How To Build Wooden Columns For The Outside?

This video demonstrates the process of building front porch columns using PVC boards and a mahogany rail cap. Jeff and Kevin show how to customize decorative columns with a mahogany rail cap for the front porch. The farmhouse-style home features simple white wooden columns, while the video explains how to add instant curb appeal with DIY porch columns.

To convert plain columns with a rectangular profile to craftsman-style columns, add a substantially broader plinth as a base for the column, roughly chair rail. Updating or adding porch columns in your home’s exterior design is a great way to bring in attractive structure. There are many materials to consider, including steel, iron, wood, stone, brick, or some other materials.

To create stunning wood columns, measure the height of your porch columns and cut 4- 1x6s to that size. Place glue on one side of the 1x6s and nail onto the sides of the columns at the desired height.

To create wood-wrapped porch posts, follow these steps: cut PVC boards, attach them to the Cedar Post, attach trim, sand, and stain and seal. This step-by-step guide will help you update your home’s exterior by adding wood-wrapped porch columns to enhance your home’s curb appeal.

What is the best wood to wrap porch posts with?

Cedar is an affordable and weather-resistant wood option for porch posts, offering advantages such as staining and weather resistance. However, it is vulnerable to bug infestations, rot, and has a short shelf-life. Cedar can split, crack, and be damaged by weather, making it more expensive than faux wood alternatives. Additionally, it requires proper maintenance and is more expensive than other wood alternatives. Therefore, it is essential to choose a suitable wood for your porch post wrap.

How do you weatherproof wood posts?

To set up a fence post, dig a hole twice the diameter of the post and as deep as your frost line, checking with local building codes. Fill the first three inches with gravel to prevent the end of the post from coming into contact with the dirt. Place the post in the center of the hole and fill the entire hole with cement to the top. This will hold the fence firmly in place and prevent lateral movement.

For added protection, dome the top of the concrete so it slopes away from the post to divert water. For professional fence installation services, contact Mr. Handyman to ensure your fence is constructed securely and built to last.

How do you seal outdoor wood columns?

Outdoor furniture can be waterproofed using sealants like varnish and lacquer, which offer protection against water and moisture. These products can be applied by brushing or spraying and require only a few minutes to dry. Before applying sealant, remove any past finishes to ensure the new coating is fully absorbed. A combination of stain and sealants can be used to enhance the wood’s health and ensure weatherproofing.

Reapplying these products every year may be necessary to maintain the quality of the outdoor wood. Color options for re-staining outdoor furniture depend on personal style, with popular wood stain colors being the most popular.

How do I keep my wooden porch posts from rotting?

To protect fence posts from moisture penetration, apply a high-quality water-repellent sealer to the entire surface, including the ends, to create a barrier and reduce the risk of rot. Consider applying a stain or paint to the posts, which enhances aesthetic appeal and provides additional protection against moisture and UV damage. Choose a stain or paint specifically designed for outdoor use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Establish a regular maintenance schedule for reapplying sealant or stain, reapplying every 2-3 years or as needed, depending on the wood type, climate conditions, and exposure to elements.

How do you keep wooden columns from rotting?

To protect your columns from rotting over time, avoid drilling air holes in the bottom of the shafts, priming and painting the shafts, placing the column plinth on aluminum plinths or synthetic bases, using a recessed soffit for capital, and using copper flashing on the capital. Wood, like all organic materials, will rot over time due to exposure to exterior elements, such as water and ice buildup. The natural propensity for wood to act like a tree, absorbing more water and causing rot, weakens the column’s support.

Repairing existing columns is difficult as the rot usually progresses up the shaft. The type of wood is also important, with cedar or redwood being better for outdoor use. Warning signs of rotting columns include mold or algae growth, cracks, a sunken base, and separation of stair segments.

To prolong the lifespan of your columns, consider the type of wood used, as rotting is more likely on outdoor wood columns. However, with the right care and maintenance, wood columns can last a long time.

What’s the best thing to put on wood to keep it from rotting?

Wood oil and wood waterproofer are two types of wood treatments that offer water repellent properties without altering the appearance of the wood. Wood oil nourishes the wood and replaces natural oils, while waterproofers chemically bond with the wood’s pores to provide water repellent properties. Both treatments require 2-3 coats and can be oil-based or water-based. Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer, developed with advanced super hydrophobic technology, provides the best protection against rotting, organic growth, and discoloration caused by wet exterior wood.

It lines the wood’s pores, allowing water to pass through without sealing them, resulting in ultra-water-repellent properties and high breathability. This prevents rotting, discolouration, organic growth, and UV degradation, extending the wood’s lifespan and protecting it from weathering. The product’s chemical bonding prevents the creation of a film on the timber’s surface, ensuring maximum durability in any weather conditions. Independent testing on the product showed no change in performance or appearance over 25 years of weathering.

How to stop wooden posts from rotting in the ground?

Wooden fence posts can rot due to various reasons, including prolonged exposure to moisture in the earth and insufficient protection against it. To prevent rot, it is essential to select the best lumber for the job, DIY treat your fence posts, add a gravel drainage level, opt for a stronger fence post material, and use Postsaver® Sleeves.

To protect your fence post from rot, consider using cost-efficient methods like installing Postsaver® Sleeves. DIY treatment can help prevent rot, while adding a gravel drainage level can help prevent groundwater absorption. Opting for a stronger fence post material and using Postsaver® Sleeves can also help prevent mold and decomposition.

In summary, selecting the best lumber for your project and implementing cost-efficient methods like DIY treatment, gravel drainage level, and stronger fence post material can help prevent rot and maintain a neat and tidy home.

How much weight can a wooden column support?

The wood round column load-bearing chart presents data regarding the dimensions, diameter, length, and capacity in pounds of the aforementioned column.

What is the load capacity of a 2×4 column?

A 2×4 is typically capable of bearing several thousand pounds of compressive load in a single direction. However, the combined capacity of three 2x4s, when nailed together, is not necessarily three times that of a single 2×4.

What kind of wood do you use for exterior columns?

Turned porch posts are made from various wood species, including redwood, cedar, and pine. Redwood and cedar are durable and rot-resistant, while pine is less expensive and resistant to rot. Pine is also free of knots and heavy grain patterns, making it ideal for painting.

To prevent rotting, use primer and paint on the posts, applying a couple of coats of quality acrylic exterior paint. Install aluminum plinths or quick-mount brackets to allow airflow under the column or post, ensuring proper installation and moisture protection. Additionally, use an exterior caulking sealant if the bottom of the post has a flat base or is prone to water collection. This sealant helps prevent damage by filling in any cracks and preventing rainwater from entering the wooden structures.

By following these steps, you can significantly increase the longevity of your porch posts and columns. Proper care and maintenance can significantly increase the longevity of your wooden porch posts and columns.

Should I use pressure treated wood for porch columns?

Pressure treated wood is a durable material that resists fungus, microorganisms, termites, and water for decades. It may appear green due to a chemical reaction with preservatives, but it’s safe to install around your home without worrying about pollutants. Burning the wood releases harmful toxins, so it’s best to wait one to three months before applying paint or stain. Some pressure treated lumber also has a water-resistant coating to prevent warping.