We’ve trimmed out the ceiling beams.  Remember these guys?

We covered how we installed them here.  We used (2) 2 x 8s attached together with a piece of particle board between them to create a beam that is 3.5″ wide.  Because, of course, a 2″ x 8″ is really 1.5″ x 7.25″.  Here’s a close up of the beam.

We specifically created a beam that was 3.5″ wide, so that we could use 1″ x 4″ pieces of pine to create the trim piece.  In order to get the angles right on the trim, Mark created a template.                                                                                              

He then took the template and wrapped it around the beam where it hits the wall.

Then he took a straight edge so that he could mark the correct angle on the template.

Then he took the template with the angle marked on it over to his mitre saw in order to determine the degree of the angle.                                                              

Now that he knows exactly what the angle of the ceiling is, he can assemble the trim piece by screwing together three pieces of 12′ long 1″ x 4″.  Then he cut the angle of one end of the trim piece and then measured to see where to cut the other end.

Once the end angles were cut, Mark slid the piece over the beam on the high side of the ceiling, and then walked it down to the other end, pushing it over the beam as he went.                                                                                                                        

Once the trim piece was in place, Mark secured it with decking screws every couple of feet. Then, in order to minimize the seams as much as possible, he used a clamp to compress the trim piece around the beam and then used his nail gun to drive a few nails through the trim piece into the beam.                                                                 

Sorry about the light and shadows in the picture above, it was getting late and we were trying to finish.  This morning when the light in that room was better, I took these pictures of all the beams with their trim.

Again, here’s the before without the trim.

In addition to trimming the beams, we have also started sanding all the rest of the trim pieces around the windows and doors.  Sanding is such a pain, but it’s often what separates a project from looking pro vs. DIY.  Sand people, it’s worth it.