building from the ground up, it is still possible to inject a little of the charm that old beams can add – providing you arm yourself with a few tips and tricks.
Whether you are the new owner of an unsympathetically updated old house and are scratching your head wondering what to do with badly painted false beams (as I was), or want to add a little character to your house by giving new beams an instant aged look, our expert advice is here to help.
How do you make new beams look old?
There are, in fact, several different techniques you can use to give new timber beams an aged look, depending on the final finish you want to achieve.
In the case of ceiling beams that have been stuck on and are non-structural, many people choose to give them a distressed paint finish (or remove them altogether), while if you are dealing with a beam you want to place above a fireplace to form the basis of your mantelpiece ideas you might want to achieve a more rustic, natural appearance.
Here, we take a look at the methods that use both paint finishes as well as those that add more in the way of surface imperfections.
Using paint to give new beams an aged finish
This is a method that can be used on both painted beams as well as new bare wood that you want to give an authentic look to, perhaps to achieve the farmhouse kitchen ideas of your dreams or within a new extension you want to match your existing interiors.
I spoke to the experts at Wood Finishes Direct who had the following advice. "Usually the best way to achieve this finish is by using a creamy paint, and then brushing dark wax over the top. One coat of paint should do it and then one coat of wax, brushed on with the surplice removed with a cloth, leaving it in all the nooks and crannies"
Sara D’Souza, content strategist and creator at Frenchic Paint explains the method she likes to use for this finish – something she has coined as the 'Frenchic beam hack'.
"The Frenchic Beam Hack was originally developed to produce a light oak look for ceiling beams using Frenchic products to allow a total transformation of dark or previously painted beams without the requirement for costly, messy and time-consuming stripping," explains Sara.
"As with all projects, prep is key. Before you start, clean with sugar soap, rinse and allow to dry before lightly sanding to ensure a good ‘key’ for the paint," advises Sara. "The more texture your surface has to begin with, the better the wood effect once the wax is applied.
"First, the surface is painted with Lazy Range Crème de la Crème and then Browning Wax is applied," continues Sara. "One of the simplest ways to create surface texture is to over-work paint as you apply it. Have a little more paint than usual on your brush and run it along the length of the surface (following the way wood grain would run). Keep brushing backwards and forwards as it begins to dry to cause pronounced brush marks. In addition, you could also consider using a graining tool to create texture and patterns in the paint, ready for the Browning Wax to highlight.
"The technique is most effective on surfaces that have texture, which is highlighted and defined by the wax," adds Sara. "As ceiling beams are not generally subject to wear and tear, the wax can be quite heavily applied, enhancing the tonal wood effect."
Sara is the content strategist and creator at Frenchic Paint. She specialises in interiors and colour trends, bringing inspiration and expertise to every piece of content. With a passion for home styling, she writes about everything from upcycling furniture to decorating with confidence. Sara keeps a close eye on evolving trends, translating them into practical ideas and engaging stories.
Giving new beams a distressed whitewashed finish
One of the most popular ways to treat new beams right now is to give them a slightly distressed, pale, washed finish – also sometimes referred to as a whitewash or limewash – and this is also one I used for the new pine beams we added to our vaulted bedroom ceiling in order to make it a little more visually interesting.
If you like the sound of this method of painting beams, you will need to first use a knotting solution and primer – it is also possible to buy all-in-one products that take care of this in one step such as Ronseal Knot Block Wood Primer and Undercoat White from Amazon.
You then want to apply either a limewash paint or a good quality clay-based paint diluted with water using a 1:1 ratio. Use a brush to apply it before removing any excess with a damp cloth.
Shop limewash and whitewash paints
Perfect for bringing out the natural grain of wood, this liming wax is simple to apply and has the added benefit of protecting the timber from stains and damage too.
This now iconic chalk paint can be used in all kinds of ways, but if you are looking for a limewash finish, simply dilute with 30-50% water before brushing it onto your beams.
This is more of a stain than a paint but it does a brilliant job of toning down the appearance of new bare wood, leaving a subtle grey hue for a worn-in finish.
How to make new beams look old with tools
If its a more natural, rustic look you are after, as opposed to a painted finish, there are other techniques to try – you just need to arm yourself with a few choice DIY tools.
Personally, when trying to make my own pine beams look a little less perfect, I found a using the edge of a hammer (not the face as this would have left disc shapes) on random sections helped create a few nice dents, while adding a few scratches with nails and a screwdriver also added character.
Finally, using an electric hand sander helped me to round off sharp, new-looking, edges for a softer, worn look.
How to age wooden beams without painting
Just as when reviving wooden floors, painting aside, there are a few other finishes and treatments you can use to create an old finish on your timber beams.
Wood weathering solutions are readily available to buy and are designed to give timber an instantly 'old' appearance.
If you would prefer to take a chemical-free approach, you might like to try this vinegar hack. Simply pour white vinegar into an empty spray bottle before popping a piece of steel wool in with the liquid. Leave it for 24 hours (preferably in a bright, sunny spot), then spray the solution over the wood. The beam should develop a silvery patina, not dissimilar to those achieved using weathering solutions.
Finally, some people report seeing good results using wood stain on wood that has been dampened down as this results in a pleasingly uneven finish.
Give your new beams an instantly aged look with this clever solution that dries to the touch in just one hour and is low odour.
FAQs
Can you paint over gloss paint on beams?
If you are faced with new beams that have been given a couple of thick coats of gloss paint at some point in the past (a common practice for a while), you are probably wondering what your best course of action is.
You can paint over gloss but it is best to first sand the beams in order to provide a good 'key' for the paint. You will then need to apply a couple of coats of undercoat, sanding between coats, before adding your top coat.
If you want to get the wood back to a bare finish, you will need to either use a chemical-based wood stripper or a heat gun and paint scraper.
Love the look of exposed oak beams? If you are planning on adding space to your home in the coming year, oak framed extension ideas could be just thing if you want your new addition to be bursting with character and charm.
