How to Age a Wood Beam

Roughen up the look of the beam by gouging, chopping or banging it with a variety of instruments. Depending on the degree of aging you wish to create, chop shavings from the edges of the beam with a hatchet, dig "termite tunnels" into it with an ice pick or hammer it firmly enough to leave marks. Use whatever tools are available to get the look you want, including stones, chains, lumber scraps or sturdy gardening tools.

Sand the edges of the beam and the chips/holes you created to make them look aged. Begin with an 80 grit paper to remove splinters and knock down any crisp edges. Work with a medium then a fine grit paper, such as 120, to get the beam as smooth as possible.

Apply a stain or glaze to the beam, depending on the look you're trying to achieve. Create an antiqued effect by brushing on a coat of dark stain, such as walnut, and allowing the product that pools in the beam's divots and scratches to remain behind when you wipe the stain off. Dabbing on two colors of wood-toned glaze with a rag and allowing them to randomly overlap creates a multidimensional look.