Porch columns can dramatically change the overall appearance of your front porch. Perhaps that's why more and more people are looking to install porch columns for their homes. Maybe you can consider doing the same. Porch columns come in various styles and designs. And that's the first decision you have to make. Of course, you will have to keep in mind the overall look and feel of your entire home before coming to a final decision. Here are four common porch column designs.

Doric columns - These columns have parallel groves on both sides. They are simple looking, and have no separate bases. For this reason, they are also very easy to install compared with other designs. They are most commonly seen in Greece or Italy styled villas.

Ionic columns - These are also simple looking columns. The distinct feature is that these columns have scroll shaped ornaments at the top of the columns.

Corinthian style columns - Corinthian style columns are very popular. They are decorate by laurels, and the top bases have inverted bell shapes on them. In terms of design, these columns are the most complicated. But since the designs are rather intricate, they are also the most beautiful columns.

Romanesque style columns - These columns are square looking, and they rest on trapezium bases. They can be easily recognized from far.

To make your decision process easier, you can always check with your contractor and as for simulation drawings. The goal is to have some hint on how the overall look would feel like before coming to a final decision. Mostly, you will concern yourself with the bases of the columns, and whether you should go for round or square columns. You should then narrow down on the designs to see which are the ones that fit best. Decide early whether you would prefer a more complicated design or a simpler design. Bear in mind that in general, the more simple the columns, the easier it is to install. Still, the most important thing is that the columns help enhance the overall look of the house and thus add value.

Deciding on the materials.

Porch columns can be made from many different types of materials. Most materials, except for Glass-fibre Reinforced Gypsum Columns (which is meant for interiors only), can be used for both indoors and outdoors. Columns can be created from a variety of fibre glass materials as well as wood and concrete. The most popular choice is fibre glass composite columns, and these columns can be installed indoors or outdoors.

Another popular choice is Fiberglass Wound or Filament Wound Columns. These are lightweight columns that are suitable for both interior and exterior construction projects.

If you choose wood or concrete as your building materials, note that you will have to maintain the columns differently. For example, wood may be subjected to mold or rotting, but this does not apply to fibre glass. So you may wish to weigh the pros and cons before making your decision.