Our wood beam and mantel guides answer the questions Charlotte-area homeowners ask before they add ceiling beams, a fireplace mantel or floating shelves: which wood to choose, how to plan the layout, what changes the price and what the building code says. Every guide is written by the Chava Grain & Beam by Chava Home Design team that builds and installs these pieces in our Indian Trail shop.
Each topic page groups every guide on beams, mantels or shelves in one place.
Pick the project you are planning and read two guides first; together they answer most questions before a free visit.
Start with real wood vs faux beams, then plan the layout with beam spacing.
Start with mantel clearance, then set heights with mantel height with a TV.
Start with what custom shelves cost, then match them in one wood and stain.
How real wood and foam beams compare up close, in North Carolina humidity, and when you want to refinish. Includes a side-by-side table of real wood box beams, foam beams and solid timber.
7 min read
Read the Real Wood vs Faux Beams GuideNew guides on beams, mantels and shelves, newest first.
Inside our Indian Trail shop: how raw lumber becomes a finished, installed beam in about two weeks.
5 min read
See how box beams are built
Why one species and one stain across beams, mantel and shelves makes a room feel finished.
4 min read
Plan beams and a mantel that match
The 6-inch and 12-inch clearance rules for wood mantels, explained with simple measurements.
6 min read
Learn the mantel clearance rules
How high to set a mantel and a TV above a fireplace, by ceiling height and mantel depth.
5 min read
Plan your mantel and TV height
The wood, size, ceiling height and finish choices that shape the cost of custom ceiling beams.
5 min read
See what changes beam cost
Wood species, size, mounting and fireplace type: what changes the price of a custom mantel.
5 min read
See what drives mantel cost
How wood, length, wall type and hidden supports change the cost of custom floating shelves.
4 min read
See what shapes shelf cost
The photos and measurements to send before your free visit, so your quote comes back faster.
4 min read
Use the photo checklist
How room size and ceiling height shape beam count and spacing, plus the layout mistakes to avoid.
5 min read
Plan how many beams you needWe build every beam from real wood in our Indian Trail shop and install it about two weeks from production, with a 5-year warranty on materials and labor. The measurement and quote are free.
