Elite Ceiling Designs: Faux Beams, Costs and Process

What is Elite Ceiling Designs?

Elite Ceiling Designs describes itself as a specialty design firm that "focuses on furnishing and installing decorative ceiling beams and related architectural products." In practice it does four things, which the site lists as its services: design, custom colors, fabrication and installation. You can buy all four, or have it design and supply the pieces and let your own contractor fit them.

The core product is the faux wood beam: a hollow, three-sided beam made of high-density polyurethane, cast from molds taken from real timber so the grain, knots and tool marks show, then hand-finished with stains and glazes. Because the beam is decorative rather than structural, it mounts over wood blocking fixed to the ceiling instead of being framed in. The company says this lets it add the look of heavy timber to a finished ceiling without the weight, engineering and cost of solid wood.

Around the beams it offers a family of related products: faux logs, decorative trusses, faux I-beams (including bolted, lattice and cellular styles), coffered ceiling grids, ceiling medallions, tongue and groove ceilings, wall accent panels, natural wood walls, wallpaper installation and stretch ceilings. Its site serves both homes (great rooms, kitchens, vaulted ceilings, covered patios) and commercial interiors (restaurants, hotels, offices, retail).

The company says it has been operating since 2008 ("Est. 2008" on its About page) and describes "over 18 years of experience." Its site says it was formerly known as Foamtec, and that older reviews and listings under that name refer to the same business. It is not an online store: the site has no cart or checkout, and every order starts with a quote.

Who owns or runs Elite Ceiling Designs?

The site names Jeff Lemon. Its About page tells his story through a video from a third-party channel, praising his perseverance in building the business, and the company's contact email on every page is his (jlemon@eliteceilingdesigns.com). The California contractor license record lists Jeffrey David Lemon as the license's qualifying individual and states that he certified owning 10 percent or more of the company.

On the legal side, the California license is held by Foamtec LLC, doing business as Elite Ceiling Designs, at the Rockingham Drive address in Sacramento. The company's site gives its legal entity as "Foamtec, DBA Elite Ceiling Designs." Its Terms & Conditions of Sale page uses the name "Elite Ceiling Designs, LLC," so check which entity name appears on your own contract.

The site does not publish a staff list or named designers and installers. If you want to know who will measure, design or install your project, ask when you book.

Is Elite Ceiling Designs legit?

This is a fair question before paying for a custom, non-returnable order. Here is what can be checked:

• An active California contractor license. We looked up license 1065307 on the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) site on 19 October 2026. It reads "current and active," issued 17 April 2020, reissued 2 May 2022 and expiring 31 May 2028, in classification C-61/D12 Synthetic Products, with the Sacramento address and the same (530) 903-6700 number the website uses.
• A bond and insurance on file. The CSLB record shows a $25,000 contractor's bond, a $100,000 LLC employee/worker bond, workers' compensation coverage running to 16 August 2027, and $1,000,000 of liability insurance running to 13 December 2026.
• Licenses in two more states. The site lists Nevada license 0094327 and Arizona ROC license 351501. We did not check those two numbers in the Nevada State Contractors Board or Arizona Registrar of Contractors lookups; you can, for free.
• A physical address and set hours. A published Sacramento address, a phone line and weekday office hours.
• Written policies. A two-year limited warranty, a return policy and terms of sale are published in full, including the parts that favor the company (more on those below).
• Google reviews. The site has a reviews page showing Google reviews. We don't rate our clients, and we have not repeated a review score here; read the reviews on Google directly.

The site's own guide to hiring a ceiling installer makes the same point we would: a license number on a website is worth little until you have checked it yourself, and the name on the license should match the business you are contracting with.

Faux wood beams: profiles, sizes and finishes

All beams are high-density polyurethane, hand-finished, and fixed with a cleat or blocking system that, according to the company, needs no structural reinforcement. The company lists their weight at about 1 to 3 pounds per linear foot.

Textures. The site lists 7 standard textures (Traditional, Rough Sawn, Sedona, Axed, Rift Sawn, Mojave, Distressed) and 13 custom textures (Smooth, Reclaimed, Forest, Light Rustic, Raised Grain, Alt-Raised Grain, Sandblast, Knotty Pine, Windblown, Heavy Rustic, Old Rustic, Santa Fe, Beachwood). Every I-beam style is offered in every texture.

