The act of adding loving touches to our residence starts with wall color choices and home accents. It can easily progress from the interior to the exterior of the home, too.

Many people are updating their houses, inside and out, and one way to do the outside is by replacing porch wood posts with columns. The main difference between posts and columns is the aesthetic look; they both provide support and structural stability. Columns made of materials other than wood are also more durable than wooden posts.

Whereas a post is usually a simpler support mechanism, porch columns can be much more extravagant, adding a great design element to a porch. Railings are often used with posts, but not so much with columns. This adds to a more open and elegant look on the porch.

One advantage to columns over posts is the durability. With wooden posts, rot and deterioration are common. By replacing these with columns of other materials, not only will the porch have a new look, but also a more durable and long lasting element. Columns now are made from a variety materials, including fiber glass, composite materials,  and stone. With these hardier materials, the columns can withstand not only weather damage and wear, but also insect damage, decay and molds.

With these materials, yet another advantage to replacing the wooden posts is the low maintenance they require. No more painting or staining the columns as opposed to the posts, especially when a product other than wood is used.

It is important to match the column design and style to that of the house, however, sometimes the type will add to the look of the house for a nice change. The most common types of columns are Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan and Romanesque. Tuscan columns are often quite simple and work well with a more modern look; Corinthian is a more decorative style, often seen on Southern style homes. The Doric style is a classic fluted column and Ionic ones have a nice graceful look. Romanesque columns are often seen on Mission style houses and are wider at the bottom.

While a DIY project of changing out posts for columns may not be for the novice, a person with reasonable skills should be able to do it or higher someone to do it effectively.

Choosing columns to replace wooden porch posts is a great way to update. Not only will the home have a new, updated look, but the homeowner can have less maintenance!

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