If you're renovating a property in Ibiza or mainland Spain, you may be wondering what to do with existing steel or concrete beams. They're often an important part of the building, but they don't always suit the look you have in mind.
In Spain, wood-effect beams are known as vigas imitación madera. Most products you'll find online are ready-made polyurethane beams, but there are other options, particularly if you already have beams you'd like to transform.
What can you do with existing steel or concrete beams?
Many homes in Spain have exposed steel beams (vigas de hierro or vigas metálicas) or concrete beams (vigas de hormigón). You can paint them, box them in with plasterboard or leave them exposed, but you can also give them the appearance of aged oak.
At Ibiza Beams, we create bespoke oak-effect finishes directly over existing beams. We're not restricted to standard sizes, which is particularly useful for awkward shapes, connecting beams or larger structures.
Making a steel-framed house look traditional
A good example is our recent project in Scotland. The house was a new build with an extensive steel framework, including a large mezzanine. You can see the full project and before-and-after photographs here.
The owners didn't want an industrial-looking interior or boxed-in steel everywhere. They wanted the structure to look more like a traditional oak-framed house.
It was a substantial project, with steel beams running throughout the property. The before-and-after photographs show the difference the finished beams made, particularly around the mezzanine.
What about decorative beams?
You don't necessarily need existing beams to achieve this look. We can also create new decorative beams (vigas decorativas) where there are none, whether that's a single feature beam or a complete ceiling design.
The size, layout and finish can be planned around the room, so the beams look like part of the house rather than something added afterwards.
Thinking about changing your beams?
Whether you're renovating a finca, updating a villa or working on a new build, there are often more options than you might think.
If you're considering faux oak beams (vigas imitación madera) for your home in Ibiza or elsewhere in Spain, send us a few photographs and approximate measurements. We'll be happy to take a look and discuss what's possible.