Colors. The faux beam page shows 24 named stain colors, from Warm Gray, Nantucket and Greige through Golden Pecan, Medium Walnut and Coffee Bean to English Pub and New Black. Beyond the chart, the company matches a finish to a physical sample of your flooring, cabinetry or trim (see color matching).

Style guidance. The site describes rustic beams (deep grain, knots, simulated checking), farmhouse beams (moderate distressing, lighter or whitewashed tones), modern beams (clean lines, minimal grain), hand-hewn textures with axe marks, box-beam grids and vaulted layouts with a ridge beam and rafters. As a rule of thumb it suggests shallower beams of 4 to 6 inches deep for 8- or 9-foot ceilings and 10 to 12 inches or more for a 20-foot vaulted ceiling, with spacing that "typically ranges from 3 to 5 feet," depending on the room. Treat those as starting points; sizing and spacing are settled during design.

Indoor and outdoor. The company markets its beams as moisture-, rot- and insect-resistant and suitable for covered patios, loggias and entries. Its warranty, however, excludes "normal weathering or UV fading," and its care instructions suggest a UV-protective topcoat every 3 to 5 years depending on sun exposure. For outdoor work, ask what finish and maintenance it recommends for your exposure.

Quick-ship beams. A Quick-Ship collection lists six stocked textures (Reclaimed Axed, Reclaimed Mena, Reswan Ripped, Rustic Sawn, Salvaged Timber and Smooth) in six finishes, for jobs that can't wait for a production run. Ask for current pricing and availability.

Logs, trusses, coffered ceilings, medallions and T&G

Faux wood logs. Full-round and half-round logs in three textures adapted from Southwest styles: Adobe (warm, softened grain), Santa Fe (rough-hewn, pronounced knots) and Pueblo (smoother, subtler grain). Published specs: 6 to 16 inch diameters (custom available), lengths up to 20 feet per section with longer spans joined, and all standard beam textures can also be adapted to logs. The company also offers custom log textures to match an existing log or a specific species.

Faux trusses. Decorative truss assemblies cast from molds of real wood and fixed with construction adhesive and mechanical fasteners rather than framed in. The site shows six starting styles (rustic timber, modern, arched, mountain modern, dark stained, light rustic) and says trusses are made to the room. It notes that its own photography and a full size schedule for this line are still being prepared.

Coffered ceilings. Grid ceilings built from polyurethane components and sized to the room. Styles include a traditional square grid, rectangular or plank grid, craftsman, contemporary and a heavier "beamed grid." The company stresses that ceiling height matters more than floor area, that lighting positions should be decided while the grid is laid out, and that a coffered ceiling can often work on an 8-foot ceiling with a shallow profile. It quotes these per project.

Ceiling medallions. Polyurethane surrounds that sit where a chandelier, pendant or fan meets the ceiling and hide the mounting plate. They can be painted to disappear, picked out in a contrasting color or finished as wood. The company will recommend a size if you send the fixture width, ceiling height and a photo, and it supplies medallions for electricians to fit as well as installing them.

Tongue and groove (T&G). Boarded ceiling and wall systems in natural timber or faux wood paneling (shiplap, tongue and groove, barn plank and reclaimed profiles). The site notes that polyurethane and PVC versions are waterproof and suit bathrooms, kitchens and covered outdoor ceilings. Photography for this line is listed as coming soon.

Stretch ceilings. The company also lists stretch ceilings: a PVC or fabric membrane heated and tensioned into perimeter tracks just below the existing ceiling. Its site carries stretch ceiling cost guides for Sacramento and Phoenix and a dedicated Phoenix service page.

Other architectural pieces. The product catalog page says the full catalog also covers columns, corbels, planking, moulding, mantels, shutters and wall paneling. The catalog is sent on request rather than posted as a download.

Wall accents and wall designs

The wall line is newer and still growing; the site says its "vendor range for this line has grown considerably and the full offering is still being assembled." What is published now:

• Wall accent panels: a slatted panel in three faces (square, concave and round), each in eight finishes from pale sand to near-black.
• Wall accent designs: relief panels that run as one continuous field across a wall, in 18 patterns and a separate set of 16 finishes, often finished in two tones (one on the raised face, one behind).
• Slat and batten walls, panelled and moulded walls (wainscot and applied mouldings in architectural foam), faux wood panelling, natural wood walls, wallpaper and mural installation, and stretch fabric walls on a perimeter track.

