Fypon's column wraps and Postcovers from Deckorators are two ways to give posts and columns a finished look.
Craftsman, colonial, even traditional porches — they're nothing without their columns. But mitering trim pieces to cover treated wood posts can be a bear, and leaving wood exposed to the elements (gasp!) is just asking for trouble.
Enter the column wrap. With the value and virtues of PVC and other resistant materials, these easy-to-install products give a thoughtful finish to rough posts.
“The driving factor for this product has been the builder and remodeler who will put up a structural post during construction but are leery of installing a finished post until the job is done because it can be easily damaged,” says Greg Wolf, director of marketing for Fypon, which recently introduced PVC Column Wraps. “Column wraps are easy to install with other finish carpentry and fit in a lot of applications, whether it's covering a column that's rotted or a steel support in a finished basement.”
Fypon's two-piece product encases a treated post and is available in a number of sizes and styles, including fluted, paneled, and tapered. Similarly, CertainTeed's EverNew SnapWrap comes with four vinyl panels that lock together around a post with the aid of four corner pieces.
For a more definitive “wrap” style, the Wrap n'Snap product from Royal Wood features pre-mitered corners, removable tape, and a corner lock. To install the PVC product, users apply adhesive to each groove, wrap the column around the post, and lock the fourth and first corners together.
Each product can be cut to length and can often be installed by just one person.
At the Remodeling Show this month, deck railing manufacturer Deckorators is introducing a similar application it calls Post-covers. Made of high-density polyurethane epoxy, Postcovers feature a stacked-stone look in three color options and are designed to fit over standard 6-by-6-inch deck posts with special connectors for the deck rails. They could also be used in fence applications, as mailbox post surrounds, and in many other applications, says brand manager Darrin Haugan.
With all these options available, remodelers should be able to “wrap up” their decorative column upgrades.