PVC Column Wraps Convert Ordinary Porch Posts and Polls Into Beautiful Porch Columns

By: J Zax

If you’re looking for a quick and easy face lift for your front porch, overhang, carport or walkway that will add beauty and saleability to your home, you might want to consider replacing those old wooden posts or drab metal poles with eye-catching PVC column wraps.

Easy-to-install PVC column wraps were designed to deliver the appearance of elegant high-end porch columns without the hassle and high-end cost. According to Tim Bobo of HB&G Building Products, "Column wraps can change the entire ambiance of your home or business, adding a unique decorative touch. They install quickly around your existing porch posts or metal poles."

With cellular PVC column wraps, you can get a major improvement without a major expense in a matter of minutes, and at a surprisingly affordable price. They come in a wide range of classical or contemporary designs and nearly a dozen different styles to compliment any home or business: square or craftsman, plain or fluted, raised panel, recessed panel, with tapered or straight shafts, and a variety of decorative caps and bases. These options make it easy to find just the right amount of detail for your specific project.

When selecting a column wrap be sure to match style of the building or room, depending whether they’re being used inside or out. Note that some brands offer a lot of variety, but not all are able to create the appearance of high-end, elegant columns while remaining competitively priced.

Column wraps fabricated from durable cellular PVC won't rot, and resist splitting, chipping, or warping. Virtually maintenance free, they don't rust or absorb water and are insect resistant. PVC Column Wraps usually come with a significant warranty. They can be applied to old wooden or unsightly posts by simply wrapping them around the existing support posts and adhering them together. Column wrap kits usually include column covers, traditional caps and bases, adhesive caulk, installation cleats and instruction sheets. The external cleats help make installation a breeze. You can add most column wraps start to finish in less than 30 minutes.

PVC column wraps usually come pre-finished in white, but most can easily be painted in accent colors with just a few simple steps. Painting your column wraps after installation also reduces reduce dust and dirt accumulation. To prepare your surface be sure to sure to putty and caulk any holes or seams using acrylic putty or caulk. Then lightly sand or scuff the surface of the column. Clean the column to remove any dirt or residue with a light detergent and water, denatured alcohol, or window cleaner.

After it’s allowed to thoroughly dry you can apply one coat of 100% acrylic exterior primer and one or more finish coasts of 100% acrylic exterior paint with a light reflective value (LRV) of 55 or higher. Dark colors are not recommended and often void the warranty. Since cellular PVC wraps don't absorb that way wood can, your paint should last longer than it would on wood. Wrapped columns can also be texturized or decorated with stencils, artwork or other fixtures as the homeowner sees fit.