The company says most treatments can go over existing drywall, that it checks the substrate and fixing method at the consultation, and that it will bring physical samples because photographed chips and screens vary. It quotes wall work per project.

Design, color matching and installation services

The site splits the work into three services that most projects combine:

• Design services: beam size, spacing and layout planned against the room and whatever is already in the ceiling (lighting, HVAC, sprinklers, speakers). For commercial jobs it asks for drawings or a reflected ceiling plan.
• Color matching and stain: finishes matched to a physical sample "not a chart." On a color-match project, the company says it makes a 12-inch sample section, presents it in the actual room under daylight and evening lighting, and doesn't start the full production run until you sign it off. Its terms ask for a matching sample of at least 8 by 12 inches.
• Installation: mounting, alignment and finishing by the company's crews in the regions it serves, or supply-only with installation guides and files for your own installer.

The company says design and fabrication are done in-house in Sacramento. Its terms also note that more involved design work (layouts, truss concepts or detailed architectural planning) "may involve additional service fees," so ask what is included in your quote.

Where it works, and how Arizona is handled

The company's base is 10398 Rockingham Drive #3, Sacramento, CA 95827. Its pages list seven service regions:

• Sacramento, including Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin and El Dorado Hills. The site calls this its home base for design, fabrication, finishing and installation.
• Northern California, described on the About page as within about three hours of Sacramento.
• The Bay Area.
• Southern California, which the About page says is served "through our partners."
• Lake Tahoe.
• Reno, Nevada, and surrounding areas.
• Phoenix, Arizona.

Arizona. Both company websites say the Arizona work is the same business. The main site says Arizona inquiries "are handled by our Arizona operation, which is the same company," under the same ownership and license. The Arizona site, elitedesignsaz.com, describes itself as "the Arizona site of Elite Ceiling Designs," names Foamtec, DBA Elite Ceiling Designs, and gives AZ ROC #351501. Arizona quote buttons on the main site send you there, and the Arizona phone number is (520) 838-4766. The $200 consultation fee described below applies to the main site's regions; the company says Arizona consultations "may be arranged differently."

Outside these regions. The company says supply-only work "travels more easily than installation," and its freight policy covers delivery in the continental United States, so ask if you are elsewhere.

Hours. Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed Saturday and Sunday.

How much does Elite Ceiling Designs cost?

The company does not publish a project price list. Its pricing page says: "We quote per project rather than publishing a price list, because the same room can differ by several multiples depending on what is actually being built." These are the prices it does publish:

What moves the price. According to the company: how much there is (linear feet of beam, square feet, number of grid panels), which it calls the single biggest factor; profile and size; the finish (standard, color-matched or multi-step); ceiling height and access; integration with lighting, HVAC, sprinklers and speakers; whether the job is supply-only or supplied and installed; and site conditions such as removing existing finishes.

About per-foot prices you may see. The company's cost guides publish general per-foot ranges, but the figures differ from page to page and some are material-only while others include installation. The company itself says to treat those ranges as "general orientation for a typical project, not a quote for yours." We have not repeated them here; get a written quote that says whether it is supply-only or installed.

Paying. The terms of sale say full payment is required when an order is placed, card payments are charged when the order is processed, and production isn't scheduled until payment is received. Prices exclude sales tax and shipping. The site does not mention financing. For installed home improvement work in California, the company's own hiring guide notes that state law limits what a contractor may take as a down payment, so ask how payment is scheduled on an installed job.

Getting a useful quote. Send room dimensions and ceiling height, a photo or two of the space, what you want built, whether you want it installed or supplied, and any finish it has to match. For commercial work, add drawings or a reflected ceiling plan.

How a project works, step by step

1. Get in touch. Use the contact form (it asks whether you want an in-home consultation or a free rough estimate) or call (530) 903-6700. For a rough estimate, email photos and rough measurements to jlemon@eliteceilingdesigns.com.
2. Rough estimate or consultation. A rough estimate is free. For an exact quote, a design specialist visits to measure, show material samples, talk through profiles and finishes, and prepare a written quote. The visit costs $200, paid at booking and credited to your order.
3. Design. Layout, profile, size, spacing and finish are set around the room and anything already in the ceiling.
4. Sample and approval. For a color match, a sample section is made and checked in your room before production starts.
5. Order and payment. Payment is due in full when the order is placed. Custom orders can't be cancelled once production begins.
6. Fabrication. Lead times run about 4 to 10 weeks depending on the product line (see below).
7. Delivery or installation. The company's crew installs, or the pieces ship by freight truck to you or your contractor. Inspect the delivery before signing.

