How to Install Column Wraps

The exterior of the home is a place to let your creativity thrive. It’s just as important as the interior design and is the first part of the home that guests see as they arrive.

For those properties that benefit from beautifully crafted columns, it may be worth updating them. Column wraps are highly popular due to them being easily achievable with a bit of DIY knowledge.

What are PVC column wraps?

PVC Column wraps are architectural columns that go around a structural support. For example, any l-beams, wooden posts, or lally columns for example. It helps to conceal the support itself and any additional wiring that goes with it.

The benefits of these wraps are that they can often cover up a column, post, or beam that has seen better days. With column wraps coming in a variety of styles and designs, the transformation it can create to the home is one that many will fall in love with.

There are further benefits to column wraps but possibly the best one is that they’re maintenance-free. They don’t require much in the way of tools and for anyone who lacks DIY skills, will find this fairly easy to fit. Here are some of the benefits of column wraps:

• Helps to maintain the structure of the beams/columns.
• Weather resistant and helps prevent pests.
• An aesthetically-pleasing addition to the home.
• Affordable and budget-friendly to install.
• Improves curb appeal.
• Provides load-bearing capacity.

If you were considering column wraps, then these benefits are sure to convince you to install them on your property.

Tools required

Before getting started, it’s worth checking that all the tools needed, are what’s readily available. If not, hit pause on this article and go buy the missing tools.

• Level
• Circular saw
• Hammer
• Pencil
• Drill/driver
• Quick clamps
• Tape measure
• Clear PVC glue
• 3” weather-resistant screws
• Cortex or equivalent screws
• PVC plugs
• Sanding block – 320 grit or finer (optional)

A step-by-step guide for installing PVC column wraps

Now comes the fun part - installing the PVC column wraps! Make sure that all the tools above are available and ready by your side to get straight into it.

Step 1: Pick out the right column wraps

Picking out the right column wraps is important because they are going to be picked based on what type of style or design the home currently caters toward. After all, it’s important to have a column wrap that suits the rest of the home and won’t stand out in an awkward fashion.

Think about what options are available and pick out the number of column wraps needed depending on how many there are. To install column wraps, you want to make sure that the wraps you’ve chosen are the ones you’re happy with.

Step 2: Measure out the fit of the wrap over the column or post

To help ensure the right fit is created around the post or column, you’ll want to measure its height. Use the tape measurer to do so and cut the column to the length with a circular saw.

Be careful when doing this to avoid injury. A good way to help create a secure fit is by placing a shim inside the wrap. However, this isn’t always needed.

Step 3: Install the wrap

When the desired length is cut out, place the three-sided section on the column and make sure to fit this as best as possible so that it’s snug.

Secure with weather-resistant screws at both the top and bottom of the column. It’s good to try and place these screws where they will be hidden. Caps and bases will help to cover these.

The alternative to caps and bases is using cortex screws and PVC plugs.

Step 4: Install the remaining side

The remaining side now needs to go on. Lay the remaining wrap side on a flat surface and apply a small bead of clear PVC along the joint edges. Use a bar clamp at the bottom to help hold it in place and use a second bar clamp to work your way up the joint.

Clamp and release as you go up and join the wrap together. Be sure to check that the joint has connected fully and is engaged. Do the same to the other joint edge.

That’s it! You’ve just installed the first column wrap. Now depending on how many you have left, it’s time to get to work on those too. To install column moulding, make sure that the wrap has been picked prior and that the right tools are to hand to make the process easier.