Design

Classic stock columns have a Vignola Taper of 1/3 - 2/3 giving the column a proper entasis and a classic bead. Available with plain or fluted shafts. Each architectural column comes complete with capital and base.

 
Construction Materials

Column Shafts - Our column shafts are made from the finest kiln-dried, finger-jointed hemlock, fir, pine, or Clear Heart Redwood and Western Red Cedar. Many options are available that are not listed in our price sheet, i.e., a variety of column heights and nominal diameters. Colonial columns are available with a choice of tapered or non-tapered shafts with or without an astragal (bead). Classic columns are available in a choice of shafts with or without an astragal (bead). Half-round columns can be ordered to match full columns. Column halves, for reassembly around an existing support for  decorative detail, are also available. There are various ways that we can cut columns, i.e., in halves, three quarters, outside corners, etc. These special cuts can be ordered with fluting.

Capitals - Our plain capitals are polyurethane. You may order capitals in the same wood species as the shaft for an upcharge. Our decorative capitals are molded using a plaster/fiberglass blend and are available in most column sizes. Their fine detailing will enhance any column. We offer a wide range of capital sizes that are not listed on our price sheet. Call for any capital size or style that you do not see on our list.

Base Moldings and Plinths - On small columns, base moldings and plinths are polyurethane. For an additional charge, wooden base moldings and plinths are available. Our two-piece wooden base is connected at our factory for your convenience. On columns with 22" base diameters or larger, we provide fiberglass bases and plinths. For an upcharge, wooden bases and plinths are available for interior use and cast marble bases and aluminum plinths are available for exterior use.

 
Manufacturing Process

Shaft Construction - Using tongue and groove construction for perfect alignment, our finger-jointed shafts are then assembled with Type-1 waterproof glue. To assure consistent pressure, we apply bands during the drying process. Shafts are put on a lathe to create the continual Greek Doric taper for Colonial columns and the 1/3 - 2/3 taper for the Classic column and to form the astragal. A specially designed router is used for the fluting.

Shaft Design - For more decorative purposes, many customers choose an Ionic fluted shaft instead of our plain shaft. Our stock column fluting has a continual depth and begins 5" down from the astragal and 10 3/4" (small) and 5" (large) up from the bottom of the shaft. We can alter the distance of the flutes from the bottom of the shaft for variations in our smaller columns and for use with our decorative composition capitals. One of our friendly consultants will be happy to give you alteration charges.