Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Decorate Your Home With Architectural Columns

Incorporating architectural columns to your home is one of the best ways to make it look more appealing. Columns could add a classic feel to any part of your house, whether you use it for your interiors or on your porch. Choose from different designs and give your home character with these fixtures.

The main purpose of columns is to transmit the weight of the structure above it to structural elements below, like the ground or another floor. Structural square columns form the backbone of your home, providing main support for the rest of its elements. Manufacturers create decorated versions of these pillars to make them look visually appealing, since most of them will be visible in your home after construction.

Modern-day pillars also serve as decorative pieces. They could be independent pieces that support a decorative arch on your doorway. You may also see some pieces attached to the wall. Porch columns serve both as decorative pieces and as additional structural support for your roof.

Cylindrical and square columns have three parts. The cap or capital is the topmost portion of a column. It is wider than the pillar itself, allowing it to hold the weight of an arch, a roof, or another floor. These come in Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite styles. Choose a Doric or Tuscan cap for a simple look, or try a Corinthian cap for an elaborate effect. The pillar is straight at the bottom and tapers slightly to the top. Tapering prevents deformations due to the load it bears. Pillars come in plain or fluted designs. High-end stone or hardwood columns have carvings on them. Finally, choose between a Tuscan and a Doric base to complete your column.

Classical columns use different materials like stone, marble, and precious metals to create pillars for ancient buildings. Today, manufacturers still use these for high-end structures, but they also use treated wood, fiberglass, and PVC if you want competitively priced units. These are easier to produce and are more resistant to deterioration without costing you much. Choose plain units for a simple and minimalistic feel, or go for elaborately designed ones that mimic high-end classical architectural columns.

Think of the purpose of your pillars before selecting materials. Hardwood, stone and marble are tough, and they work well for supporting heavy weight. Fiberglass and PVC are lightweight materials. They have a limited carrying capacity and are better for decorative purposes. Find units that are weatherproof and insect-proof. Check that each unit has no weak spots, ensuring it can support the weight you will put on it. Make sure the manufacturers meet the latest building code standards.

Find pillars that are easy to install and paint. Some vendors provide units primed for painting. Find out if your supplier has these products and remember not to sand it before painting. Finally, choose suppliers offering lifetime warranty on their products. This will let you save on repairs or buying a new column if something happens to your units.

Give your home a classical feel by installing columns. Find a reliable supplier and design your own pillars today.



This article is brought to you by SINGLES.

1 comment:

  1. You should be sure you measure the space you have available for your railing exactly before installing.This will help minimize error.

    Columns

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