Fake Beams

[LennyM1984]

Our new house has some very naff fake beams in the kitchen and dining room which I would like to remove (so that the plasterer can skim over the equally naff artex).

The problem is, I can't find any attachments. I have found one screw hidden by an almost invisible plug but unless the person who put them up was a master craftsmen of unrivalled skill, I cannot see any others (I've tried measuring out from where the joists ought to be)

Any ideas?

[bobtail4x4]

probably behind the coving

are you SURE they are fake?

[MC Bodge]

bobtail4x4 said:

probably behind the coving

are you SURE they are fake?

[Bill]

Not such a daft thought. How does the ceiling height compare to adjoining rooms with no beams? If they are fake and that well attached could you lose a bit of height and just board the beams and plaster?

[Wacky Racer]

I think the beams look OK, but I am a big fan of Artex............ (Obviously the new stuff without asbestos)

Much better than boring plain ceilings (imo)

[LennyM1984]

Bill said:

Not such a daft thought. How does the ceiling height compare to adjoining rooms with no beams? If they are fake and that well attached could you lose a bit of height and just board the beams and plaster?

All of the other ceilings on the ground floor are the height these ceilings would be without the beams so I'm reasonably certain they aren't structural (a builder friend was fairly adamant that they weren't when we viewed it).

Out of the picture and running perpendicular to these is a BIG wooden "beam" boxing in an RSJ but these ones look to be decorative

ETA: This is a mid 80s house and not a Grade 2 listed cottage...

Edited by LennyM1984 on Tuesday 28th January 19:56

[Snow and Rocks]

Depends on what sort of house and what sort of feel you're going for but have you thought about just painting over them?

We’ve actually just gone the other way and opened up a ceiling to expose previously covered over beams and painted in a sort of limewash white style. It looks fresh and clean but adds a bit of texture and depth to what was previously a pretty bland ceiling.

Wouldn't work in a modern/newbuild type setting but you never know!

Edit - just seen your edit, so never mind!

[MC Bodge]

Bill said:

Not such a daft thought. How does the ceiling height compare to adjoining rooms with no beams? If they are fake and that well attached could you lose a bit of height and just board the beams and plaster?

I wasn't laughing at the idea, just at the OP trying to remove structural beams with a crowbar.

[Keypad]

Would a joist & stud detector be any use?

[macp]

I was not entirely sure what this thread was about. Was thinking science or ufo's or summink.

Not actual beams.

Its been a long day. Sorry as you were

[Bill]

MC Bodge said:

I wasn't laughing at the idea, just at the OP trying to remove structural beams with a crowbar.

Also funny TBF.

[jimothyc]

If you do get them off, you’ll probably find they’ve been used to box in a load of ugly wiring and pipes you’ll need to hide. Maybe try drilling into one to confirm if they’re hollow or not.

[softtop]

jimothyc said:

If you do get them off, you’ll probably find they’ve been used to box in a load of ugly wiring and pipes you’ll need to hide. Maybe try drilling into one to confirm if they’re hollow or not.

rather than drilling, use a crow bar.

[TonyRPH]

Our last place had similar fake beams.

They appear to have been made of plastic, and simply clipped on to brackets screwed to the ceiling.

[KTMsm]

Powerful magnet or just stuck a crowbar behind them and give them a flex (with a decent bit of ply against the ceiling)

[DorsetSparky]

jimothyc said:

If you do get them off, you’ll probably find they’ve been used to box in a load of ugly wiring and pipes you’ll need to hide. Maybe try drilling into one to confirm if they’re hollow or not.

If you think there's a load of wiring and pipes inside it I would not recommend an exploratory drill!

[Doofus]

If you burn the beams away, any hidden screws will be left behind and then you can easily remove them.

[thebraketester]

Hard to tell from that photo but they sort of look like the visible wood is just trim, over what I am not sure,

A bit like these..

https://traditionalbeams.com/collections/box-beams

[Evanivitch]

You'll have to remove coving if skimming after anywhere. So take it down and have a look behind.

[Baldchap]

They look (on my little phone screen) like they are in three pieces. Does the centre piece simply pop off with a small amount of pressure?