Pressure Treated Wood Building Tips

1. Storage of columns must be in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area.
S
torage on a porch or under plastic outdoors will void the warranty.
Note: Interior applications can use latex paint.
2. B
efore exterior installations, wood columns
must be primed with a minimum of one coat of
ONLY oil or alkyd primer followed by two coats
of ONLY oil or alkyd paint. After installation, a
final coat of oil or alky
d paint should be applied.
M
ake sure to prime and paint the
ends of the wood column shaft.
N
ote: Spray painting is not recom-
mended. P
aint should be applied
with a brush to adequately protect
the column from moisture.
I
t is extremely important that the
wood is completely protected from
moistur
e before and after installa-
tion. P
riming alone of the column
does not pr
otect the column from
moisture. The ends of the shaft
should be primed and painted
befor
e installation.
Note: Interior applications do not
r
equire the below ventilation tech-
nique.
3.
VENTILATION MUST BE
PR
OVIDED FOR AT THE TOP
OF
THE COLUMN BY A
RECESSED SOFFIT
. Ventilation is provided for at the bottom of
the column by the ventilation openings in the plinth or UHMW
plates. This ventilation must be maintained at all times.
Ventilation is imperative for the longevity of your column, and
must be provided by the installing contractor. If the column is not
properly vented, the paint may peel and the column may crack.
The use of midget louvers, venting directly into the soffit, or vent-
ing under the porch are NOT adequate for proper ventilation.
Water drainage pipes should not be channeled to run through the
columns. Failure to follow these instructions will void the warran-
ty.
1. Determine the position of the plinth by dropping a plumb line
from the center of the beam to the floor. This point on the floor will
be the center of the plinth so that the top of the
shaft will align with the soffit.
2. Level the plinth to the floor, if necessary, by
scribing the plinth to the floor. Make sure that
the original ventilation area is maintained. This
may r
equire enlarging the opening. It is very
important that the plinth is level before proceed-
ing with the installation. (Fig. 1)
3. P
olyur
ethane base/plinths can be attached to
the floor using rust proof screws. Pre-drill for a
toenailing type attachment. Make sure to putty
o
v
er the countersunk scr
ews. Or, countersink (2)
lag bolts through opposite corners of the
base/plinth to the floor. Putty over the counter-
sunk lag bolts. (F
ig. 2)
4. Measure the overall opening height. Raise the
soffit or porch slightly with a brace for easy
installation of column and cap and base/plinth.
Trim wood column, if necessary, from the bot-
tom end only using a circular saw with a carbide
blade. (B
e sur
e to use personal protective wear)
Note: For exterior applications, if the wood col-
umn is trimmed to length, the bottom end grain
must be sealed with a water sealer or wood pr
e
-
servative and primed and painted with oil or
alkyd exterior paint to prevent moisture relat-
ed cracks and decay
. F
ollow the painting
instructions.
5. Apply waterproof paintable caulk to the
top of the base before placing the shaft on top
of the base. Make sure to center the shaft on
the base. (Fig. 3)
6. Attach the column to the base, the column
to the capital and the capital to the soffit
using rust proof screws. Pre-drill and counter-
sink holes angled for a toenailing type attach
-
ment. Putty over the countersunk scr
e
ws.
(Fig. 4)
7. Caulk around the top and bottom of the
column where it is attached to the base and
capital. For exterior applications do NOT
caulk the ventilation openings in the plinth, cap or recessed soffit.
These ar
e important for ventilation and must remain open for prop-
er v
entilation.
8. F
or exterior applications, apply final coat of oil or alkyd based
paint to column. For interior applications, latex paint can be used.
SP
ECIAL NOTES & EXCEPTIONS:
• F
or exterior applications, be sure to follow ALL storage, painting &
ventilation instructions.
• Be certain that the load is evenly distributed over the load bearing
sur
face of the shaft. (Split columns are non-load bearing.)
• I
f building codes require uplift protection, contact Dixie-Pacific for
recommendations.
• 2nd stor
y balconies should not be attached directly to the side of
any wood column. P
lease contact Dixie-Pacific for recommenda-
tions.
