Brick Columns Overview
Getting the lowdown on brick columns is a must if you’re thinking about adding one to your porch (brick column for porch project). Let’s break down what brick columns are all about and peek at the materials that folks often use to build them.
Purpose of Brick Columns
Brick columns hold their own in the world of home improvement, both in terms of looks and strength. They’re the backbone of porch roofs, making sure everything’s held up right, while also jazzing up the overall appearance of your home. Lately, more folks are jumping on the brick bandwagon to amp up their home’s curb appeal (Pinterest).
Adding a brick column to your porch can be like throwing on a sharp suit—elegant and durable at the same time. These columns often frame the front, boost the look from the street, and create a nice flow from outside to inside.
Popular Brick Column Materials
Picking out materials for brick columns is like choosing clothes—there’s a bit of something for everyone based on style and needs. Here are a few go-tos:
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Brick: The classic red brick—a solid pick for sturdy columns with a nod to tradition. They never go outta style and you can lay ’em down in all sorts of patterns for a bit of flair.
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Lightweight Concrete: This one’s catching on because it’s a breeze to handle. Stackable, easy to size, and adaptable to different designs (Morton Stones).
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Faux Brick and Stone Wraps: If budget’s your concern, these wraps give you the look of real brick or stone without breaking the bank. They bring a cozy, welcoming vibe to porch columns (Barron Designs).
Each option brings its unique perks to the table, fitting different styles and budgets. Picking the right stuff makes all the difference in how your project turns out, both in looks and long-lastingness. Happy building!
Building Brick Columns
Brick columns do more than just hold things up. They really bring out the style and heft of a porch. So, when you’re looking into adding brick columns to your porch, it’s all about sticking to the rules and figuring out just how big and how many bricks you’ll need to pull it off smoothly.
Construction Codes and Standards
Following construction codes isn’t just some boring list of rules; it’s what keeps your porch from falling apart or catching eyes from the wrong folks—like building inspectors. Using pressure-treated wood and a fancy galvanized metal standoff “post base” to keep the post off the concrete is a good start, as per the GardenWeb folks. And don’t forget those post caps on top of your 4×4 columns. They’re kind of like superhero capes for your porch, keeping it from getting blown off by strong winds.
Taking these steps makes sure your brick columns won’t just look pretty—they’ll stay standing tall, keeping the whole porch safe and sound.
Determining Column Size and Bricks Needed
Getting the sizes right for your columns and figuring out the brick count is key if you want to do this thing without wasting time and money. Morton Stones suggests that filling the middle with mortar or concrete is the way to make your columns sturdy—kind of like giving them a hearty breakfast. Topping it with a thin stucco layer just adds to their tough exterior.
For the numbers folks: If you’re going with 12″x12″ columns, you’ll need about 4 bricks for each layer. Go bigger with a 16″x16″ and 6 bricks per layer should do. A 12″x12″ column standing proud at 7 feet takes around 148 bricks to build. Got a plan for four of these giants? You’re looking at hauling in about 620 bricks.
Take a step back every once in a while. Keep an eye on those lines and make sure everything’s level as you go. This attention to detail not only holds your columns together but also makes sure they look sharp. A bit of planning with the size and brick count before you start will set you up for success in your brick column adventure.
Installing Brick Columns
Upgrading your home’s exterior with brick columns is like giving your porch a classic tuxedo—simple, but oh-so-elegant. These charming features can totally change the vibe of your house, giving it that stately appeal. Let’s break down the whole process, from digging the hole to working with the magic mix that holds it all together.
Excavation and Concrete Pouring
Alright, step one: you’ve gotta dig a hole. Sounds easy, right? But this isn’t just any hole; it’s the foundation of your column, literally and figuratively. You’ll need some precise excavation to ensure the columns stay sturdy and aren’t prone to tilting like a wannabe Leaning Tower of Pisa. Depth and width are your friends here, playing by the book with the dimensions of your planned columns.
Once you’ve got that sorted, pour in some concrete like the rock star builder you are. This isn’t the time to skimp—quality concrete matters. It holds everything up, and when done right, it keeps your columns standing pretty through thick and thin. Everything about this phase is about getting it right so that your porch doesn’t end up with a case of the wobbles.
Trust the pros to do a legit job here. A seasoned contractor knows how to avoid the “Oops, did I do that?” moments. They’ll save you stress and ensure everything’s stable.
Working with Mortar and Masonry Teams
Building these columns isn’t just stacking bricks; it’s an art. And the bond between those bricks? Mortar, my friend. Choosing the right mix, like say, Amerimix “AMX 405 S Desert Buff,” can be the difference between a porch that looks sharp or shabby. This mix ensures that your columns have the durability to last through all four seasons without falling apart at the seams.
Here’s where your masonry team comes in—the true artists behind the columns’ beauty. These folks lay each brick by hand, making sure the structure doesn’t just hold up, but holds its own in style. They measure everything, use levels to keep it straight, and finish with a nice brush, making it smooth as butter.
Good teamwork and a clear plan are keys to nailing this step. With pro masons on the job, you’re set for columns that not only grin with pride now but long into the future. So, communicate, keep the details in check, and you’ll see your dream porch standing tall in no time.
Cost Considerations
When you’re thinking about adding brick columns to your porch, you gotta keep an eye on both what it’s gonna cost you in labor and materials. Planning and getting your budget right is the name of the game here.
