Architectural Wood Columns

From the very beginning of column architecture, wood columns have been utilized. The very first Greek columns, is thought to have been constructed of wood. Of course, those original columns have long been destroyed by the natural elements, but they were the basis for the entire Greek and Roman architecture of columns.

Since that time, several different materials have been used in column manufacturing, but architectural wood columns tend to be a favorite for several builders and continue to be the most revered and elegant columns when used for staining purposes.

In modern architecture, there is a common misunderstanding that wood columns should not be used outdoors. But there is a process that can seal the exterior and interior as well as the top and bottom engrains of the architectural wood pillar.

This process allows a column to last exceedingly longer than what is commonly believed to be the life of a wooden column or pillar. There are two main styles of wood columns, paint-grade wood and stain-grade wood. Standard paint-grade wood columns are constructed with what is known as finger-jointed wood, while stain-grade columns are built of solid staves that run the length of the column.

The solid stave wood is commonly used to stain, providing an easier and clearer stain. Although a structural column can be made so that they can be utilized outdoors, most architectural wood columns are located on the interior of buildings.

Wood columns are load bearing and can be used to serve structural purposes, yet most architectural wood columns tend to be used for aesthetically pleasing applications. With the versatility to be manufactured out of common woods, such as pine, oak, and poplar, to the most elegant and uncommon woods such as Walnut or African Mahogany, architectural wood columns tend to be thought of as one of as the most majestic style of column in architecture today.