The only way you're getting that beam to look like natural wood is to reinstall the drywall and have it faux painted by an expert. Even if you could find a 14" wide board long enough, it would self-destruct. Plywood would not self destruct, but you'd have seams every 8'.

This will never look like an exposed beam drywall over it and don’t bring anymore attention to it than you need to.

Pretty bad.

I suspect that the covered up beam is better looking, (certainly more authentic) than the effort to disguise it turned out.

I'd try using a 1 x 12 from the bottom edge of the beam, fill the void at the top w/ scraps and add a layer (or two) more cedar. i.e, build up at the ceiling.

Best option would be to replace the existing beam with an architectural, structural glu-lam beam. (glue-laminated)

I have not seen cedar off the shelf anywhere or even heard of it as as a stock material anywhere, ever in wider than 12" nominal (11 1/8" actual) boards and I have been in the business 35 years. That being said if he could not do it in one pc with boards he should have told you and discussed alternatives, period. That does look awful in my opinion.

Have it redone in sheetrock. You will never be happy with that. It does not look good.

Thank you for all the feedback. I just want to clarify a few things:

- I'm not expecting to fool anyone into thinking this is an actual solid beam. I know there will be seams by wrapping it. I just want that general look.

- The species of wood doesn't matter to me.

I know there are some ways to work around the 14" issue by adding a piece of trim:

I think this is a matter of "is it impossible or just difficult?" I know that it's difficult, but the photos above indicate it is possible.

It is neither "impossible or difficult" for someone skilled. But that being said that looks awful, and if you ae not trying to make it look authentic, why allow it to look fake?

Money generally does make a lot of things possible. Just not cost effective for those not wanting to spend a jillion dollars.

And that looks terrible. Really terrible.

It usually looks bad anyway--even when done right. Your examples don't look very convincing, either, to be honest. I don't think they look any better than what you got. The photos at the top above work more because they look like ceiling beams, or rafters, or whatevers.

What you have is a big ol header.

I'd case it out to match the nice built-ins you have that it is actually touching instead of bringing in a random element.

"What is with this fascination with rustic?"

Too much HGTV & DIY Network.........................

Thank you, everyone, for the input. We've decided to just have them sheetrock it. I don't want to give them another chance to screw it up and stretch out the project even longer!

there was no room for them to push that up into the ceiling area? even somewhat?

and I agree,,it just looks like a header beam. disguise it. wrap it in drywall. the pictures you posted for inspiration do not match your style of house. it's not going to look the same.

Thats fencing material. At the moment I was shown that I would stop ALL work and give it a once over and have a serious discussion as to what you expect from the renovation.

Beth, it would have been cost prohibitive to move it into the ceiling. That is what should have been done during the original construction of the house (the beam is where an addition was put on) but I'm just going to live with it as is and sheetrock it.

"Thats fencing material."

Nah, typical 1x #3 & Better S1S2E Com Ceader, used for board and batton in the 12" width and trim everyday.

It would look fine in a basement.