Design Questions

 How Big Should a Column be ?

 Tapered vs Non-Tapered Columns

 B) Custom Questions 

 Can I specify custom Sizes on Hardwood columns

 Can I use any wood outside?

 Can I specify custom Fiberglass Columns ?

 How to measure the bottom of a column shaft

 C) Load Bearing vs Decorative

 Difference between column wrap and load bearing columns

 Install Questions for Hardwood

  A1) DESIGN FAQ

  Simple Answer: 

  Most people undersize their columns, creating a pole effect

  on a porch or deck area.

   It is important to maintain a design ratio between the

   columns size and the house or office as seen in the photo.

  A2) DESIGN FAQ

  Simple Answer: 

  For modernism Non-tapered will look like posts.  This provides a simple look

  to a facade or deck structure.

  For a traditional look use Tapered Columns. 

  The taper provides the visual distortion necessary for the column to look proper.

  Keeping within the design principles of  PHi, ie "the golden rule"  there should be approximately

  a 1/3rd to 2/3rd ratio variation between the top of the column and the bottom diameter. 

  Example:  Top diameter of the shaft is 10", the bottom is 16", height 10 Feet

  The taper should stop 2/3rds down the shaft, then go straight to the bottom. 

  This can vary per manufacturer.   On a 10 Feet high shaft the taper would stop

  approximately at the 7-1/2 Feet level.   Using the calculation of Phi .618 the taper

  would stop at 6.18 Feet level, then go straight.  The use of the 2/3 - 1/3 rule

  is mostly used by manufacturers rather than true Phi.  

  B1) Custom FAQ 

  Regardless of species, any hardwood column can be

  custom made.

  You can

  a) Specify the exact height within 1/8" 

  b) Specify the diameter on round columns

  c) On tapered columns specify the Entasis or variance

      between the top of  the shaft and the bottom of the shaft. 

      Most columns are made to a 2/3rd taper and a 1/3rd straight

      to the bottom.   

  d) Split hardwood columns can be ordered for post wrap

      or pilaster (engaged) column applications.

       Remember the walls are approximately 1-1/2" thick on

       either side when considering post wrap.

  e) Refer to our page - click below for the post wrap page

  B2) CustomFAQ

    For historic homes, Imperial

   offers exact duplication of

   rotted columns.

  No.  The following woods are good for outside use.

  Pine:  This wood has inherent properties to ward off rot.

  Knotty Pine:  Before painting Knotty Pine you need to seal the 

  knots with shellac to avoid the knots from bleeding any

  remaining sap in the wood. 

  Western Red Cedar:  Like pine it has inherent anti rotting

  chemicals in the wood.

 White Oak: 

  It is the hardest wood that we offer making it very strong.

  The issue of white oak is that it will turn grey and dark overtime. 

  B3) Custom FAQ

  Yes

  Our FiberCompTM Series is the only Fiberglass that can be customized. 

  They are available in Square or Round sizes. 

  You can specify the height and variable cuts for post wrap or pilaster application.

  Select from inside corners, outside corners, wall wraps, or engaged variations. 

  Remember any split column ceases to be load bearing. 

  This applies to Round and Square columns

  B4) DESIGN FAQ

 Take a string wrap the bottom of the shaft and provide us with the length of the string which

 is the circumference of the shaft to sit on the base.  The base top flat should be 1/2" larger than

 the shaft bottom.

  C1) Custom FAQ

  Column wraps are purely decorative. They must be big enough to encapsulate load bearing posts.

  Select from Split for Post Wrap.

  Load Bearing columns stand alone and all weight must be centered.  Regardless of thickness of

   the wall, the load is determined by science by the manufacturer's testing and declaration.

  C2) Custom FAQ

  Hardwood Columns are sold as decorative columns rather than load bearing

  They are not intended to be load bearing although they do hold load on the 1-1/2" wide walls.  

  You can order hardwood columns to be load  bearing with a solid wood core.   

  Consult with your own structural engineer for load capacity on your project and local codes.  

  Hardwood can be ordered split for post wrap.   Use our construction adhesive to join the sections

  together.  Cover the seam with plastic wood sand and stain or paint.

 If columns need to be prepared for outside use

 <= Here is a helpful article 

  C3) Custom FAQ

FiberCompTM & PolyCompTM are composite fiberglass columns.  Primarily made from Calcium Carbonate, Polymer Resins and Fiberglass.   They are rated by manufacturing as load bearing columns.  Like Fiberglass they are hollow. Their wall thickness has no bearing on the load bearing capacity as stated by the manufacturer. They can be filled with insulation to reduce any hollow sound. PolyCompTM columns cannot be customized while FiberCompTM can be ordered to size and split variations.  Check with your structural engineer for load requirements

  For split columns for post wrap use Poly Spackling

  or Bondo to cover the seam and construction adhesive. 

 If columns need to be prepared for outside use

 <= Here is a helpful article 

  C4) Custom FAQ

  Fiberglass are a lighter weight and offered in large sizes for load bearing column.

  They are rated up to 20,000 lbs set with a center down load.

  Load Bearing weight are determined by diameter and  science.  They can be customized

  in both square and round sizes.   They can be customized

  for larger sizes where as PolyCompTM & FiberCompTM cannot be made in larger sizes.

  They can be filled with insulation inside to reduce any hollow sound.

  For split columns for post wrap use Poly Spackling

  or Bondo to cover the seam and construction adhesive. 

  C5) Custom FAQ

  Hardwood Columns are sold as decorative columns only. 

  They are not intended to be load bearing although they do hold load on the 1-1/2" wide walls.  

