merosexualman

Faux Stone Column

Butler, PA (PRWEB) May 2, 2008

Manufacturing improvements have made the newest generation of simulated or faux stone columns and faux stone wall fence panels very realistic, sturdy and light. “It looks like high-end masonry but without the high-end cost” said Larry Galbreath of Penn Fencing, Inc., a dealer/distributor for both Landmark Faux Stone Landscape Columns and Simtek Faux Stone Fence Panels. “The new faux stone products can dramatically improve a home’s curb appeal while costing up to 75% less than actual masonry.”

Building a conventional stone or masonry column requires a large excavation, and then a concrete footer must be poured. A cement block column is built over the footer and then a rock veneer is applied. Finally, a large stone column cap is put on the top of the column. A project like that can cost anywhere from ,500 – ,000 per stone column. What’s more, it may be difficult to find a qualified mason to do the job correctly.

With a faux stone decorative column, you can dig and set a treated 4×4 into the ground as you would a regular support post. The faux column fits over the wood post and a faux stone column cap is secured with the supplied adhesive. Fence panels are attached to the columns to finish the project. The cost will be anywhere from 0 – 0 per column depending upon style. These decorative columns can be easily and quickly installed by a homeowner or anyone equipped with basic tools and construction experience. Faux stone columns simulate various finishes such as cement, sand stone, granite and brick.

Faux stone panels simulate a granite rock wall and also have a fine masonry look at about half the price. The panels can be easily installed much like you would a conventional wood or vinyl fence. The faux stone panels come in various colors of artificial granite to match other features of your property. They are all virtually maintenance free and can be cleaned quickly with soap and water. According to Galbreath, “When you compare the cost and ease of installation with traditional masonry work, the new faux stone products are a win-win for homeowners.”

###

More Columns Press Releases

Kitchen, bath trends on display at Summit Parade of Homes
Kitchen and bath design trends in this year’s 2010 Summit Parade of Homes offer an array of different design styles and ideas. Creating spaces like the “Heart of the Home” have become very important to homeowners and builders because it is the place where we spend most of our time. Whether it is entertaining, relaxing or creating a magnificent meal (even if it is simple) we want our spaces to be …
Read more on Summit Daily News

Digital trends point to novel customer engagement
MANILA, Philippines – Emerging digital thoughts and trends point out to the need for holistic media plans that speak customers’ language and give them richer experience in a colliding digital-analog world.
Read more on ABS-CBNNEWS.com

by Swamibu

Enhance Your Porch With Porch Columns

Nothing beats the look of porch columns on a house whether you have them standing alone or built into the design of the porch. With the wide array of styles, you can choose from different columns rather than stick to the common and basic design. Four of the most beautiful column styles you can have for your porch are:

- Doric columns have parallel grooves on the sides and the tops are smooth and plain. You do not need to have a separate base with these columns, which makes then very easy to install. This style will give your porch the look of ancient Greece or the villas of Italy.

- Ionic columns have scroll-shaped ornamental designs in the top of the columns.

- Corinthian style columns are usually decorated with laurels and have inverted bell shapes at the top.

- The Romanesque style are square and usually rest on trapezoid-shaped bases.

There are many different styles of columns, as you will see when you search online or visit your local home improvement store. They can also be made from different materials, such as wood or fibreglass. You won’t have as much maintenance with those made of fibreglass as you would with wood, but the wood is treated to resist mold, mildew, staining and fungi because they will be outdoors in all kinds of weather.  The wood is also treated so that it won’t shrink, swell or warp so that you have stability in the porch.

The main thing with installing wood columns on your porch is the installation itself. If you do not have the columns installed properly, you will encounter difficulties ?maybe not right away, but down the road. There are key features in installing a column that you should make sure you are aware of. These include:

- If you have to saw off a portion of the column to get the proper height, make sure you treat the sawed end with a liberal paint of coat or primer before installation.

- You need to ventilate each column. You can do this by either drilling a hole in the soffit directly over the column or by placing a block of wood between the soffit and the column.

- Make sure that your sprinkler system doesn’t spray water on the columns and you should not have shrubs planted too close to the columns either.

- Because all sides of the columns will be exposed to the elements of the weather, you should inspect them on a regular basis.

Aluminum columns are best for outdoor use. The extruded sections of the columns are designed to withstand high stress and compression.  Since they are so light they are very easy to install. You do need to be very precise in your measurements when you order these columns which come in heights ranging from 5 to 36 feet.  You can also have many different designs in aluminum columns and even use them to support the joists of the second floor in a two-story home.

by takomabibelot

Give Your Porch a New Look With Porch Columns

Porch columns can dramatically change the overall appearance of your front porch. Perhaps that’s why more and more people are looking to install porch columns for their homes. Maybe you can consider doing the same. Porch columns come in various styles and designs. And that’s the first decision you have to make. Of course, you will have to keep in mind the overall look and feel of your entire home before coming to a final decision. Here are four common porch column designs.

Doric columns – These columns have parallel groves on both sides. They are simple looking, and have no separate bases. For this reason, they are also very easy to install compared with other designs. They are most commonly seen in Greece or Italy styled villas.

Ionic columns – These are also simple looking columns. The distinct feature is that these columns have scroll shaped ornaments at the top of the columns.

Corinthian style columns – Corinthian style columns are very popular. They are decorate by laurels, and the top bases have inverted bell shapes on them. In terms of design, these columns are the most complicated. But since the designs are rather intricate, they are also the most beautiful columns.

Romanesque style columns – These columns are square looking, and they rest on trapezium bases. They can be easily recognized from far.

To make your decision process easier, you can always check with your contractor and as for simulation drawings. The goal is to have some hint on how the overall look would feel like before coming to a final decision. Mostly, you will concern yourself with the bases of the columns, and whether you should go for round or square columns. You should then narrow down on the designs to see which are the ones that fit best. Decide early whether you would prefer a more complicated design or a simpler design. Bear in mind that in general, the more simple the columns, the easier it is to install. Still, the most important thing is that the columns help enhance the overall look of the house and thus add value.

Deciding on the materials.

Porch columns can be made from many different types of materials. Most materials, except for Glass-fibre Reinforced Gypsum Columns (which is meant for interiors only), can be used for both indoors and outdoors. Columns can be created from a variety of fibre glass materials as well as wood and concrete. The most popular choice is fibre glass composite columns, and these columns can be installed indoors or outdoors.

Another popular choice is Fiberglass Wound or Filament Wound Columns. These are lightweight columns that are suitable for both interior and exterior construction projects.

If you choose wood or concrete as your building materials, note that you will have to maintain the columns differently. For example, wood may be subjected to mold or rotting, but this does not apply to fibre glass. So you may wish to weigh the pros and cons before making your decision.