Make A Statement With Decorative Columns & Millwork

The use of columns and millwork in your design can give your home a unique look and elegant appeal. Perhaps nothing is more inviting about a home than a cool and relaxing front porch adorned with details like beautiful columns and porch railings and balustrades. Because of its inviting charm, it is no surprise that front porches are one of the most demanded items by customers searching for home plans.

When using columns, always make sure that you choose a size that is proportionate to your overall design. Columns can appear overwhelming if they are too large or weak and spindly if they are too small. If your plan calls for a certain column size, do not change it without consulting you architect/designer or builder otherwise you may be disappointed with the end appearance. Maintenance is no longer an issue when using columns thanks to an array of products that are maintenance free such as fiberglass and PVC. If the column is going to support structural loads, make sure you choose a column rated for the load. If you are one that must have wood columns, make sure that you use pressure treated material, especially at the base otherwise you may be replacing them in a matter of months due to decay.

Millwork include all of the highly detailed architectural elements that add interest to your home's design, including corbels, brackets, rosettes, railings and trim just to name a few. For millwork items used on the exterior, you will probably want to use maintenance free products like fiberglass and polyurethanes.

A few suggestions for using millwork that will add architectural appeal and value to your home:

• Shutters: Most homes today have plastic or wood shutters in standard stock sizes permanently attached to the window trim. Try using millwork window trim that will accept functional shutters combined with shutters sized to fit the actual opening. The shutters can be custom made from wood or synthetic material in various styles to match any design. The result is an authentic architectural detail that adds both function and value.
• Corbels & Brackets: Opulent homes built by the wealthy and elite in earlier times often used these items to enhance the home's architectural details. However, thanks to mass production, brackets are now very affordable for use on even modest homes. Try using them to dress up the otherwise dull cornice area of your home. Like most millwork today, they are available in maintenance free materials.

To enter the vast universe of millwork and columns and explore what is available, just type in the word "millwork" on your online search engine. You will discover thousands of interesting architectural millwork products that will enhance your home. One word of caution: the use of detail can easily be overdone and diminish, rather than enhance your home's appearance. To avoid this problem, consult with your designer and builder about how you want to use millwork products in and outside of your home.