I have a front porch covering with four round roman like columns, that looks like this:



We want to change them from round to square, something I would like to tackle myself or at least understand how it should be done so I am educated a bit.

Here is how they are at the bottom:



...and top:



it looks as if the footings on top of the bricks are 2x12s cut square, and then the column trim sits around the column and on those 2x12s to shed water. There are also screws/nails (can't tell because of paint) that fasten the trim/columns too. The columns are some lightweight metal or fiberglass something.

one thought would be to just leave everything as is, and wrap what is there with 1xSomethings. The larger size of the new square columns might make the spacing and proportions looks a bit whacked though...

Any one know how to remove the round casings? Is it a matter of simply cutting all the metal column and trim and exposing the post underneath, so do they disassemble someway?

Assuming I am going to find what type of posts under there? PT wood, metal, 4x4, 6x6?

Any insight would be appreciated...

My best guess is that they are fiberglass or plastic wraps of a wood post. You could remove the wrap and then rewrap. You could also put up temporary supports and replace them. The only issue there is making sure that the temporary and replacement posts can hold the load. It's conceivable that you could replace the two with one and open up the area. Is there something specific that you're looking for style wise? Craftsman? Federal style? Are you totally revamping the look of the house or just the front and tying it in?

Edit: I probably wouldn't do an exterior around the current wrap, I don't think it would look right.

agreed on wrapping the existing - it wouldn't work at the base at all.

We are planning on doing a back deck/gable roof covering and designing that we are going to do brick columns with while posts to match the existing house color/look. As part of that we thought we could make the front columns the same shape and updated a bit - that's really it. No other work on the front of the house planned.

I was thinking the fiberglass/plastic could be removed without the need to remove the post inside it, and I would avoid a bunch of structural support just to change the look of it. Are you saying the posts will have to be removed along with the plastic/fiberglass - if so I am just not following that logic.

EDIT: and as far as turning two posts into one - it wouldn't sit centered on the brick footing for it to look right so I think we will stick with 2 and 2.

CapCity12thMan said:

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agreed on wrapping the existing - it wouldn't work at the base at all.

We are planning on doing a back deck/gable roof covering and designing that we are going to do brick columns with while posts to match the existing house color/look. As part of that we thought we could make the front columns the same shape and updated a bit - that's really it. No other work on the front of the house planned.

I was thinking the fiberglass/plastic could be removed without the need to remove the post inside it, and I would avoid a bunch of structural support just to change the look of it. Are you saying the posts will have to be removed along with the plastic/fiberglass - if so I am just not following that logic.

EDIT: and as far as turning two posts into one - it wouldn't sit centered on the brick footing for it to look right so I think we will stick with 2 and 2.

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The removal would be more for consolidating the posts 2 -> 1. Yes you could most likely remove the wrap without removing the posts. From there you would just have to build a new facade. Easiest solution imo, but someone around here will have direct experience with it.