How to Make a Steel I-Beam Look Like Wood

Attaching the Bottom

• 1

  Use a diamond-tipped 5/32-inch drill bit to drill pilot holes up through the bottom plate of the beam, one row one inch in from each edge, 10 inches apart.

• 2

  Use a table saw to cut a piece of hardwood lumber to width, 1/8 inch wider than the bottom width of the I-beam. Cut this piece to length, using a miter saw, to fit the beam.

• 3

  Position the hardwood piece centered side to side against the bottom of the beam. Drive one 3/4-inch wood screw down through each hole in the beam into the hardwood lumber.

Adding the Sides

• 4

  Measure from the bottom edge of the hardwood up to the ceiling beside the beam. Cut two pieces of hardwood lumber to width to fit. Cut the pieces to length on the miter saw as you did before.

• 5

  Apply wood glue along the narrow edge of the hardwood you attached to the bottom of your beam. Fit one of the side pieces in place, with its top edge against the ceiling, and its bottom edge flush with the bottom face of the hardwood attached to the bottom of the beam.

• 6

  Nail through the side piece into the edge of the piece attached to the beam with a pin nail gun and 1 1/2-inch pin nails, one every 6 inches.

Applying the Finish

• 7

  Fill the nail holes and seams along the bottom of the side pieces with solvent-based wood filler. Allow the filler to harden completely. Sand the filler smooth with a random orbit sander and 150-grit sandpaper.

• 8

  Mix a can of wood stain and clear finish all-in-one with a wooden paddle. Apply two coats of the finish to the beam with a soft-bristled paintbrush. Work in line with the wood grain, in long, straight, overlapping strokes to avoid brush marks.

• 9

  Spread the finish evenly to prevent runs and drips. Allow the stain to dry for an hour between coats.