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Norwich columns are a fantastic way to add charm and elegance to your porch design. Your neighbors will have a hard time believing it’s not the work of a mason. Crafted from molds made of actual stone, these columns provide your home’s exterior with a stunning look, and will greatly enhance curb appeal. View Product. Front Porch Pillars, House Pillars, Front Porch Design, Front Porch Posts, Porch With Columns, Front Deck, Stone Veneer Exterior, Stone Veneer Panels, House.
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Columns serve the important purpose of supporting the roof over a porch that may be closed-in or open-air. They also play a major role in the exterior appearance of your home. Different types of columns are reminiscent of different home styles. Some materials used for porch columns are wood, fiberglass, aluminum and stone. Due to the weight columns support, good quality materials are essential.
Wood
Prefabricated wood columns often come with intricate carvings that add shape, but smooth, straight-sided columns are always an option. Wood is strong and versatile allowing for various finishes. You can paint or stain wood columns to match the exterior appearance of the home or place on top of a stone or brick base for an entirely different look. Common woods for porch columns are mahogany, poplar, cherry, pine, oak, maple and redwood. If you plan to paint the columns, pine or cedar take paint better than some other choices. If you purchase or build hollow wood columns, you must vent both the top and bottom of the column to prevent moisture buildup and wood-rot.
Fiberglass
Manufacturers of fiberglass columns produce columns similar to wood in appearance, such as round, square, ridged or smooth. Fiberglass resists impact, weather, moisture and insects. Good quality fiberglass columns take paint well and are available as a wrap-around for existing support columns. Its main advantage over wood is that fiberglass requires little maintenance.
Aluminum
Aluminum porch columns are available in various styles and often cost a great deal less that other options. This type of column is strong enough for load-bearing applications and comes pre-painted. Aluminum is not as impact-resistant as wood or fiberglass but it is lightweight, making it easier for do-it-yourselfers to install them. You'll need a hacksaw or a handheld rotary tool equipped with a 1 1/2-inch fiberglass reinforced cut-off wheel accessory to cut aluminum columns to the right length to fit the height of your porch.
Other Options
Brick columns add character and curb appeal to brick-faced or accented homes. Brick is less costly than natural stone but often more costly than wood, fiberglass or aluminum. Wrought iron, whether simple or elegant, is appealing to some homeowners with certain home styles. Some Victorian homes have decorative wrought iron porch railings, columns and accent pieces throughout the exterior.
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