Repairing/replacing porch columns

[vintagefan]

Does anyone know the best way to install columns so that they last as long as possible..mine only lasted 10 years. Can you tell me what will help to avoid the rot on the bottom (we primed and painted well) and replicating them cost $1,000 each. I want to keep the same style also. Thanks for your insight.

[yarborough house]

First and foremost you need to keep water away from them. You need to make sure your porch has some slight slope away and then add gutters to keep water off of them. Also it helps if you put them on brick pedestal first.

[canadiyank]

I think a few of my posts got deleted b/c I put embedded links in them. Huh. Well anyways, I know there's several companies out there that make pre-fab ones, I think out of PVC? I saw them when researching my own but my contractor ended up making mine. Here's an example of what I mean:

http://www.polyclassiccolumns.com/craftsman-capital-tapered.php