Architects put a modern twist on exposed beams in north Louisiana

IMG_0933The exposed beam design feature, rich in history with homes using these beams as their bones, has been enjoying a modern twist with builders and architects all across North Louisiana uncovering these beams or adding them to a home.

The exposed beam design feature — rich in history with homes using them as their bones — has been enjoying a modern twist with builders and architects all across north Louisiana.  Once the decision is made to either expose or add wooden beams to a home, where to go next?

One lumber company in Shreveport has offered quality materials to the Ark-La-Tex since 1860.  Able to ship, Allen Lumber is ready with any lumber-related material needs, residential or commercial.

General manager , Josh Callaway, suggests that the beam dream begins with a solid idea.

“Working with an interior designer and a contractor will help make these decisions to design the interior beam,” said Callaway.

This prominent architecture style for north Louisiana is found as a standard in most new build homes with interior wooden treatments boiling down to the homeowner’s distinct tastes, explained Callaway.   The trending beam choices at Allen Lumber & Millwork include cypress, cedar, faux beams and the ever popular re-claimed antique heart-wood pine.

With different species of wood displaying different colors, Callaway said that color hues and textures depend upon the type of wood.  For example, cypress offers a blonde color, as opposed to cedar, which has more of a red tint, according to Callaway. He mentioned that clear sealing the beam or adding a variety of different color stains can also bring out what ever color is desired.

“Whether a remodel or custom build, the beam element should look as if it was designed with the home and never as though it was an afterthought,” said Jim Fine, founder and vice president of Duggan & Fine Construction Company and Louisiana Home Builder’s Association president. He also was appointed to the Louisiana Licensing Board member by Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Beam construction is an element that can be integrated into any size home and is well within the reach of the typical working family — not something that needs to be reserved for luxurious homes, according to Fine, who has almost completed a 3,000-square foot home using beams in outdoor areas.

On the other side of the state, Thomas Woods, owner of Thomas Woods Construction in Monroe, has built all along the I-20 corridor.  Utilizing the beam element in the majority of his builds, Woods has been keen on this trend for some time.

Modern living in north Louisiana have homeowners opting to showcase load-bearing wooden beams, keeping with the national trends of bringing the outdoors into the home while turning an architectural element that was once hidden behind plaster into a main feature.

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