Lead times, shipping and delivery

Lead times by line, as published on the product catalog page:

• Standard beams: typically about 4 to 6 weeks.
• Economy line (built to order, distinct woodgrain textures): typically 6 to 8 weeks.
• Premium lines (highly customizable): commonly 8 to 10 weeks.

Lead times come before freight, and the company says lead times on a specific component are confirmed per project. If you're on a tight schedule, ask about the quick-ship range.

Shipping. Beams travel by freight carrier, not parcel service, usually on trucks around 53 feet long, so tell the company in advance if your site has limited access. Deliveries generally arrive between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, and someone must be there to accept. You are responsible for unloading unless liftgate or equipment service is arranged ahead. Refused deliveries, redelivery, storage or a residence listed as a commercial address can add carrier charges.

Inspecting the delivery. Count the pieces, check job names and PO numbers, and note any damage on the bill of lading while the driver is there. If you can't inspect right away, write "SUBJECT TO INSPECTION" on the receipt. Freight damage is the carrier's responsibility, and the company says it can't file freight claims for customers: you file with the carrier. Hidden damage must be reported within 48 to 72 hours.

Ordering tips from the terms. Because finishes are hand-applied and vary slightly between production runs, the company recommends ordering everything for a project at once, allowing about a 10% waste factor, and ordering samples before you decide.

Warranty, returns and terms of sale

• Limited warranty: two years from the original shipment date, to the original purchaser, against defects in materials and workmanship, when installed to standard industry practice. If a defect is confirmed, the company may provide touch-up materials, replace the product or refund the purchase price. The warranty does not cover labor, removal or reinstallation, is not extended by a repair, and is not transferable.
• Warranty exclusions: improper installation, misuse or alteration, harmful chemicals, extreme heat, impact or environmental events, normal weathering or UV fading, and failure to follow building codes.
• Warranty claims: within 30 days of discovering the problem, with proof of purchase and photos, by email to jlemon@eliteceilingdesigns.com or by mail to the Sacramento address. Don't repair or replace anything before the company evaluates the claim.
• Cancellations: most products are made to order, and once production begins, orders "cannot be canceled."
• Returns: only with a Return Goods Authorization (RGA). Requests must be made within 60 days of shipment, the RGA is valid for 21 days, approved returns carry a minimum 20% processing fee, you pay return freight, and goods must arrive in resellable condition. Credit is typically processed within a week of approval.
• Liability: limited to repair, replacement or refund of the product price. The company says it is not liable for damage caused by installers, other trades or carriers.
• Governing law: California and Arizona, with courts in Sacramento or Phoenix.
• Care: clean indoors with a soft cloth, duster or mild soap; rinse outdoor pieces with low-pressure water. Avoid abrasive cleaners, bleach, ammonia, acetone, scrub brushes and power washers.

Fire ratings and building codes

The company's terms state plainly that its polyurethane products are combustible and must be installed according to national and local fire codes, keeping required clearances from fireplaces and stoves, using non-combustible borders where needed, and never on fireboxes or hearths. The terms and the faux log page both say Class A fire-rated material is available on request at the time of ordering. If your project needs a rated product (common in commercial spaces, and around fireplaces), ask for it when you order and ask for the documentation. The company says it provides fire and acoustic documentation per product and per project.

On permits, the company's FAQ says decorative beam and stretch ceiling work is usually treated as cosmetic in most places, but that adding lighting or changing anything structural may need a permit. Check with your local building department. This guide is not code or legal advice.

Can you install the beams yourself?

Yes, according to the company, for simpler jobs. It publishes an installation guide (and a downloadable PDF of its instructions) for contractors and "experienced DIYers." In outline:

1. Let the beams acclimate in the room for at least 24 hours.
2. Measure the inside width of the beam and cut 2×4 blocking to fit.
3. Mark layout lines with a chalk line.
4. Fix blocking starting about 2 feet from the wall and then every 3 to 6 feet, into joists or with toggle or molly bolts where joists don't line up.
5. Dry-fit each beam, cutting slightly long for a tight fit.
6. Fasten with finishing nails or countersunk screws, fill, and touch up.
7. Caulk where the beam meets the wall or ceiling, and blend touch-up paint in thin layers.

