Precast Columns; Pillars Of Strength.

So, you are interested in adding a touch of classical elegance to your home with a precast column & caps. To create the Mediterranean look.

That’s going to include sifting through various styles and figuring out what is best suited to your space. Whether you are shopping for decorative front porch columns for a remodelling project or your new house, the criteria are pretty much the same.

In the past, my clients have been very creative with the ways in which they have referred to a precast column & caps, but knowing the exact term isn’t crucial. I’m going to show you how pictures and drawings clarify these ideas and get you exactly what you’re envisioning.

Precast column & Caps In a colonnade
A colonnade with clusters of columns, showing how additional detailing at the caps and bases can overcome other issues.

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There Are So Many, When Choosing A Precast Column & Caps

The world of stone columns is vast and diverse. The most common type? The tapered column. It’s a classic choice for a reason. But if straight lines are more your style, straight shaft columns could be the answer. And for something a bit more unique, the Solomonic, or ‘barley-sugar’ columns, bring an artistic twist. And there are still more…. square, barrel, fluted, and I expect I have missed some. It’s pretty wild how a simple design change can alter the look and feel of a column—and by extension, your home.

The diameter of precast column & caps isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s primarily about structural needs, not because they hold the building up, no it’s because the requests are for specific diameters to fit over structural steel columns that do hold the building up—especially for those porch columns. That means that the precast column & caps must be chosen early on to ensure everything fits and aligns perfectly with the steel support structures.

Now, I know this sounds overwhelming. And you might be wondering, ‘Do I really need to think about this now?’ Yes, and here’s why: Addressing these considerations early in the design phase can save you from headaches down the road, like with alignment issues or having to make last-minute changes to the steel fabrications. Believe me, a little bit of planning early goes a long way when installing stone columns.

Precast Column & caps. Here all the structural steels are in place.
Before the stonework has begun. Showing the rows of steels to be considered.

Selecting the Perfect Stone Columns: Bases, Capitals, and Installation

Choosing the right precast column & caps for your home isn’t a decision to make lightly; it impacts both the aesthetics and the integrity of your design. Let’s explore the bases and capitals that can beautifully cap off your columns. If you adore the ancient charm of classical architecture, you might lean towards bases and capitals from the Tuscan, Doric, Corinthian, Ionic, or Composite orders.

Less Common Capitals

Don’t forget, there are also Scamozzi and Temple of the Winds styles that might just be the unique touch you’re seeking. Or you might want to design one just for your own home, I have been requested to do this several times in my career. Sometimes minor changes or additional details have to be thought of to overcome onsite conditions which stem back to the early design stage, or other factors not considered.

Are There Any Balustrade Systems?

In some cases the overall heights may cause a rethink, or balustrades may be going to be fitted, whether iron or cast stone, it may be wise to think about adding newell posts and caps to let the balustrades die into them with a strong anchoring points or they will extend the height of your precast column & caps and add a little flair in the process.

Another very important point is to know the size of the soffit area where these columns are intended to sit as you may need to choose, the size of the shaft dictates the cap size, so then normal a cap can be chosen to fit your soffit. The Doric capital has the least additional space requirements at the soffit, whereas the Corinthian style needs far more space.

There are creative ways to make things happen should the numbers not work. It should be noted that different manufacturers can quite commonly have different interior core sizes on their precast column & caps & bases. And the overall size of their bases and caps could be different too, so ask for confirmation and a shop drawing.

Precast column & caps, here is pictured a select of the common capitals
Photo showing the 6 most common types of capitals with their names.

A Precast Column & Caps Check List

So now below we have the most important points to consider.

  1. Size and position of any structural steel columns
  2. Size of the existing soffit and its alignment with the steel column.
  3. the style of shaft needed to suit your conditions.
  4. Style of capital to suit the space available.
  5. Is there a need for further detailing with stonework at the capital or base area?

However, it’s not just all about looks. I’ve seen clients get wrapped up in the visual aspects but forget about practical considerations. Here’s a tip: always discuss your vision in the context of your project’s timeline and budget. Custom designs can be stunning, but they also come with longer lead times and possibly quite costly additional mould costs. Make sure you’re okay with the wait and the expense.

Precast column & caps. Several columns are shown her in an entry colonnade
Several columns form a covered colonnade to a sales center.

Structural Covers

I’ve mentioned previously that some columns are purely decorative, while others serve to cover a structural purpose, discreetly housing steel support beams. It really matters to get this distinction right. Why? Because improper planning could send you back to the drawing board, incurring added costs and delays. The inner diameter of the precast column & caps need to fit with at least a little space to spare over any structural supports, so accurate measurements are critical, not just for height, but for the position also. So contractors need to know early to hopefully avert issues like this.

Installing Precast Column & Caps

Finally, when it comes to installation, achieving alignment with steel support columns is non-negotiable. If there’s even a slight misalignment or if the structural steel needs adjustments, you’ll want to know early. Your design might even call for several columns in a line, like in a colonnade. Consult with your architect or contractor to avoid any last-minute surprises. Remember, getting stone columns is as much about their application as it is about their visual appeal.

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Rob

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