Columns

Columns are structures that are used to support overhead weight such as beams or ceilings.

History of Columns

Many people think of ancient Greece when considering the history of columns. However, it was an ancient Egyptian architect, Imhotep, who is the first person credited with designing columns. These early columns had carvings on them that resembled bundles of reeds, for decoration. These columns may have been developed as many as 2000 years before the ancient Greeks started putting their marks on architecture.

The ancient Greeks did, however, develop the classical orders of architecture which continue to influence how columns are built today—the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.

• Doric columns were simple shafts, decorated with grooves called flutes running up the length of the shaft, and capitals.


• Ionic columns typically included a base, a shaft with flutes, and capital decorated with paired scrolls.


• Corinthian order columns were much more ornate than Doric or Ionic order columns. Corinthian columns had shafts, usually with flutes, bases, and capitals which included highly stylized acanthus leaves, a major part of the capitals' decoration.

Modern Columns

Columns continue to be an important architectural feature in many building projects today. Columns are used to support beams, arches, or ceilings and are also installed for purely decorative purposes. While columns are still made that closely resemble those made in ancient Greece, there are many more styles from which to choose on today's market. Some of these designs are very “modern” in appearance and others combine classical motifs from the Greek and traditional motifs from later periods to create a completely new look. In addition, today's columns are available made from materials about which the ancients would have never dreamed.

Modern Column Materials

Like ancient columns, columns today are available in stone. Stone brings a classical beauty to any building project. However, stone is very heavy, making the columns difficult to handle and install. Stone columns can also be very expensive.

Wood was also another ancient column material of choice. Today, wood continues to have a natural warmth, particularly when it is stained. However, wood columns are susceptible to water and extremes in weather, leading to rotting, cracking, and chipping.

Many columns today are made from urethane. Urethane is lightweight and easy to handle. It does not have the problems that wood has in relation to water and weather. Urethane columns can be almost free of maintenance requirements.

There are also columns available today that include fiberglass in there construction. These fiberglass columns are strong but light in weight.