• Water sprinklers should NOT be allowed to spray on wood
columns.
This will create a constant moisture problem and will void
the warranty.
• Water drainage pipes should NOT be channeled to run through
wood columns.
This will void the warranty.
•
Wood columns should NOT be used for pergola or open top appli-
cations. This will void the warranty.
• If installing wood columns with decorative capitals, contact Dixie-
P
acific for recommendations.
• For exterior applications, ONLY use oil or alkyd exterior paint on
wood columns.
• F
or interior applications, latex paint can be used.
CUTTING TO OVERALL LENGTH:
Columns can be field trimmed or ordered from the factory trimmed
to a specified length. When trimming a wood column shaft to
length, make sure to always trim from the bottom end only. A cir-
cular saw with a carbide blade can be used to make this cut. (Make
sure to always wear personal protective equipment.) It is not recom-
mended to trim more than the bottom 1/2 of any Colonial tapered
column and no more than 1/3 on any Classical tapered column. The
Classical wood columns have a true architectural taper. (The bottom
1/3 is non-tapered, the top 2/3 is tapered.)
ALTERING FLUTES:
Flutes can be altered only if ordered as a special order from the fac-
tory. Flutes normally need to be altered if the column will be
trimmed in order to avoid cutting into the flutes. Or, it may be
desired to stop the flutes closer to the top of the base. Standard stock
wood columns have a 10 3/4" space from the bottom flute to the end
of the shaft.
1. Secure column to sawhorse or table using clamps. Clamps should
be wrapped with cloth material to provide cushion and to avoid
scratching column.
2. Place the clamps snugly against the column ensuring that the col-
umn will remain in place while being cut.
3. After column is secured, a chalk line should be applied to the col-
umn. To lay the chalk line, place a string over the base end diame-
ter of the column to the center of the string ensuring that the string
is centered. Mark the column on the top where the string is cen-
tered. Run the chalk line from the mark on the top end of the col-
umn to the mark on the base end and snap the chalk line.
4. To make the bottom line, use a circumference measuring tape and
measure the circumference distance from the top mark and place a
mark on the bottom of the column.
5. Once both chalk lines have been applied to the column, set the
saw blade at the appropriate depth ensuring that it will pass cleanly
through the bead/astragal.
6. Use a circular saw with a carbide blade. (Make sure to use person-
al protective equipment.) Begin sawing from the base end moving
to the bead/astragal end.
Columns that ar
e split to surr
ound a str
uctural beam should be
installed similarly to un-split columns. H
o
w
ev
er
, the follo
wing pr
o-
cedure should be followed when putting the split halves back togeth-
er:
1. K
eep column halv
es together and mar
k the column halv
es b
y set
numbers so that they cannot be mismatched. We do not recommend
storing split columns for an extended amount of time. M
ake sur
e
column halv
es match befor
e applying wood glue. B
e
certain that the surfaces to be glued are free of dust
and debris. Also, ar
eas to be glued should be left
unpainted. Lev
el and check y
our measur
ements, and
then install split halves around the structural sup-
por
t.
2.
The shaft should be glued using exterior water
-
proof wood glue. Follow glue manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for applying glue. D
o a trial fit befor
e applying
glue to the wood. P
lace nylon clamps or steel strap
-
ping 12 inches apart along the length of the shaft. To
prevent damage to the shaft use protective
material beneath the clamps and use blocking
wher
e necessary to pull column into round.
M
ake sure not to over tighten. It may also be
necessary to tap along seam with a rubber
mallet. Check and be cer
tain there is a com-
plete contact all along the joint, then r
emove
excess glue.
3. P
olyurethane caps and bases can be joined with a two-part epoxy.
(M
ake sure to apply flashing to the top of any split capital, and make
sure that the ventilation is maintained for exterior
applications.)
4. F
ill any gaps along seam with wood filler and sand smooth with
100 grit sandpaper
. Immediately prime and paint with an exterior
alkyd or oil based primer and paint for exterior applications.
N
ote: Interior applications can use latex paint.
