craftman-style column valid construction technique?
dougw975
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’m in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I have a reproduction of a craftman-style house that was built in 2006. The house has non-load bearing columns. The columns do not go to the top of the roof eaves; however, they are somewhat covered by the eaves. There’s approximately 30″ from the center of the column top to the eave. When in the process of replacing the caulk I was surprised to find that the top of the columns are not sealed. I think the columns are filled with a wood filler that has become a bit brittle over the years. Is this a valid construction technique? What should be done to maintain the column tops? I’m seeing what could be water damage at the column’s faux-brick base.
Replies
You are better off asking this at Fine Homebuilding.
I believe the columns should be built over some sort of concrete base. A metal flange is attached to that and is made to receive the column on top of it. The metal base keeps the column off of any moisture and keeps it from rotting.
The top of those columns should be covered just from a pest control stand point.
A column is meant to support something and as such need to be built to a standard meant to last and of sufficient strength to support what they are meant to hold up. Your columns from your description are merely a decoration on a par with a wreath on your door or a lawn jockey on your lawn. Faux columns to match the faux bricks, likely hollow ,likely made with something like radiata pine. Expected to last maybe 20 years which, by the way ,you are closing in on fast. Any carpenter can make you replacements.
I would be wary and on the lookout for other things that might be built to a 20 year standard.
The "filler" appears to be polyurethane foam. It does not have great weather resistance. I would suggest a metal cap of some sort to prevent water intrusion; the photo suggest there has been some water infiltration.
To repair the existing column is simply a “new wine Into old wine skins” situation. A temporary patch asking for future failure. Remove the column. Repaint the side of the house where the column was to protect it, then rebuild a new replacement column that is sealed from the top.
You can do it right or do it twice.