The tools listed are ordinary ones: drill, saw, chalk line, stud finder, tape measure, blocking, fasteners, caulk or filler. The company recommends professional installation for vaulted or high ceilings, long spans, multi-beam layouts, beam-to-beam intersections, commercial work and anything over about 10 feet high. Touch-up instructions are available on request.

Working with designers, builders and contractors

A trade partner program is open to architects, interior designers, builders, general contractors, installers and material suppliers who specify or install decorative ceiling and wall work more than once. The company describes what partners get: layout coordination against lighting, HVAC, sprinklers and speakers before ordering; finish matching to a sample; supply-only or supply-and-install; and published lead times to plan around. It works either directly for owners or as a specialty subcontractor. Commercial terms, freight and volume arrangements are agreed per account, starting from the published policies. Homeowners planning a single project are pointed to the normal inquiry form instead.

How it compares with other options

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Questions to ask before you order

1. Is this quote supply-only or supplied and installed, and what is excluded (patching, painting, fixtures, access equipment)?
2. Which legal entity will be on my contract, and does its license cover my state and the work?
3. Who will install it: your own crew or a partner? (This matters most in Southern California.)
4. Which product line is this, and what is the realistic lead time to delivery?
5. Will I approve a finish sample in my room before production starts?
6. Do I need Class A fire-rated material, and can you send the documentation?
7. For outdoor beams: what finish, topcoat and maintenance do you recommend for my sun exposure?
8. What does the warranty cover, and is there any workmanship warranty on installation labor?
9. How is payment scheduled on an installed job?

How to get started

1. Browse the project gallery, the textures and the beam profiles to narrow down a look.
2. Read how the company prices work and gather room dimensions, ceiling height and photos.
3. Ask for a free rough estimate, or book a $200 in-home consultation (credited to your order), on the contact page or by calling (530) 903-6700.
4. In Arizona, start at elitedesignsaz.com or call (520) 838-4766.
5. Trade buyers can apply through the partner program.

Visit Elite Ceiling Designs

Terms you'll see on the site

• High-density polyurethane: the rigid foam the beams, logs, trusses and medallions are cast from, molded from real wood and then finished.
• Box beam (U-channel): a three-sided hollow beam that slips over blocking fixed to the ceiling.
• Blocking or cleat: wood strips fixed to the ceiling that the hollow beam mounts over.
• I-beam: a profile with a top plate, vertical web and bottom flange, like a steel beam.
• Cellular (castellated) beam: an I-beam with round openings cut in the web.
• Coffered ceiling: a ceiling divided into a grid of recessed panels framed by crossing beams.
• Ceiling medallion: a molded surround where a light fixture or fan meets the ceiling.
• T&G: tongue and groove boards that interlock into a continuous surface.
• Stretch ceiling: a PVC or fabric membrane tensioned into perimeter tracks below the existing ceiling.
• Class A: the interior-finish class with the lowest flame spread; the company offers Class A material on request.
• RGA: Return Goods Authorization, the number required before any return.
• BOL: bill of lading, the delivery receipt where damage must be noted.
• C-61/D12: the California license classification for synthetic products contractors.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

All pages checked on 19 October 2026.

1. Elite Ceiling Designs, home page and site footer: eliteceilingdesigns.com
2. About us: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/about-us
3. Contact and consultation fee: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/contact
4. Pricing and quotes: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/pricing
5. Services and service areas: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/services
6. Company facts file: eliteceilingdesigns.com/llms.txt
7. Product pages: faux wood beams, beam textures, beam profiles, faux logs, faux trusses, coffered ceilings, ceiling medallions, T&G, wall accents, wall designs, quick-ship beams
8. Product catalog and lead times: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/product-catalog
9. Commercial ceilings: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/commercial-ceilings
10. Installation guide: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/installation-guide-for-faux-wood-beams
11. Downloads: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/downloads
12. Terms & Conditions of Sale: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/terms-conditions-of-sale
13. Return policy: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/return-policy
14. Shipping and freight policy: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/shipping-information-and-freight-policy
15. Trade partner program: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/become-a-partner
16. FAQ: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/faq
17. Hiring a ceiling installer: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/hiring-a-ceiling-installer
18. Reviews page: eliteceilingdesigns.com/pages/reviews
19. Elite Ceiling Designs AZ, About: elitedesignsaz.com/about/
20. California Contractors State License Board, license 1065307: cslb.ca.gov license detail