Architectural column kits

Types of architectural columns: matching style to vision

Architectural columns are the exclamation point in a design story. Their shape and style set the tone for the overall space aesthetic.

Round column: timeless versatility

“The simpler, the better.” If the client combines this belief with a desire to create a luxurious interior, then plain round columns (PC series) are perfect. They offer clean, classic elegance: their smooth surfaces catch light beautifully, creating subtle shadow play throughout the day, a round column design that suits both classical and contemporary facades.

Meanwhile, lovers of the distinctive Antique style will undoubtedly appreciate round fluted Doric column. Those distinctive vertical grooves create dramatic shadow lines that shift with the sun’s movement. Colonial revivals, Greek-style homes, and neoclassical commercial buildings find their perfect match here.

The engineering is equally impressive. Round column up to 53 feet in height can be manufactured to custom specifications, with diameters ranging from modest 10-inch accents to commanding 48-inch statements.

Square architectural column: modern touch

Is there a place for columns in a contemporary design project? Of course! The clean, geometric contours of square columns fit perfectly into such designs.

Plain square columns (SPC series) are among our most popular modern architectural columns offering sharp, minimalist esthetics that complement modern architecture. Clean lines, geometric precision and understated sophistication are ideal for loft conversions, modern commercial spaces or sleek elegance.

Paneled columns (PAC series) bridge the traditional and the contemporary. Recessed panels create a visual depth without ornate details, evoking craftsman-era millwork. These excel as craftsman columns, stucco gate columns, or architectural entry columns where refined detail matters.

Spiral column: for the lovers of sculptural drama

For projects where visual impact is required, spiral columns provide a theatrical presence. The continuous helical twists create the illusion of gentle upward movement. That’s a dynamic design in the literal sense of the word! The construction of spiral columns makes them a premium choice, but the dramatic effect excels for grand entrances, luxury residences, or commercial spaces seeking a distinctive character.

Capitals and bases for column: little things with character

Columns for a facade or interior would be incomplete without the right details. While the column body provides structure, caps and bases add personality. These architectural bases for columns and crowning elements distinguish high-quality projects from the exceptional. And most importantly, you can blend these pieces in any combination you want. Pair your column kit with a matching set from our Custom Column Capitals and Bases collection — capitals and bases are the standard finishing touch for any column kit.

Elegance on a budget: Tuscan style

Tuscan capitals and bases offer refined simplicity at an affordable price. They are cut from lightweight EPS foam, maintaining clean proportions without fussy details. For budget-conscious churches, public buildings or projects where quantity counts, Tuscan elements add dignity without the expense.

Classical traditions: Doric and Ionic orders

The Doric and Ionic orders are the high point of classical authority. Each is expressive in its own way, differing in details and in the atmosphere they evoke:

• The Doric capital is massive, heavy and saucer-shaped; the original capitals rested directly on the floor, although modern versions often have a base for proportionality.
• The Ionic capitals and signature spiral scrolls provide graceful motion. The Ionic elements, invented by Greek colonists in Asia Minor, provide a refined energy that is based on classical Ionic architecture.

Superb attractions: Corinthian style

Corinthian capitals are the most elaborate of classical architecture. Characteristic are the carved acanthus leaves, a plant that symbolized eternal life in ancient Greece. The bell-shaped crowns are of extraordinary opulence, with intricate scrollwork and multilayered detail. These sculptural compositions attract attention both from the street and inside building lobbies.

Corinthian capitals require precise shapes and detailed decoration. For example, experienced designers employ a cost-optimization strategy: they order tapered architectural columns. A column shaft, tapering from 18 inches at the base to 14 inches at the top, requires a smaller (and therefore less expensive) capital while maintaining a striking visual impact. The slender tapered shape is unnoticeable to observers, but the budget savings can reach thousands of dollars, which is significant for projects involving multiple ones.

Advantages of EPS stucco column: engineering that changes everything

What material is best for outdoor columns? It’s a tricky question. It would seem that concrete columns are built to last, while plaster options allow for the most complex designs. But decorative columns made of EPS foam outperform their counterparts made of traditional materials such as stone, wood, or exterior millwork in many ways.