FIBERGLASS CAP/BASE/PLINTH ASSEMBLY WITH WOOD
PL
UGS
1. Determine the position of the plinth by dropping a plumb line
from the center of the soffit beam to the floor. Mark this point on
the floor with an “
x”. This mark is where you will center the plinth
so that the top of the shaft will align with the soffit.
2. Install non-corroding dowels into the floor. These dowels should
fit in opposite corners of the plinth and will prevent the plinth from
mo
ving laterally.
3. Level the plinth to the floor, if necessary, by scribing the plinth to
the floor. Make sure that the original v
entilation area is maintained.
(
This may require enlarging the opening.) It is very important that
the plinth is level before proceeding to the next step.
4. Position wood plug within plinth and check the plug for level. If
the plug is not level, remove the plastic attached to the bottom of the
legs as necessary to level the top of the plug. Make sure to paint the
wood plug.
5. Do a trial fit with the base over the plinth and plug. Be certain that
the fiberglass will be under no pressure when the weight of the shaft
is on the base. The plug must carry the shaft load.
6. Run a bead of construction adhesive around the top of the plinth.
Place the fiberglass base moulding over the wood plug and press onto
the plinth.
Fiberglass Cap Assembly with Wood Plugs:
1. Center the wood plug on top of the shaft and secure in place with
galvanized rustproof screws. Make sure to paint the plug.
2. Caulk where the capital will beet the shaft. Place capital over the
plug.
FLASHING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Flashing (synthetic or copper) is required for
exterior applications on Dixie-Pacific wood
columns with all decorative capitals or any split
polyurethane or fiberglass capital.
2. Flashing should be installed over the top of the
capital by bending the material over the edge.
3. Ventilation should never be blocked by the
flashing. The large opening in the center of the
column is designed for ventilation and should
not be blocked.
4. Silicone caulk should be applied to any seam
where the flashing meets the soffit.
WOOD BASE ASSEMBLY
1. Place shaft onto base. Nail or screw shaft to
base.
2. Caulk where the shaft meets the base.
Note: Wood components are only recommended and warranted for
interior use.
ALUMINUM PLINTH ASSEMBLY
1. Determine the position of the plinth by dropping a plumb line
from the center of the soffit beam to the floor. Mark this point on
the floor with an “x”. This mark is where you will center the plinth
so that the top of the shaft will align with the soffit.
2. If an aluminum plinth is used, install non-corroding dowels into
the floor. These dowels should fit in opposite corners of the plinth
and will pr
ev
ent the plinth fr
om moving laterally.
3. Lev
el the plinth to the floor
, if necessar
y
, b
y scribing the plinth to
the floor. Make sure that the original ventilation area is maintained.
(
This may r
equir
e enlarging the opening.) It is very important that
the plinth is lev
el befor
e pr
oceeding to the next step
.
4. The base mould should be attached to the plinth as follows:
a.
T
urn the plinth and base mould upside do
wn.
b
. Center the plinth o
v
er the base mould.
c. Locate the pre-drilled holes in the plinth. Using these holes as
a guide, drill 3/16” holes into the base mould.
d. I
nser
t the anchor flush with the bottom of the base mould.
e. Using the 1 1/4” screws and washers, screw through the plinth
into the anchor
.
5. P
lace the base and plinth o
v
er the non-corr
oding
dowels.
6. Caulk wher
e necessar
y.
F
. COMPONENT ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
E. JOINING SPLIT
W
OOD COL
UMNS
D. HOW TO SPLIT WOOD COLUMNS
C. CUTTING TO OVERALL LENGTH, ALTERING
FL
UTES & SPECIAL NOTES & EXCEPTIONS
B. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAINT GRADE
COLUMNS
A. STORAGE, PAINTING and VENTILATION FOR
P
AINT GRADE STOCK WOOD COLUMNS
Installation Instructions: PAINT GRADE STOCK WOOD COLUMNS
Stock Wood Column
Installation Instructions
www.dixie-pacific.com • Toll Free 800/468-5993
1700 West Grand Avenue
Gadsden, Alabama 35901-8202
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4