Fiberglass Columns 5 Costly Mistakes to Avoid

WHY FIBERGLASS? 
Because they offer so many advantages over traditional wood columns, fiberglass 
columns have become very popular during the last several years. 

•  Consistent quality and reduced maintenance
•  Easy to install with standard carpentry tools
•  Can usually be painted with acrylic paint or oil-based paint
•  Most are readily available in a variety of sizes and styles
•  Won’t chip, warp, peel or splinter the way wood does
•  Less impact from water or high humidity
•  Resistant to termites and other insects

WEATHER AND WOOD
Bad weather and extreme temperatures can take a toll on exterior wood 
columns, especially during the winter. When moisture gets into the tiny cracks 
in the wood and then freezes, it can cause wood columns to expand. That can 
split and crack even the toughest wood. Fiberglass columns are not susceptible 
to this problem.

MAINTENANCE AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
Fiberglass columns also require considerably less maintenance, and they 
offer many more years of structural integrity than wood for foam/poly 
columns. It should be noted that foam/poly columns are not load bearing. 

EASE OF INSTALLATION
Fiberglass columns are relatively easy to install. The chart below shows that 
fiberglass columns take considerably less time to install and finish than wood 
columns. Where wood columns can take several hours to install and properly 
finish, fiberglass columns should take considerably less time.