Are columns expensive to use?

While not inexpensive, columns are a good investment. Columns will enhance any project and give an immediate feeling of grandeur.

How can you sell columns for less than my local lumber yard?

Due to our large volume and ability to control our manufacturing, we are able to keep our cost low and in turn we pass the savings on to you. Since we do not offer credit, we do not have to increase our selling price to cover this area of normal loss.

I live on the water; what is the most weather resistant column?

Our PolyStone I & II and Colossal columns are made for you. Their resistance to extreme weather conditions make them excellent choices for use on trellises, arbors, pergolas, porches and all exterior applications, especially those near water.

What is a custom column?

A custom column is one which we manufacture after you place your order. It is specifically manufactured for your job and uses the overall height provided by you. It can also be one where you specify all dimensions as well as the height.

Do I need to ventilate interior wooden columns?

No, it is not necessary to ventilate interior wooden columns, but you must always ventilate wooden columns when used outside. PolyStone, Colossal and E.P.S. columns do not have to be ventilated for interior or exterior use.

Why do you require a deposit and offer no credit policies?

Since the beginning of our business, we have found that our required deposits on all orders have lessened our bad debts and cancelled orders. This enables us to focus on your product and service not on collections. We pass along these savings from almost 0% bad debts to you with lower prices.

Why should I select my own columns instead of just buying what's
at my local lumber yard?

There are many columns in the marketplace today. Most companies might offer you one or two choices. We offer you the best choice, number of designs, materials and manufacturers.

Why should I discuss my project with you?

With many years of experience, our excellent staff can save you from many common mistakes. I urge you to discuss your project with one of our trained consultants for recommendations and suggestions.

What if I am unhappy with the product?
In the unlikely event that you are not 100% satisfied, you may return all non-custom/non-altered products to us. Please contact our Customer Service Department before you ship the product back to us. We are not responsible for damage in shipments either to you or back to us. Our carriers are insured to handle responsibility if damage should occur.

How do I know I am getting the best price?

Shop around. We will not knowingly be undersold on any comparable product. We constantly monitor prices across the United States and remain competitive. We do request that you shop around before you begin your project and select the company from whom you will purchase your columns. Our services and expertise are, of course, free to our customers.

Can columns go around poles and beams?

This is one of the most frequent uses of columns today. Columns can be split in half to go around structural members. To make sure the column will fit around your pole/beam, call our sales office for assistance in determining the inside clearance of the shaft. Or you can subtract the thickness of the lumber from the top diameter if it is a pole or if it is a square piece, get the diagonal (take the square root of the two sides squared and added together!)

Are your columns made to overall height?

All columns can be made to an overall height. Columns with a design number beginning with a one (1) will have to be made to the overall height. The remainder of the design numbers can be cut to height for an additional charge. Please see manufacturing summary pages for additional information.

Why do I have to ventilate wooden columns?

It is the same effect that you get when you wear glasses or sunglasses outside in the heat from an air conditioned interior and your glasses begin to perspire. The same thing happens to columns when the temperature on the outside of the column is one degree and the interior is another degree.

Could you please explain your different types of design numbers and materials?

The four design lines range from 100 to 400 with 100 being the most authentically correct and most expensive column to the 400 series being the least expensive stock mill column.

We offer four design lines of wooden columns. The 100 Design Series is our Authentic Replication columns which are our top-of-the-line columns. They have the Renaissance architect Vignola's 1/3 - 2/3 entasis (taper) and architecturally correct astragal (bead). All proportions are fed into our computers and the exact proportions are calculated. Our Design Series 200 wooden columns are our Neoclassical, which are the same as our Authentic Replication. The wall thickness is less; therefore, the flutes are more shallow and the astragal is less pronounced. The finish work is optional. Our 300 and 400 Designs are mass produced builder grade columns. Our Design Series 300 wooden columns are our Classic which are nominal and have the classic bead and 1/3 - 2/3 entasis. They are a stock product and do not have as fine a detail as Neoclassical and Authentic Replication. Our Design Series 400 wooden columns are nominal shafts with a double bead, straight taper and shallow flutes. They are a stock wood product.

Our Design Series 100 also includes our Premier Custom Collection original designs and custom columns fabricated in wood.

We offer two design lines of mass produced composite or fiberglass columns. Our Design Series 200 PolyStone I was molded from our top of the line Authentic Replication columns and is made from a polyester resin, fiberglass, and marble dust composite. The capitals and bases are made of the same durable materials. Our Design Series 200 PolyStone II and Colossal are fiberglass composite columns similar in design to our Neoclassical columns. They are nominal sizes with more shallow flutes, less pronounced astragal and more base molding protruding beyond the outer edge of the column shaft. They are lighter weight than PolyStone I.

Our Design Series 300 includes custom designed columns in E.P.S. - Expanded Polystyrene (foam). These are light weight, non-load bearing but can be cut in halves to surround or cover a support. They are great for decorative purposes such as designer rooms, movie and television sets, trade shows or any other application where an extremely light weight material is needed.