Labor and Material Costs
Based on info from the Fine Homebuilding Forum, a single brick column, standing at 4 feet 6 inches tall and measuring 2 feet by 2 feet, might run you about $900. This includes bricks, mortar, and all the extra bits needed to put it all together. You’ll probably need a skilled mason to make sure everything is done just right.
Labor costs can swing a bit, depending on where you live and how experienced your mason is. In some places, you might be looking at a cool $40-50 per hour for a decent mason. Expect the whole process from digging footings, pouring concrete, to laying bricks to take about 40 hours. So, when you add it all up, the labor and materials for one brick column could hit a pretty penny.
Estimating for Complete Project
For a ballpark figure on the whole project, don’t forget about things like gate installation and extra support. Putting up gates, filling columns with concrete, and setting up proper footings might tack on another $1,500 to your costs. Then toss in gate mounts, beefing up the columns, and other structural bits, and your expenses can really add up.
All told, a project with brick columns, gates, reinforcement, and all the trimmings could bump up to around $2,000 per column, according to the estimates at the Fine Homebuilding Forum. This covers a lot of ground—labor, materials, and extra bits needed to keep those columns solid and standing proud.
By giving both labor and materials a long, hard look and crunching numbers for the whole shebang, you’ll be able to budget right for your porch project. Don’t skip over any details, and you’ll nail that successful makeover without breaking the bank. If you’re hunting for ideas to jazz up your porch, have a gander at our article on brick column for porch inspiration for some nifty designs and neat concepts.
Alternatives to Brick Columns
You know what can give your porch an instant makeover? Swapping those traditional brick columns with some fresh alternatives. Say goodbye to the old and mundane, and jazz up your entrance with lightweight concrete columns and faux brick and stone wraps.
Lightweight Concrete Columns
Lightweight concrete columns really bring the magic. Morton Stones nods in approval to these nifty replacements. They’re a breeze to move around since they’re way lighter than bricks. If you’ve ever lugged around a brick, you know that’s a massive perk! Plus, their design is so smart you can stack them up to 8 feet high, fitting all kinds of architectural styles. And when it comes to matching with things like metal poles on your porch or terrace, they don’t break a sweat. Just cut them to fit and voila!
| Alternative Material | Weight | Height Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Concrete Columns | Lighter than brick | Up to 8 feet |
A solid choice for modern vibes with all the strength you need. These are ideal for people wanting to add a touch of class without losing out on durability. If you’re rethinking your porch’s style, lightweight concrete columns might just be the star of your next home improvement story.
Faux Brick and Stone Wraps
Faux brick and stone wraps are where style meets savings. Barron Designs shows just how these wraps turn heads. They capture the charm and feel of real stone and brick, but without the pesos. Imagine walking up to your home through a rustic, welcoming entrance—it’s like getting all the jazz without the hassle.
Made from tough stuff like medium-density polyethylene or high-density polyurethane, these wraps are ready to face the weather. No fading or cracking here! And just think about all that maintenance you won’t have to do—your weekends could be yours again. Whether it’s jazzing up your mailbox or putting a smile on your porch, the handy column caps make sure everything ties together neatly.
If sprucing up those porch posts or crafting a snazzy welcome mat for your guests is on your agenda, then faux wraps are definitely worth adding to your list. With these, you serve style on a silver plate while leaving the hard work behind. They’ll transform any bland post into a statement piece, easy as pie.
Column Maintenance and Repairs
Keep those brick columns standing tall and looking good with the right care and fixes when needed. Here’s the lowdown on how to treat your columns so they don’t just endure, but thrive. Let’s talk about keeping them dry and tough, and knowing when to pull out the big guns with repairs or replacements when things get dicey.
Waterproofing and Longevity
Brick columns, much like your favorite pair of sneakers, need protection from the wet stuff. One crafty homeowner wrapped their brick columns with tar paper or Typar to keep the moisture away and extend their lifespan (Fine Homebuilding Forum). Think of it as a raincoat to stop water damage from creeping in over time.
Don’t just stop at hosing down the outside—pay some attention to the inside too. Make sure those mortar joints and any cracks in the bricks get a good sealing job. By doing this, water stays where it belongs—outside. A little nosey inspection every now and then can catch water damage before it becomes a big deal. Look out for signs like white powdery stuff (efflorescence) or flaky bricks (spalling) that scream trouble.
Reinforcement and Replacement Options
When your columns are in need of a little muscle, you’ve got choices. Sometimes, swapping the hidden parts of the column for beefier ones—say 12″ x 12″ or 16″ x 16″—can handle the load like a champ (Fine Homebuilding Forum). Bigger columns mean they can hold more weight, especially when they’re supporting hefty beams.
Fiber parge is like giving your columns a makeover that also makes them stronger. It keeps the classic look but adds oomph to the structure. This way, you get extra strength without losing the visual appeal. Consider these reinforcement tricks to give your brick columns a fighting chance against wear and tear.
But let’s face it—sometimes a patch job just won’t cut it, and you might need to think about replacing those columns entirely. It would be wise to have a chat with the pros to figure out the best materials and design for the job. That way, your new columns will look good and hold up just as well.
Keeping brick columns in tip-top shape requires staying ahead of moisture and being prepared for repairs or new installs if needed. With regular care and repairs, the columns not only keep your house looking sharp but also maintain their role as trusty structural guardians. Investing in them today ensures they’ll add charm and value to your home for many years down the road.