How do you install columns?
We’re often asked this question by owner builder and professional alike.
It all depends what you are using the columns for.
Whatever way you‘re using columns you must have a foundation for the columns to sit on.
This could be a cement slab, a concrete pad footing .
One case scenario where a costumer of ours wanted to build a colonnade come barbeque area.
On his country property, he had an area of 10 x 5 miters he wanted to cover.
Not knowing which columns to use we suggested to use our 250mm Tuscan columns at 2.5 mm centers at 2400 height. That would give him a clearance of 2.4 head room, he then would put a 250 x 50 mm timber beam on top of the columns then a 100 x 50 mm across the 5 miters span and he would have a structure of 2750 high.
Height and size of columns is very important for jobs like these, for example if he wanted to go higher with the columns, he would have to consider using a bigger column like our 300 mm Tuscan columns,
The spacing could still be at 2.4 centers but he could go as high as 2.7 mm and having a great looking job.
Of course if you are using the bigger size column you could spread them up to 3.5 centers and end up having a non symmetrical looking structure for this kind of area.
His dilemma was how do I install the columns?
Well it’s very easy once you have determined how many columns you need for the job,
Get your levels and dig the footings,
There are a few different ways of installing columns on footings or if you are doing footings and cement Slab as one pour.
Once you know where the centre of the column is you can EITHER
1> insert a plastic pipe in the slab or pad as you lay the cement and then take out as the cement has nearly gone off ( dried ) or leave it in, make sure that the hole in the footing is bigger than the pipe of column , When the cement is dry you are the ready to install the column .
The pipe in the column comes longer at the base, you then measure the depth of the hole in the footings and cut the pipe accordingly, then place the base plinth of column over the hole or slab and then the main shaft of the column is placed on top of the base plinth with the steel pipe going thru the base into the hole of footings
This is the hard way of installing especially if you are not using any lifting equipment.
2> you can also insert a spigot in the wet cement this spigott will go inside the column pipe and will keep the column from falling , I would suggest to have this spigot a minimum of 700mm above the footings or slab, very easy operation if you use lifting equipment
3> you can also have special brackets manufactured with a spigot welded on a steel plate with a hole in each corner of the plate to be dyna bolted on the slab or footings .
Installations the same as # 2
Now that the columns are in position you then place a steel bracket on the top of the column pipe and you are ready to put your beams on the columns.
Read more about Architectural Columns.
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Author: V. scaturro
