I admired the white clapboard houses with wide front porches and lovely columns while riding my bike through a beach community the other day. Many of the houses were in excellent shape, while others needed repair. One house in particular caught my eye: two crude boards stood next to the beautiful yet worn columns, supporting the porch roof. I wondered if there might be a way to replace the worn out columns with ones equally beautiful yet more durable. I decided to do some research on columns to find out.
Column defined
A column is an upright pillar or post that serves functional and/or decorative purposes. Functional columns typically support beams or arches. Columns have their own vocabulary. The lower portion of a column is called the base. The upper portion is called the capital. The shaft extends vertically between the capital and the base. The horizontal structure that the column supports (a beam, for example) is called the entablature.
Architectural columns
Classic Greek architecture employed columns thousands or years ago. Early columns were made of wood or stone. Three styles dominated: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Doric is the simplest of the styles, while the Corinthian is the most ornate.
Modern columns are fabricated out of steel, poured concrete, brick, or structural vinyl or polyurethane. They may or may not be wrapped with a decorative veneer. Columns used today either follow the classic or styles or have simpler, more modern styles. Interior and exterior columns are popular architectural elements in new and remodeled homes.
Modern durable materials
Vinyl columns are both attractive and durable. They are lightweight and strong and are easy to cut. Vinyl columns are maintenance-free and last a lifetime. They never rot, crack, yellow, or splinter. They never need painting. While the materials are different than those used centuries ago, the styles are the same classic designs used in ancient times.
Polyurethane box columns are both decorative and functional. Homeowners use them as decorative accents both inside and outside of the house. Because they are reinforced with steel, they are strong and durable. Unlike wood, polyurethane columns never rot or splinter or become infested with bugs. Low maintenance columns just need periodic painting.
Porch posts
Porch posts are similar to columns, but smaller in scale. They are perfect in situations where columns are more substantial than the structure requires. A strong vinyl porch post has an aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel keepers for a snug fit. Because of the vinyl, the porch posts are free of maintenance and are not subject to rot or bug infestation.
Column wraps
Where columns are used for appearance only, column wraps, also called post wraps, are the perfect solution. Column wraps envelop wood posts for a more attractive look. Plus, manufactured materials such as vinyl and PVC protect wood from wind, rain, and insect damage.
Attractive and durable
My research answered my question. Columns made from modern durable materials can replace worn wood columns without losing the beauty and charming appearance of older architectural designs.
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Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon
International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2009 (Tue Jul 28 2009)
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