17 Mar Faux Oak Beams | Unreal Oak Beams | Imitation Oak Beams
Bespoke plaster-based beam work
Imitation oak beams, shaped and finished for your home
Add the depth and character of aged oak without fitting a solid timber beam. Every piece is shaped, textured and hand-painted for the room around it.
- Made for your room
- Finished by hand
- Created on site
A family craft
Family plastering heritage since 1955, applied to one-off beam work for contemporary and period homes.
Made around the problem
Character where real timber is not the right answer
Imitation beams can be formed around the dimensions and features already in your room. They are decorative and do not replace structural support.
Ceiling and feature beams
Create rhythm, warmth and an established look across new or renovated rooms.
RSJ and steel covers
Turn a boxed or exposed structural element into a feature designed for the space.
Openings and lintel wraps
Frame a doorway or opening with a finish that relates to the surrounding room.
Matching existing character
Develop colour, grain and age to sit naturally beside the details already present.
Bespoke means considered
Built for the proportions, light and character of the room
There is no fixed mould or off-the-shelf finish. Scale, surface texture and colour are developed for the installation, then adjusted by hand on site.
- Shape
- Proportioned around ceilings, openings, boxed steel and adjoining details.
- Character
- Subtle grain, splits, knots and wear are composed rather than repeated.
- Finish
- Colour is layered to suit the room instead of selected from a standard shelf.
Before we quote
A few details help us judge the right approach
Photos of the roomWide views plus the area the beam will meet.
Approximate dimensionsLength, width, depth and the number of pieces.
What is there nowFor example, a boxed RSJ, lintel or decorative feature.
The finish you preferLight, dark, weathered or matched to an existing detail.
Fireplace, heat and technical requirements are considered for the specific installation. Share the appliance and clearance details when you enquire.
From first look to final finish
A straightforward, four-stage process
- 1
Share the project
Send photos, dimensions and the result you have in mind.
- 2
Discuss the details
We review the structure, setting, finish and practical requirements.
- 3
Agree the character
Shape, grain direction and colour are planned around your room.
- 4
Create and finish on site
The beam is formed, detailed and hand-painted for the installation.
Based in Greater Manchester
Local expertise, with projects considered nationwide
Unreal Oak Beams is based in Whitefield and works across Greater Manchester, with travel elsewhere in the UK considered project by project.
See our Greater Manchester service areaCommon questions
What homeowners usually ask
Do imitation beams provide structural support?
No. The beam finish is decorative. Any load-bearing structure must already be correctly designed and installed.
Can you cover an existing RSJ or boxed steel?
Often, yes. Send clear photographs and approximate dimensions so the existing construction and the required finish can be discussed.
How is the colour chosen?
The finish is agreed around the room, the character you want and any existing timber or interior details you would like it to complement.
Can the work be used near a fireplace?
That depends on the appliance, construction and required clearances. These details must be assessed for the specific application before a recommendation is made.
What should I send for a quotation?
Photos, approximate dimensions, quantities, your location, the current structure and examples of the finish you like provide a useful starting point.
Do you work outside Greater Manchester?
Yes. The business is based in Greater Manchester and suitable projects elsewhere in the UK are considered individually.
Start with a few details
Tell us what you would like to transform
Send photographs and approximate measurements for a tailored conversation about your project.