  You can order hardwood columns to be load  bearing with a solid wood core.   

  Rely on your structural engineer for advise. They are fully customizable.

 If columns need to be prepared for outside use

 <= Here is a helpful article 

  C6) Custom FAQ

ArchPolymerTM is a synthetic wood.  It is rot, inspect and water resistant with the same consistency as White Pine.   They come primed and are ready to paint.  They do not hold any load and are purely decorative.   Available in Square and Round.  There is no customization but the bottom of the shafts can be cut.  They can be filled with insulation  inside to reduce any  hollow sound.

  C7) Custom FAQ

 StoneMoldTM is a finished interior column. 

  They are custom made as per order with a variety of finishes. 

  ZeamentTM is a finished exterior column. 

  They are custom made as per order with a variety of finishes.   

 Both are made from molds and there is no customization except for height. 

 There is a seam or reveal on these columns. They can be foamed inside to reduce any hollow sound.

  D1) Custom FAQ

  PolyCompTM, FiberCompTM & Fiberglass - Round & Square Columns Install Notes

   It is vital that the substrata be strong enough to support

  a) the weight of the columns

  b) dead structural loads applied (ie 2nd floor or deck)

  c) horizontal loads such as wind and earthquake

  d) variable loads such as snow or ice    

 There must be an adequate foundation poured from

 concrete to hold the types of  loads as described.

 Portland cement is advised and depths vary per locale. 

  For a poured patio around the columns employ

 rebar in the concrete for support and avoid cracking

  The Pad. 

   Create a pad for the column shaft to sit on.

   Ensure it is perfectly level.   This pad is separate from

   the poured patio so that it has an independent foundation.

 Install a gasket around each pad before adding the

 concrete deck - the black material as shown in the

 photo beside stops pressure of expansion or contraction.

  D2) Custom FAQ

  PolyCompTM, FiberCompTM & Fiberglass  - Round & Square Columns Install Notes

 If columns need to be cut in length always trim them from the

 bottom of the shaft using an abrasive saw blade.  Make sure the

 cut is even on all sides so that the shaft sits plumb on the substrata.

 <= Here is a helpful YouTube Video

  D3) Custom FAQ

  PolyCompTM, FiberCompTM & Fiberglass -  Round & Square Columns Install Notes

 In order to slide the columns into place use loly or jack posts to

 temporarily hold the load of the lintel above. 

 Once secure and slightly higher than the shaft to be put in place,

 slide the columns into place on the level foundations. 

 When the temporary post is removed the lintel will lower

 ever so slightly on the dead middle of the shaft. 

  D4) Custom FAQ

  PolyCompTM, FiberCompTM & Fiberglass - Round & Square Columns Install Notes

Load bearing columns are those that are Whole and NOT split for reassembly or pilaster applications. Once split they cease to be load bearing.   

If the columns are sold as load bearing they are rated by the manufacturer and all static and non static loads should be assessed by the architect or structural engineer. Always have your project inspected by the City.  

It is vital during placement of the shaft that it is placed directly DEAD CENTER to the dead load applied (ie the lintel).

Load is borne on the shaft not the capitals or bases as the free float. Any variation to the application center load will subject the column shaft to an uneven amount of weight on one side of  the shaft resulting in possible breakage or cracking.

Also ensure that 100% of the bottom of the shaft is sitting evenly on the substrata. 

  D5) Custom FAQ

  PolyCompTM, FiberCompTM & Fiberglass - Round & Square Columns Install Notes

The base: 

Once the shaft is in place slide the base up the shaft about 1 foot up the shaft and wedge it temporarily with a shim.

To prevent horizontal movement from winds and earthquake it is necessary to secure the bottom of the shaft to the substrata.  We  recommend consulting with Simpson Strong Ties for your particular application. "L" angle iron are not a wind uplift device.   You can leave the base detached or use silicon to secure them to the substrata.

The Capital:  

As stated before the load is borne on the shaft only. The capital is purely decorative and should be attached with screws by pre-drilling a pilot hole and counter sinking screws on 4 sides.

  Cover the screw head with poly Spackling Compound or in the case of fiberglass car Bondo.

  D6) Custom FAQ

  PolyCompTM, FiberCompTM & Fiberglass - Round & Square Columns Install Notes

  Once in place, we recommend using a wet wash cloth to remove any surface dirt.  Once dried

  use 200 grit sandpaper to remove any raised areas.   Remove any powder with a damp cloth.

   Filling:  We recommend Poly Spackling Compound or Paintable exterior caulking

  Painting:  Today's modern paints do not require primer as they are paint & primer together. 

  We have had a good response with Behr high end Marquee paint/primer.  Follow all instructions

  on the tin.   Use a spongy roller for multiple coats, allowing the paint to dry in between coats.  

  E1) Custom FAQ

Hardwood Columns

These are sold as decorative columns only.  They are not intended to be load bearing although they do hold load on the 1-1/2" wide walls.   You can order hardwood columns to be load bearing with a solid wood core.    Rely on your structural engineer for advise.

Hardwood Bases:

These are load bearing as they are made from solid wood staves.  Use exterior woods like Pine, White Oak, Western Red Cedar for Bases.  They are made from two parts a square and a round section. All parts can be customized.

 If columns need to be prepared for outside use

 <= Here is a helpful article 

  How to Order Products  1-800-399-7585     416-264-6096  

   COPYRIGHT  MRDCI Martin Richards Design and Contracting Inc, Martin Richards DesignTM 

     and Imperial Productions®                                                        Feb 2018  all rights reserved