# Porch Column Alignment Mistakes

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/porch-column-alignment/
- Published: 2020-12-05T12:34:36-05:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

Porch columns and porch posts support a beam that supports the porch roof.

This may sound very simple but this is a crucial area that is frequently done wrong
by carpenters today.

The design is actually very simple yet carpenters continue to mess up a good design.

Here we will discuss two basic types of porch supports: columns (Tuscan) and posts.
Entire books are written on this subject which is quite complicated but here I will
show you the basics you need to know to avoid making common mistakes.

Columns are round and piers are square but we will use the term column interchangeably
here. Porch posts however are narrower and the wood is usually turned – exclusive
to Victorian homes.

**Round columns are based on the Classical Orders of Design**. There are features
a column must have and strict rules for their exact location. There are formulas
to determine the correct proportion based on the height of the column. There must
not be any deviation from the rules of a properly designed column. Reputable manufacturers
will state that their columns are “architecturally correct”.

Turned Victorian porch posts do NOT have strict rules although there are good and
bad designs but that is not important for this article.

[⌊porch column⌉⌊porch column⌉[

A porch column attached to a porch roof beam may seem simple but most carpenters
do it wrong.

Starting from the bottom. **The base of the column or post must be no wider than
the porch pier supporting it.**

The top of the column or post must support the base of the porch beam and the shaft
of the column or post must be exactly the same diameter of the beam. No exceptions.

![porch column alignment](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/
porch-column-align-512x600.jpg)

The shaft of the column is tapered and the top of the shaft (neck) must match the
width of the beam it supports. The capital (top) extends outwards past the beam.

[⌊porch column alignment⌉⌊porch column alignment⌉[

This is how a column must line up to the porch beam.

This is 100% WRONG. The contractor and architect both should end up in a medieval
prison in a cold climate.

![porch column done wrong](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/
porch-column-bad-533x600.jpg)

This is WRONG!! Never do this. This carpenter’s wife should be plagued with runners
in her hose for life.

Turned porch posts line up the same way but the porch beam is not as wide. If your
original porch posts are missing, you must have new posts milled with the top portion
that is square – not turned be the same width of the porch beam. This is an easy
way to determine the size of the original posts.

[⌊turned porch post alignment⌉⌊turned porch post alignment⌉[

Turned porch posts are at least 4″ thick at the square (non turned ends). This matches
the porch beam exactly.

Please ignore the vinyl bead board. I will find an example on a nicer house.

![](/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/icon1.jpg)

Here is a very good video by Brent Hull on [Building Tapered Columns. ](https://buildshownetwork.com/blogs/building_tapered_columns_february_2022)

You can’t explain it better than this!

 

The following books are companion books and I recommend purchasing both of them.
You will be very happy you did.

![traditional construction](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/
11/TraditionalConstructionPatterns-300x396.jpg)

Both of these books are equally important and compliment each other – not duplicate.

[Click here to view this book. ](https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071416323/kenroginskihisto)

[⌊get your house right⌉⌊get your house right⌉[

Both of these books are equally important and compliment each other – not duplicate.

[Click here to view book. ](https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1402791038/kenroginskihisto)

 [](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/store/products/e-book-restoring-your-front-porch/)