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Exterior wooden beam alternatives?

11 years ago

The house plan we are building has the decorative wooden beams on the front and back porch (as well as those decorative trusses on the exterior inside the peaks). I wondered if there was an alternative to wood so we wouldn't have the upkeep of wood, but a similar look. If there's no option other than wood, which type is the best for upkeep purposes?

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Comments (3)

PRO
Designs for All Seasons
11 years ago
I love the natural look of Oak as it ages and it doesn't have have loads of maintenance. If Oak is left untreated it ages to a lovely silver color and will still last for 20 years plus.

If you do want to keep a brown look to the wood you will need to keep up the maintenance as it looks awful when the varnish starts peeling off. You could oil the wood but this also has to be reapplied regularly to keep it looking brown.

Is that a silver birch tree in front of the house?
PRO
Dytecture
11 years ago
Another option is using cedar.

covered porch · More Info
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Thank you for everyones help so far. i have had a decorator out and they have suggested keeping to a wood colour but darker such as dark palisander - including fascias and soffits. Currently it is all a bit of a mismatch with some wood very bleached, and this should tie it together. i have liked others suggestions and particularly liked Sonia’s photo but i do want something that is not going to go out of fashion or creates alot of work next time decorating. It will be years away but more expensive.and I may have retired. So i am quite liking the sound of this but not sure on garage. Here are some exampes with photos dark to go with windows british racing green or similjar light grey / stone to match grout in case of green i would probably get a new front door this colour. if garage was light grey / stone i think it may clash with render so may not be suitable as a front door colour.? Once it is all decorated i will introdruce some planting and the wheelie bin resited to rear. And please remember the brick is not as dark as it looks in these photos and front door is at side. Thank you
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nevadan
11 years ago
Your architect needs to advise you.
auroracanby
11 years ago
There actually is a fake-beam company called AZ Faux Beams. I'm giving them a try for some beams in a fake-Greek whitewash room, but they do also have exterior products.
lacylange
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you everyone for your advice!

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