If you’re planning for porch column replacement or installing new columns elsewhere on your property, you may be unsure which material is best. This comparison between fiberglass columns vs wood, concrete, and steel columns will help you know each option more clearly and make an informed selection.
Overall, fiberglass, a modern solution for columns, is the best choice in most cases. If you’re curious and seek more detailed information, we invite you to read the rest of the blog.
Key Qualities of a Good Column Material
Generally speaking, people expect a good column to carry loads safely, last longer, and resist environmental stresses well.
We asked one of our skilled contractors to explain what aspects ensure the high quality of a column material. He told us that there are four areas that people should care about to ensure they’re investing in a good column:
- Durability and lifespan
- Maintenance and upkeep
- Weight, ease of installation, and structural load
- Weather and climate resistance
The longer the column lasts, the less you have to pay for its upkeep.
The easier it is to maintain the column, the fewer challenges you will face, both in the short term and long term.
Lighter columns are easier to handle during installation. Columns that carry heavier loads are, in essence, more valuable.
Lastly, a reliable column material must have strong resistance to harsh weather and climate stresses, to give homeowners peace of mind.
Now that you know what a high-quality column is, let’s get to the main topic of this blog, which is the comparison between fiberglass columns vs wood, concrete, and steel columns. In the next section, we’ll examine each material in detail.
Take a Closer Look at Fiberglass, Wood, Concrete & Steel Columns
Let’s discuss them in separate sections with their strengths and weaknesses:
Fiberglass
FRP (fiber-reinforced polymer) is a resin-based composite material for creating decorative and structural columns.
These columns are typically hollow to reduce weight and can be manufactured in various ways to replicate both traditional and modern styles.
Fiberglass doesn’t absorb water and is highly stable against humidity-driven swelling. Still, prolonged UV exposure can cause surface fading unless the columns are finished with UV-resistant gelcoat or paint.
Despite their low weight, FRP columns can bear extremely heavy loads. Moreover, their lighter weight makes installing them much easier than alternatives such as wood, concrete, and steel.
This material requires minimal upkeep. It doesn’t require frequent repainting, staining, or treating like wood or steel.
Their high resistance against weather and climate stresses makes them an ideal choice for places with unpredictable weather. Well-suited for both sunny summers and harsh winters in Canada.
Regarding its weaknesses, it is worth noting that the initial cost of fiberglass columns is typically higher than that of wood and can be comparable to or higher than steel, depending on the grade and protective coatings used.
Being exposed to UV rays will cause the color on this material to fade away gradually. However, proper coating with high-quality resin can prevent this issue.
Temperature changes can cause the FRP to expand or contract. Fiberglass is inherently less fire-resistant than concrete, so building codes typically require the use of fire-retardant resins or protective coatings to meet safety standards.
Although strong, heavy impacts may seriously damage columns made of fiberglass.
Wood
Construction companies often use solid timber or engineered wood to create columns. The location of each column, whether inside or outside, has a significant impact on determining the type of wood for the production phase.
The natural beauty and aesthetics are the primary strengths of wood material. Besides its warm and pleasing appearance, lower upfront cost is another reason that many homeowners choose wood over other alternatives, such as fiberglass and concrete.
Engineered woods have a high capacity to handle heavy loads. Additionally, its adaptability and ease of cutting, shaping, and forming give the advantage of easy installation. In contrast to steel and concrete, wooden columns have significantly lower thermal conductivity, which helps reduce thermal bridging in specific designs.
On the other hand, wood is usually prone to rot, insects, and decay. Exposure to water and humidity negatively impacts its lifespan, leading to significant repair costs.
Vulnerability to warping, shrinking, and swelling is another disadvantage of this type of material. Maintaining it properly is relatively complex and costly.
Without proper coating, fire can severely damage wood columns, compromising the building’s structural integrity.
If installed in a harsh environment, you can expect its longevity to decrease dramatically, and you should prepare to replace it before any unwanted accidents occur.
Note that different wood species have varied attributes. Therefore, columns made by high-quality wood last longer and face fewer of these issues.
Concrete
To handle heavy loads and reduce the risk of cracks or splitting, contractors usually use reinforced concrete to create decorative or load-bearing columns.
This type of material ensures the maximum strength of the column and can bear extremely heavy loads. It is also durable and fire-resistant. Due to its mass and rigidity, it can resist deflection and bending perfectly.
Another advantage of this type of material is that it can be manufactured in various shapes, sizes, and designs. It’s relatively affordable to maintain, requiring minimal upkeep after its installation.
Lastly, it can withstand adverse weather and climate conditions excellently.
Its first and foremost weakness is its heavy weight, which causes a high dead load, influencing the whole structure. Installing a concrete column is somewhat challenging and time-consuming.
Since there is steel inside the concrete, these types of columns are susceptible to rust and corrosion, especially in humid environments.
Do You Need Professional Column Replacement?
