The divergence in the middle of Fiberglass Composite Columns And Fiberglass Columns

Architectural columns can be a great expanding to any new home or resumption project. There are many distinct column styles available today and knowing the difference in the middle of the assorted types of columns can go a long way in determining what will look best for your application.

The most favorite columns are made with fiberglass or a fiberglass composite material. The differences in the middle of the two materials are the amount of resin used, the thickness of the columns and the weight of the columns. Fiberglass composite columns are made of marble dust, resin and fiberglass. They have a wall thickness of practically ½" and are considerably heavier than fiberglass columns. Fiberglass columns have no marble dust in their composition. They are produced with fiberglass and resin only. Their wall thickness is practically 3/16", and they weigh practically 2 lbs. Per quadrate foot. Composite columns are load bearing and true fiberglass (Frp) columns are attractive column wraps.

Door Bottom

Both materials have their advantages. The composite columns are more prudent in the smaller sizes from 6" in diameter up to 12" in diameter. In the size range from 14"- 18" in diameter, both materials work equally well as far as cost factors are concerned. When you get into larger sizes, Frp columns can be more advantageous for your task because the lighter material costs less to install. For example, a composite column that is 18" in diameter could weigh as much as 400 lbs. A fiberglass column would weigh 125 lbs. You would not need to bring in a crane or a boom to maneuver and install the larger Frp columns. Specifications and personal option factor into which column works best for your project.

Another difference in the middle of the two materials concerns the use of attractive capitals with the columns. The Tuscan style capital and base fits both the composite column and the Frp column the same. These caps and bases side over the shaft on both conditions. They add no height and can as a matter of fact be trimmed on site, by cutting from the bottom of the shaft, to cut the column to your desired height. When you get to more attractive styles of capitals such as Roman Corinthian, Ionic, Scamozzi, Temple of Winds, modern Composite and others, the factory recipe will help rule which material to use. On the composite columns, the attractive capitals are made for load bearing capabilities. They are not designed to wrap colse to structural supports. This can cause problems when you are trying to hide a 4 x 4 post or I beam. The Frp capitals are a thin walled hollowed shell made for the purpose of wrapping colse to structural posts.

Both materials come in a collection of styles and sizes fluctuating from round and square, flat and fluted, tapered and right shaft.

The divergence in the middle of Fiberglass Composite Columns And Fiberglass Columns

photo scanner auto feed refrigerator drawers