The secret of EPS foam columns is their complex three-layer construction:

• The expanded polystyrene core provides shape, ensures structural integrity and stability during temperature fluctuations.
• The aromatic, fast-curing urethane coating provides impact resistance, crucial for columns in high-traffic areas or vulnerable to accidental contact.
• Textured 100% acrylic coating provides weather protection and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This comprehensive protective system resists UV radiation, moisture infiltration, and environmental stresses.

Remarkably, foam stucco columns are visually and even tactilely very similar to stone or plaster. Our equipment allows us to create any desired finish, identical to traditional column materials.

The result is luxurious synthetic stone columns with a “stone-like” or “concrete-like” appearance, each easily carried by one person. Despite their light weight, these columns are extremely durable. No water penetration means no internal damage, no mold growth, no structural compromise. The top layer doesn’t fade in the sun, and the core doesn’t crack. Therefore, foam columns are just as suitable for buildings in hot Florida, windy Illinois, or cold Minnesota.

Not just for facades: the versatile use of architectural columns

The inherent strength of the EPS we work with gives our craftsmen creative freedom impossible with traditional materials. This is why foam columns perform well in a wide variety of projects, from interior accents to outdoor columns built to withstand the elements.

Architectural column: interior applications

Restaurant interiors, hotel lobbies, spacious living rooms, and commercial office atriums demand a flawless appearance and exquisite detail. The lightweight construction of foam columns simplifies installation: they don’t require structural reinforcement. Actually, EPS architectural columns do not support the building’s weight, but wrap existing load-bearing columns. The smooth, uniform surface is easily painted in any color, ensuring a precise match to the interior’s color palette. Twenty-foot interior columns — large columns that would be prohibitively expensive in stone — fit within the budget easily with EPS.

Exterior architectural column: weather-defying beauty

Large porch columns, patio covers with stucco columns, and stucco fence columns – all these polystyrene outdoor decorative columns perform beautifully in any climate.

Northern projects face freeze-thaw cycles, which cause concrete to crack and stone to chip. Southern installations are exposed to the merciless effects of UV exposure and humidity, which destroy organic materials. Desert conditions experience temperature swings and intense solar radiation. Coastal properties withstand exposure to salt spray and hurricane-force winds. High-quality exterior stucco columns made by our shop withstand all these conditions. Our products have a service life of 20 to 30 years, and items in many projects exceed this period.

Theatrical and temporary column applications

Theater set designers, event organizers, and advertising display specialists face unique requirements: a spectacular set must be easy to transport, safe, and, preferably, affordable. EPS decorative columns elegantly address these challenges.

Making columns without structural post cut outs allows for the creation of strong and lightweight elements. They are easy to install and move by stagehands. Even if these sets accidentally tip over during rehearsals, they will not injure the actors.

From an economic perspective, EPS is also the clear favorite. The columns, designed for multiple productions, are compact and much less expensive than alternatives. These sets come in handy for touring companies, regional theaters with limited budgets, or educational drama departments.

A typical use case: a property manager needs to refresh tired, weathered porch posts without a lengthy renovation. Because column kits ship in lightweight sections and wrap directly around the existing post, installers can complete the retrofit in a single day, with no structural reinforcement and no interruption to the building’s use.

Your best choice for custom decorative column

The design of each space is always a unique story. Even if the client chooses an antique or neoclassical style, where everything seems to be by the book and everything has long been said, our professional team will help add a touch of uniqueness. Decorative Architectural Products specializes in custom architectural columns and other customized architectural elements, and over nearly 25 years in business, we have learned to understand our clients’ desires perfectly.

In most cases, no matter what column shape you request, we will answer: “Yes, it is possible.” Smooth or fluted, round or square, straight or even tapered – any of these options will be produced within a timeframe that respects your deadlines. Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or architect, you can clarify the details during a preliminary consultation with our manager.

Here’s what we offer to ensure your expectations and reality match:

• 3D project visualization before production starts.
• Ongoing technical support.
• Assistance in finding installation contractors nearby (if needed).
• Detailed mounting guidelines.
• 10-year product warranty.