At Roll the Wall, we have experience in replacing various types of columns. If you require professional help with column replacement, contact us now to schedule a visit from our skilled contractors.
The cost of creating concrete columns, transporting the necessary equipment to the site, and all related expenses is significantly higher than that of its alternatives.
Lastly, the requirement to prepare cement for creating concrete is time-consuming and can extend the column replacement timeline.
Steel
Carbon steel, sometimes alloy steel, or special steel for enhanced corrosion resistance, is another standard material used to create decorative and structural columns. Contractors usually coat, paint, or galvanize this type of material to make it resistant to rust and bad weather conditions.
Steel offers high load-bearing capacity relative to its mass. This means lighter and thinner columns can bear extremely heavy loads.
The possibility of making the column off-site and then transporting it on-site for installation reduces labor and time. If appropriately maintained, steel has a lengthy lifespan.
It is also flexible, offering various shapes and designs.
This material’s vulnerability to rust is its most serious weakness. While maintaining steel to prevent corrosion and deflection is necessary to increase its longevity, it is costly.
Steel is non-combustible, but it loses strength when exposed to high temperatures, so fireproof coatings or encasements are often required to meet building codes.
Slender or long columns are prone to buckling under heavy pressure. The overall expense of installing steel columns on your porch or elsewhere in your home, especially premium steel, is usually higher than that of some of its alternatives.
In the next section, we compare fiberglass columns vs wood, concrete, and steel columns.
Durability, Cost, and Style: Fiberglass vs Wood, Concrete, and Steel Columns
Let’s see which of these materials performs better across these three criteria:
Durability and Lifespan
Comparing fiberglass columns vs wood, concrete, and steel columns in terms of durability, fiberglass emerges as the winner. Weather and climate don’t affect its stability, it won’t attract pests, and it won’t get damaged by rot or rust.
After that, steel and concrete also perform well in this category. However, wood is the least durable option, requiring frequent and costly maintenance to last for a longer period.
Cost
Despite the costly maintenance, wood is the most affordable option upfront. But as mentioned earlier, in the long term, you’ll end up spending more than a homeowner who installed columns made of fiberglass and other materials on their porch or elsewhere.
Concrete falls in the middle. Although the material itself isn’t that expensive, the process of creating a column with concrete is labor-intensive, expensive, and time-consuming.
Steel and fiberglass are the most expensive options. Fiberglass requires a higher initial investment. However, in the long term, its low maintenance needs offset the higher upfront cost.
Style
If you’re into aesthetic and classic looks, wood columns are the best choice. Concrete, on the other hand, offers a more modern appearance, aligning with minimalist designs. It’s worth noting that shaping concrete into your desired style requires more time and effort.
Steel is also suitable for modern and industrial decorations. Its lack of versatility is the main drawback regarding style.
Lastly, fiberglass’s high flexibility allows homeowners to mimic various styles, from wood to stone.
Therefore, fiberglass can be considered the winner of this criterion as well.
But does that mean every homeowner should install FRP columns in their homes? Of course not. Let’s see when to use each.
Which Column Material Is Best for Your Needs?
If you’re still struggling to find the best option between fiberglass columns vs wood, concrete, and steel columns, these tips will help:
- Consider the climate in your area
- Think about maintenance tolerance
- Evaluate the long-term upkeep costs of each option
- Consider the appearance you want
- Consider the load-bearing requirements
- Check local building codes and regulations
- Ensure the ease of logistics and transport
In general, if you can afford fiberglass columns and there are no obstacles preventing you from choosing this material, it’s best to opt for fiberglass (FRP) columns.
Let’s conclude the blog.
Making the Right Call on Fiberglass Columns vs Wood, Concrete, and Steel Columns
In this blog, we examined various materials and provided you with a comprehensive guide on fiberglass columns vs wood, concrete, and steel columns. Each material has unique attributes that make it suitable for specific requirements.
As mentioned earlier, fiberglass columns are usually the best option unless you require extra-heavy load capacity or your budget doesn’t allow it.
Our skilled contractors at Roll the Wall are ready to install or replace columns made of your preferred material on your property. Contact us today to discuss your project.
FAQ
Which column material lasts the longest?
Fiberglass typically lasts the longest because it doesn’t rot, rust, or attract pests, and it holds up well in harsh climates with minimal maintenance. Steel can also last many decades if protected from corrosion, but fiberglass requires far less maintenance to achieve its lifespan.
Is fiberglass strong enough for load-bearing columns?
Yes, fiberglass columns are engineered to be load-bearing and can support thousands of kilograms depending on their size and design. They are lighter than concrete or steel but still provide impressive strength for residential and many commercial applications.
Can I get the look of wood with less maintenance?
Yes, fiberglass columns can be manufactured to mimic the texture and appearance of real wood, thereby avoiding issues such as rot, insect infestations, and warping. This gives you the classic wood look with far less upkeep over time.
What’s been your experience with different column materials? Which material would you recommend? Which type would you avoid? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
