Arbor With Decorative Columns

Jacob s

Hello Everyone,
I have a challenge I am hoping someone may be able to help me with. I am going to build an arbor that consists of 4X4 PT posts supporting a cedar arbor. The 4X4 posts will sit inside a decorative Doric column. My challenge is how to treat the top of the column to prevent water intrusion and a good method of joining the 4X4 to the arbor in a way that works well with what ever method of flashing i end up using. I drew a fast drawing in CAD to help describe my challenge. If I am not explaining this clearly, please let me know and i will try again.

I thought about making a piece of aluminum flashing to sit on top of the column then bolting the 2X6 through the flashing into the 4X4 with long lag bolts. Using ice and water shield as a method to seal the bolt penetration.

Even though the post is PT and the column will be fiberglass, I want a good water seal on top of the columns.

Thanks in advance!!

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RobertCDF

Well I was going to say to make something with aluminum and use widow tape... But thats what you already said. So I dont have any new ideas yet.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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Tom R

The last time I installed a column like that the capital came with a custom plastic 'fitting' cap. The brand was HBG (from Home Depot).

Tom R

Come to think of it, - - although it was, as I said, an HBG column (which Home Depot's do sell), - - I remember now that I bought it at my local lumber yard. I'm not aware of the ones from HD ever coming with a custom water-shield cap.

tcleve4911

Sheet lead? like the old days................

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genecarp

i am doing something similar , i will leave the top capdown 2'' from the underside of the header, then i will pour a 2 piece concrete cap. this cap will bear directly on the fibreglass column, and slide right in. obviously the 2 piece cap will accomadate the 4x4. concrete will be sealed. concrete cap dimension to be 2'' larger the top cap. if your interested in more detail, pm me.

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redwood

Often on exposed columns, we eliminate the post and fill the column with concrete (with rebar in place) and place a column base on the top. Seal the concrete and your done.

Mark

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Mark
Los Gatos, CA
www.creative-redwood-designs.com

Jacob s

Thanks everyone for your input...it is very helpful. I have not thought of filling the post with concrete and rebar. That may be a good solution for this project. Do you find it is easier to do it this way instead of installing a 4X4? I can see it being real fun carrying buckets of concrete to the top of a latter.

tcleve4911, if I use sheet lead, what is the best way to seal the bolt connection that needs to penetrate it?

Thanks again!

redwood

It is not fun filling those columns with concrete. That's why I have someone else do it.

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Mark
Los Gatos, CA
www.creative-redwood-designs.com

Jacob s

Thanks Mark,
I guess i should find someone else to do that part of the job too!