How to Make Distressed Barn Beams

In this video I'll walk you through the process on how I make authentic looking faux barn beams.

[InsiderCarpentry]

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THIS CHANNEL BY USING THESE AFFILIATE LINKS!!!

[danimal]

Your method yields (BY FAR) the most convincingly authentic results amongst all of the dozens of YouTube videos I’ve sifted through on the varying wood distressing/aging techniques. No comparison. Your product is virtually indistinguishable from the genuine article. I’ll be using your method step for step. Hats off, and cheers to you for sharing your knowledge.

[jeffdouglas]

This is the best explanation of the burning technique that I have seen on youtube. Thanks!

[Vothtrucks]

As a guy who has created " special effects " such as this for many years I just wanted to say that you have the" eye"and creative thinking that I rarely get to see ! . The details that you bring up and execute in such a talented method taught this old timer something new and I appreciate everything I can learn . Great job.

[danturley]

Seriously one of the most impressive instructional videos i have ever seen. Beautiful finish product.

[taylorbrockmeier]

Hey there, cabinet maker/trim carpenter/fan from Missouri here! Awesome video, I just spent the last 5 hrs or so applying the techniques in this video to some beams and I gotta say the difference in speed, quality and cost are like night and day! Thanks a bunch!

[jackfesten]

I recently made a 12" x 24' beam for our great room with a 15" ceiling following your video. I didn't use the torch because the boss didn't want the look. The power planer along with an axe, chain, chisel and a small cut off wheel for the crack lines with my Dremel did the trick.  I finished everything off with faux rubber straps 2" wide with embossed bolts that really finish off the beam. It certainly looks real. Thank you for a project professionally done. Great video and extremely helpful.

[Matasky]

Holy sh*!t, this is the most authentic 'faux' work I've ever seen...Thanks for sharing your secrets man..takes some serious tools to get those results but you've mastered it for sure...

[brianwball]

When you said "distressed", you weren't joking around. Most people just whack it with a chain or screwdriver and call it done. This is a whole other level of awesome!

[clubfishersd]

Wow. I am bowing to your skills and willingness to share the depth of knowledge you have! Thank you. Keep on doing! Your work is amazing!

[TonyG-iutd]

You make so much effort to share knowledge. Thank you for your video!

[murryficklestien]

I run a business where I take down old pre 1900s barns and use the wood for custom homes. I have 100s of beams and almost all of them have two things in common. Discoloration from rust (nails, straps, tin roof) and Greg patina. I have a customer who couldn't pay for 220 linear foot of oak, hickory, walnut or butternut which is 90% of my stock. so they asked me to make box beams like this. I like your method. I had never done it before so I did some tests. Similar process, but she didn't like the burnt look. said it looked too fake. Like a burnt marshmallow. So I ended up refining my process. I took a 50 gallon metal drum, filled it 1/2 full of water and mixed boric acid, salt peter and aluminum oxide (after researching reactions), heated up over a fire and threw is some old tin pieces. let it stew for a couple days and then filled by pest bath (just 20 or so foot of metals barrels cut in half long ways and welded together). after I made my cuts I soaked the wood in the bath for a week kept adding new mix. The hung them over or near a big fire and cooked them. when they were done (degraded shrunken fiber, exaggerated splits and cracks) it almost looked like a real old beam. I mixed up a batch of acrylic Greg wash and put two coats on and sprayed with nano poly. Sounds like a PITA process but it really wasnt. she loved them. they had dark spots in the right areas and a nice petina

[ronskelton]

A man who works with his hands is a laborer. A man who works with his hands and his mind is a skilled craftsman. A man who works with his hands, his mind and his heart is an Artist.

[nearth]

You have made an excellent channel here. Please keep up the hard yet very informative work of delivering such excellent content. Your skills plus your ability to convey information intelligibly is a true gift you are sharing with the rest of the interested world. Thank you.

[mikelastmanstanding]

Awesome. Thanks so much for slowly walking thru the process!

[danbrown]

Nice work Spencer, the finished product looks awesome! Thanks for sharing your techniques!

[lewisprentice]

Thanks for sharing your techniques. You're helping me up my game on my jobs.

[jackfesten]

I made two each  12" x 12" x 12' beams for our great room in the family room. This has a 15' ceiling and the beams looks outstanding. Your step by step instructions were very clear. I would suggest you recommend that the bottom edges are 45 degree angles and then glued and nailed. The ceiling frame for the 2" x 4" along with the 1" x 12"s, fasteners, stain, pre stain and glue was around $160. I also purchased 2" faux metal straps made of rubber that finished the authentic look. Wifey is happy so you know I'm happy. Thank you very much.

[JK-vrko]

Fantastic job, the difference between the discriminating woodworker and the “chain and hammer” distressing guy is staggering. Thanks for sharing!

[Dawesdog]

Excellent video! Super helpful and well done. Thanks for doing this