There's something elegant about a building with architectural columns. And building towers add a unique look to a structure, too. If you are in the business of building columns and towers, you know that there is an array of products for building columns and towers on the market today.

In many cases the column and tower building products you choose will influence how to build a column. Stone and wood materials differ from prefabricated materials in their building properties such as strength. So, to reach more clients, you need access to the broadest inventory of products for building columns and towers.

There are a number of companies that carry supplies for building architectural columns and towers. Factor in the following points when selecting column building products:

1. There are variety of products for building columns.

2. Customized materials for building a tower or column are available.

3. Many companies specialize in column and tower building products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for companies that offer unique products for building columns

Find out what style and look your client wants. Then you can pick from the many materials and styles available. Discuss with the clients the effects of alterations to the original columns, such as painting.

I recommend: The most popular product for building columns at Worthington Millwork is fiberglass. They also create wood and stone columns and extruded fiberglass towers. The folks at Sandstone Design create columns from cast-stone, an architectural precast concrete material that resembles natural stone. They also use glass fiber-reinforced products and plaster for light-weight columns.

Use custom materials and designs in building a tower or column

Some suppliers of columns and towers can make your architectural designs come to life. If your client has a unique look and feel in mind, sketch it and have an architectural specialty firm make it.

I recommend: In addition to several column styles, Pacific Columns will customize one for you. They will create a column based on your capital, base, shaft, height and texture plans. Emerson Endeavors builds architectural towers in several designs. They offer enclosures and a variety of colors.

Buy your column and tower building products from an architectural supply company

When it comes to buying columns and towers, go to a specialist. Many architectural supply firms focus on columns, carrying many styles and materials. They also stock replacement parts.

I recommend: You can find a wide range of wood and fiberglass columns at Pagliacco. They manufacture and distribute several styles and will create custom designs. Stromberg Architectural Products carries a catalog of column parts as well as complete columns. See their catalog for unique and whimsical designs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to consider durability and strength when selecting column and tower building products. Remember that stone, wood and fiberglass all possess different parameters.