Diy barn beam mantel
by
Deb
+5
We have a white pine beam that just came out of barn from the 1800's. We want to use it for our fireplace mantel. It looks very clean. Do we need to sand, stain or varnish it before we install it?
5 answers
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Wipe it down and install it. If your looking for a real smooth look you can sand it. But if your looking for a finished look, I would sell the beam and use a board that is already smooth. The nature of an older beam is just that. Old looking with rustic appeal. Sand it and you loose that and all you end up with is a heavy beam without much value. You can also stain it, but again you loose that patina that is the charm of older barn wood. I would simply on the back side put some trial stains, poly or what ever it is you are thinking about and see if it comes out the way you want. But do not do the open sides until your happy with results. As once stained or finished, your stuck with it.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Sep 26, 2013
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Depending on what kind of an affect you want to achieve, I might suggest you keep it with a rough, unfinished look to maintain a rustic appearance; however, stain it a light color to add a contemporary flair!
Sandra Battaglia
on Sep 26, 2013
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My brother worked at the high school I graduated from and when the school was being updated, he grabbed a solid oak beam and asked if I wanted it for our fireplace. We sealed it with poly and put it up for a mantel. That was about 20 years ago and its still beautiful. I don't know how pine would hold up but if the white color is original paint you might want to try something on the back side like @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com suggested.
TJ
on Sep 27, 2013
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Your very welcome...good luck!
Sandra Battaglia
on Sep 27, 2013
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Does anyone else here have concerns about insects with a project like this? If so, what do you do?
Beth Bourque
on Sep 27, 2013
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