New Porch Columns and Stone Details for Oxford Homes

Signs Your Columns Need Attention

• Soft, dark or crumbling wood at the base where water collects
• Gaps between the column and the porch ceiling or floor
• Columns that look out of scale with the porch roof
• Paint that will not stay put no matter how often it is redone

Rot at the base is the most common problem here because humidity and splashback keep the bottom of the post damp.

Column Styles and Materials

• Tapered craftsman columns, often set on stone or brick piers
• Classic round columns with traditional capitals and bases, suited to colonial and Southern revival styles
• Square box columns with clean trim for farmhouse and transitional homes

Fiberglass and PVC wraps resist rot and insects and need only paint. Wood offers authenticity but needs more upkeep. Behind any wrap, a properly sized structural post or steel support carries the actual load.

Stone Bases, Piers and Veneer

Adding stone column bases or full-height piers lifts the wood off the porch floor, which helps against rot, and gives the porch a heavier, more grounded look. Stone veneer can also wrap a chimney, foundation skirt or entry wall to tie the facade together. Our decorative stone accents page shows more ways to use it.

Process, Cost and Timeline

We temporarily shore up the porch roof, remove old columns, check the beam and footings, install new supports and wraps, then add stone and trim. Most column and stone accent projects take one to three days. Typical custom installations run roughly $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the number of columns, materials and stonework. A fresh coat of paint finishes the look; see our exterior painting services.

Common Questions