What are solid timber beams?
Solid timber beams are single-piece structural members re-sawn from premium softwood and hardwood logs. Our solid beams deliver authentic mass, exposed grain, and load-bearing strength that hollow box beams and engineered look-alikes cannot match. Tar River Timber Works mills each beam from Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, or plantation-grown Tar River Teak, stocking 169 in-stock SKUs ready to ship across the United States.
Which timber species should you choose for your solid beams?
Your project conditions determine the right species. Our Douglas Fir beams suit interior ceilings, ridge beams, mantels, and headers. Our fir beams provide high structural strength, a tight straight grain, and a warm amber tone that finishes beautifully under clear sealer or stain. Our Western Red Cedar beams suit pergolas, pavilions, covered patios, and exterior trim. Our cedar beams resist rot, repel insects, weigh less per linear foot than fir, and hold their dimensional stability through wet–dry cycles outdoors. Our Tar River Teak beams suit coastal builds, premium exterior installations, and marine-adjacent projects. Our teak beams deliver tropical hardwood density, naturally weather-resistant heartwood, and sustainable plantation sourcing certified through our own supply chain.
What sizes and lengths do solid beams come in?
Our solid beam catalog covers 11 standard cross-sections, with every cross-section available in our full 8-length range — 48", 60", 72", 96", 120", 144", 168", and 192". Our 3-1/2" width series includes 3-1/2" x 5-1/2", 3-1/2" x 7-1/4", 3-1/2" x 9-1/4", and 3-1/2" x 11-1/4" profiles, suiting lighter accent beams, mantels, and decorative ceiling members. Our 5-1/2" width series includes 5-1/2" x 5-1/2", 5-1/2" x 7-1/4", 5-1/2" x 9-1/4", and 5-1/2" x 11-1/4" profiles, suiting structural ridge beams, pergola headers, and mid-span ceiling timbers. Our 7-1/4" width series includes 7-1/4" x 7-1/4", 7-1/4" x 9-1/4", and 7-1/4" x 11-1/4" profiles, suiting heavy-duty ridge beams, commercial pavilion frames, and long-span great-room headers. You can order any combination from the product grid above in lengths up to 192", or you can request a custom mill cut for non-standard dimensions.
Which texture and finish options work best?
Our mill applies three signature textures plus an optional pre-stain finish. Our bandsawn texture preserves natural saw kerf lines for a clean rustic look on mantels and interior beams. Our sanded finish removes mill marks and gives modern timber-frame projects a smooth, paint-ready surface. Our hand-hewn texture replicates traditional adze work with deep, irregular faceting for reclaimed and historic aesthetics. You can add pre-staining in your specified color so your beams arrive job-site ready and skip on-site finishing labor.
Where do solid beams perform best in residential and commercial builds?
Our solid beams perform best across five primary applications. Our Douglas Fir beams support exposed cathedral and vaulted ceilings as ridge, hip, and rafter members. Our cedar beams frame pergolas and pavilion roofs with weather-grade longevity. Our 5-1/2" and 7-1/4" Douglas Fir beams serve as decorative mantels above masonry fireplaces. Our re-sawn beams act as header timbers above garage doors, entryways, and great-room openings. Our long-length 168" and 192" beams anchor commercial timber-frame restaurants, breweries, wedding venues, and event barns.
How does Tar River Timber Works mill each solid beam?
Our timber crew re-saws every beam square to nominal dimensions on heavy-duty bandsaw mills. Our finishing team applies your specified texture — bandsawn, sanded, or hand-hewn — under shop-controlled conditions. Our joinery shop pre-drills mortise pockets, bolt holes, and tenon cuts to your shop drawings before crating. Our quality team inspects each beam for grade, moisture content, and finish accuracy before release. Our crating crew protects every beam with corner guards and shrink-wrap for freight transit.
How do you order custom solid beams from Tar River?
You can order custom solid beams using the following steps:
- Your selected species, dimensions, and length match an in-stock SKU from the product grid above, or your custom spec is submitted through our quote form.
- Your texture choice — bandsawn, sanded, or hand-hewn — is added at checkout.
- Your optional pre-stain color is confirmed by our finishing team.
- Your joinery requirements — mortises, bolt patterns, and decorative end-cuts — are detailed in your shop drawings.
- Your beams ship by freight carrier directly to your job site or staging yard.
How does Tar River ship solid timber beams?
Our shipping team palletizes, crates, and bands every solid beam order for protected freight transit. Our carriers deliver standard orders across the continental United States with curbside drop. Our team coordinates lift-gate, residential, and job-site delivery on request. Our oversize 168" and 192" beams ship by flatbed for safe full-length transport.
Why should you buy solid beams from Tar River Timber Works?
Tar River Timber Works mills 169 solid timber beam SKUs from our North Carolina shop, gives builders one source for cedar, fir, and teak, and ships beams up to 192" anywhere in the continental United States. Our beams arrive pre-finished, pre-drilled, and pre-textured so your install team eliminates on-site milling, sanding, and staining labor. Our pricing covers the mill, finish, and joinery in one delivered cost, with no surprise add-ons after order placement.
Ready to specify your solid beams? Browse the product grid above to filter by species, dimensions, and length, or request a custom mill quote from our timber team.
