Faux wood beams are most commonly made from high-density polyurethane foam. This material is used to create faux wood beams for a number of reasons:
- Resistance to damage from light, heat, and water prevents the material from developing any signs of general wear.
- It's non-toxic, so it's safe to use in homes.
- It's much less expensive than real wood.
- The material is lightweight, making it easy to transport and install.
- It's less likely to experience problems due to pests such as termites and ants.
What Are Faux Beams Made of Other Than High-Density Polyurethane Foam?
If you've ever wondered, "What are faux beams made of?" you may be surprised to learn that there's more than one answer. In the past, faux wood beams have been made with other materials, including:
- Urea-Formaldehyde Resin: This particular substance is easy to manufacture, which in turn makes the process of producing great-looking faux beams simple. Unfortunately, urea-formaldehyde resins aren't waterproof, which can lead to signs of wear and tear developing relatively quickly.
- Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin: This material has been used to create brown and yellow faux beams that are great for exterior structures.
- Melamine-Formaldehyde Resin: The faux beams created using this material turn out a shade of gray or pale white and are highly resistant to both heat and water.
Given the advantages that come with these substances, it may seem odd that they aren't more popular choices for today's faux beams. The reason is that the formaldehyde used in all of these resins has been shown to cause health problems in animals. Concerned for pets on the inside of a home or local wildlife outside, many people did not feel comfortable using formaldehyde-based faux beams in construction anymore. This was one of the main contributing factors that led to the rise in the popularity of high-density polyurethane foam.
At Decorative Ceiling Tiles, we sell only faux wood beams that are made from safe polyurethane foam and made in America. If you're interested in getting the look of wood beams without the drawbacks of wood, check out our selection of faux wood beams today!