Wood, like all organic materials, will rot over time with exposure to the exterior elements. Water close to the base and or ice buildup are very hard on columns. The natural propensity for wood to act like what it was - a tree. Through osmosis, water is graduated upwards from the base of the shaft cell by cell to the top of the column. Even though the wood has been kiln dried, it still wants to be a tree again! As time goes on, the bottom of columns will absorb more water and will begin to rot; thus weakening the support of the columns. There is little that can be done to repair existing columns as the rot usually progresses extensively up the shaft. The type of wood is important as well. Pine works outside but a cedar or redwood is much better. Other species like maple or oak woods poor exterior woods.

Columns have been a viable option for adding design and structure to buildings for centuries. The history behind columns goes back to the beginning of architecture, and so does their customization features. Columns can be built round or square, plain or fluted, tapered or non-tapered.

One of the best ways to spruce up your home is to incorporate columns--indoors or out, custom columns add style and elegance in a relatively small project. When you look at Pinterest or home magazines for inspiration, you'll notice that columns come in a huge range of options, from simple round spindles to layered and decorative designs. The more ornate columns are all custom made--something that seems extravagant but in reality is nothing more than mixing and matching.

When investing in a space, it's important to know the differences in what you're potentially purchasing, as well as the reasons you might choose one over another. One common choice in the decision-making process is choosing between millwork and casework.

Everybody wants to build their own home--from the first settlers in the Colonies through westward expansion--there's something iconically American about building a house. Whether it's a two room cabin on the prairie or a mountainous retreat, we love the idea of building something. The building dream usually crashes into the reality of construction, and most potential home builders become home buyers instead--choosing to purchase an existing home, or new builder construction.

As indoor-outdoor living has become a more popular lifestyle, homebuyers are once again asking (demanding) for a front porch. And why not? They are a multifunctional space that frames the home's entrance while providing instant curb appeal. Similar to all major home-improvement projects, a good plan is vital. Here is a look at some of the key things to consider when designing the perfect front porch.  

Our column builder tool has allowed us to monitor which column material is the most popular. To our surprise, wood is chosen quite often. Wood is not always the best solution for most projects however. Fiberglass columns have become the most widely used column material in todays building industry and here is why.

Few architectural terms can cause as much confusion as the word corbel. What is a corbel? Is it the same as a bracket? We will get there. The first thing you need to understand about corbels is that they date back to the origins of architecture itself; one could even say corbels put the arch in architecture. Their versatility, value, and function cannot be understated hence why we see different forms of corbels in almost every style of architecture around the world. They can be so associated with the buildings they reinforce that by looking at these corbels we can date buildings and identify their architectural style. Here is a brief look at the crazy world of corbels.

Ordering fiberglass columns can be overwhelming and mind-boggling when you have no idea what you should be buying in the first place.  Questions with regards to quality, manufacturer reputation, column longevity, warranty, materials and shipping come to mind. No worries, we have come up with a list of 10 questions you should ask your manufacturer when purchasing columns.