Custom Color Swatch Samples Available for PU Faux Beam Selection

What comes in a project sample pack

For a specific project, the sample pack is built around the candidate colors and the candidate profiles. We don't send a generic "here are some beams" sample — we build the pack to the project specification.

The standard project pack includes 3 to 6 color swatches in the requested stain or paint tones, a short length (200 mm) of each candidate beam profile so designers can see how the grain wraps around the corner, a finish reference card showing the sheen levels available for the chosen color, a technical data sheet for the beam substrate, and a one-page installation method sketch showing the mounting system.

The short profile pieces are particularly valuable and often the first thing designers comment on. They show how the grain wraps around the beam face, how the embossing reads at the corner, and how the color catches light along the long axis of the beam. A flat swatch can't convey any of that. The profile pieces also let designers evaluate the beam's visual weight in the context of the room — how does an 8x8 beam read against a 2.7 m ceiling, and is that the right proportion?

The sample pack ships in a flat box with custom-cut foam inserts that protect the profile pieces in transit. For overseas clients, we ship by international courier with tracking. For domestic clients, next-day delivery is available.

The material library box program

For designers and architects who specify beams across multiple projects — residential designers working with home builders, commercial interior architects on tenant improvement programs, hospitality designers on hotel renovation pipelines — we maintain a material library box program.

The standard library box contains 12 beam profile samples covering our most popular sizes (4x6, 4x8, 6x6, 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x10, 10x12 and their metric equivalents), 16 color swatches covering the full stock stain and paint library, 4 multi-tone swatches showing our most popular layered finishes, 2 texture samples (smooth and hand-hewn) for tactile comparison, a printed reference guide with technical specifications and installation notes, and a USB drive with high-resolution photographs of each finish under multiple lighting conditions plus downloadable Revit and ArchiCAD texture files.

The library box costs $250 to produce and ship. We don't charge for the box itself on the understanding that it will be used for actual project evaluation and not for unrelated marketing purposes. Most design studios treat the library box as a long-term reference tool and reorder individual swatches as specific projects require them.

For studios that need to evaluate a broader range of profiles — for example, an architecture firm working on a mix of residential and large-scale commercial projects — we supply extended library boxes with up to 24 profile samples and 32 color swatches. Extended boxes are built to order and take about three weeks to assemble.

Sample accuracy: what you're actually getting

Each profile sample in the library box is pulled from actual production material. We don't make special "sample-only" versions of our beams — the sample is the same cast, the same density, the same grain texture, the same finish chemistry, and the same packaging protocol as a real beam off the production line. The only difference is the size: a 200 mm library piece versus a 4 m finished beam.

The color swatches are finished in the same room with the same chemistry as the production beams. The only limitation is that swatches are flat samples, so they show the color but not the full three-dimensional grain pattern. For grain evaluation, designers use the short profile pieces. This is why we include both in every library box.

We periodically receive requests for "larger swatches so we can see the grain better." The answer is that a swatch larger than about 300 x 300 mm doesn't add meaningful information about the grain — the grain pattern on a PU beam repeats at intervals of roughly 200–300 mm, so a 300 mm sample captures one full pattern cycle. A larger swatch just shows the same pattern twice.

Updating samples over time

Materials and finishes evolve. New stain tones are added to the library every January, existing tones occasionally get reformulated as pigment suppliers change their product lines, and the topcoat chemistry is updated as better options become available. We send update notifications to our library box holders every January with details on what's new, what's changed, and what's been discontinued.

Designers can return their library boxes to us for a free refresh. We update the color swatches with current production formulas, replace any worn or damaged pieces, and return the box within three weeks. The refresh program keeps the library current without forcing the studio to buy a new box every year.

For physical swatches that have been on the road for a while, we recommend replacing them every two years. Polyurethane is dimensionally stable but the topcoat surface can collect micro-scratches from handling that affect the sheen reading. A fresh swatch gives a more accurate representation of the current production finish.

Designer showroom program

For trade showrooms, design centers, and builder display homes, we supply display-grade sample boards with the actual beam profiles mounted on a rigid backer board. The boards are designed to stand on a counter, hang on a wall, or sit on a display shelf. Each board includes a 200 mm profile piece showing the grain wrap, a 150 x 150 mm color swatch, and a printed specification card with the color name, the sheen level, the technical specifications, and the order code.

Display boards are available in the standard 12-profile / 16-color configuration or in custom configurations tailored to the showroom's product focus. We supply the boards free of charge to showrooms that commit to displaying our beams for at least 12 months. The commitment is informal — there's no contract — but we ask that the showroom keep the display current and notify us when samples are looking worn so we can send replacements.

For large showrooms that want to display the full library, we supply a rotating display program where we send a new set of samples every 6 months in exchange for the old set being returned for refreshing.

How to request samples

For project samples, send the project name, the candidate colors (or the wall and floor colors you're trying to match), and the candidate profiles. We'll return a quote and a sample pack within two business days.

For library boxes, send the studio name and the designer's contact details. We'll process the order and ship the box within two weeks.

For showroom display boards, send the showroom name, address, and the display configuration you'd like. We'll return a proposal with the display layout, the sample selection, and the shipping schedule.

Send your sample request and we'll have it on its way within 48 hours.

For architectural firms and design studios that specify beams frequently across multiple projects, we offer a dedicated account manager program. The account manager maintains your color library, tracks your project history, and coordinates reorders so the same formula is applied to every project regardless of when it was ordered. The program also includes priority sample processing and a monthly new-color newsletter. Contact our trade desk for account manager eligibility.

For clients ordering internationally, we offer an expedited sample service that delivers samples by air freight within 5 business days for an additional surcharge. This is useful when a project is approaching a procurement deadline and the design team needs samples quickly.