5 Misconceptions About Fiberglass Columns
1) Fiberglass columns can only be used on the exterior of your home. False.
Fiberglass columns can be used on the interior and exterior of your home. By doing this, the same profile architectural column will be kept throughout the entire house.
2) Structural fiberglass columns are solid. False.
Structural fiberglass columns are hollow as they are cast in a mold that is rotated extremely fast. This rotation allows the fiberglass material to be pushed to the exterior of the mold and it dries while the fiberglass column is spinning. In the end, a hollow fiberglass column is created.
3) Fiberglass Columns are thin and are like the hull of a fishing boat. False.
Fiberglass columns are actually a composite that consists of dust, marble, fiberglass, and several other materials that give the column strength and rigidity.
4) Fiberglass columns sound hollow and feel cheap. False.
Fiberglass columns look and feel like a solid column. The walls are approximately 3/8” thick and actually feel more solid than wood. They typically have a limited lifetime warranty and are less expensive than most exterior grade wood columns.
5) The flutes on a fiberglass column can not be adjusted. False.
The flutes on a fluted architectural fiberglass column can be adjusted. This is imperative that the column manufacturer have this capability in order to assure the client that the flutes will not run into the base or stop to far above the base for a particular opening.
Fiberglass columns can be used on the interior and exterior of your home. By doing this, the same profile architectural column will be kept throughout the entire house.
2) Structural fiberglass columns are solid. False.
Structural fiberglass columns are hollow as they are cast in a mold that is rotated extremely fast. This rotation allows the fiberglass material to be pushed to the exterior of the mold and it dries while the fiberglass column is spinning. In the end, a hollow fiberglass column is created.
3) Fiberglass Columns are thin and are like the hull of a fishing boat. False.
Fiberglass columns are actually a composite that consists of dust, marble, fiberglass, and several other materials that give the column strength and rigidity.
4) Fiberglass columns sound hollow and feel cheap. False.
Fiberglass columns look and feel like a solid column. The walls are approximately 3/8” thick and actually feel more solid than wood. They typically have a limited lifetime warranty and are less expensive than most exterior grade wood columns.
5) The flutes on a fiberglass column can not be adjusted. False.
The flutes on a fluted architectural fiberglass column can be adjusted. This is imperative that the column manufacturer have this capability in order to assure the client that the flutes will not run into the base or stop to far above the base for a particular opening.