Worthington Millwork 6 Inch Round Tapered Architectural Fiberglass Columns Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- Worthington Millwork
Table of Contents
Worthington Millwork 6 Inch Round Tapered Architectural Fiberglass
Columns
INSTALLATION TIPS
- Note 1: Decorative Capitals When installing a round Fiberglass column with a decorative capital, subtract the cut at bead (“T”) dimension (distance from top of the decorative capital to top of neck mold) and add the height of the decorative capital. This can lengthen or shorten the height of the column. You can find the cut-at-bead (“T”) dimension in the products brochure.
- Note 2: Required Loading Ensure concentric loading of the column, 100% of the bottom must contact the substrate and 75% of the top must contact the soffit.
- Note 3: Hand Rall When attaching hand rails or corner irons to round or square fiberglass columns, holes must be pre-drilled.
- Note 4: Cap and Base Light sanding may be needed for the correct fitting of the base.
- Note 5: Do not install columns below grade or fill them with concrete.
- Note 6: If used In free standIng applications, structural posts may be used.
PAINT TIPS:
- Make sure all surfaces are clean. Prime with an exteriorgrade bonding primer (XIM primer 400 white or made for use with fiberglass or plastics) and 2 coats of high-quality exterior-grade acrylic latex paint.
- Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for priming and finishing of fiberglass composite column and polyurethane cap and base.
- Do not paint using dark colors (dark colors are considered any color that falls within the L values of 56 to 0). Lis a measure of the lightness of an object, and ranges from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
Round or Square Fiberglass Installation Instructions
- Measure the opening in four places: front, back, left, and right of column (see drawing). Mark the column accordingly. If a column is too long, shorten the length from the bottom.
- Use an abrasive saw (masonry or carbide tip blade). Rne trim top and bottom with a rasp to ensure flat surface contact.
- Slip the base over the top of column shaft and allow it to slide to the base of the shaft. Slip the cap over the shaft and allow to rest on the neck mold. Some sanding may be required.
- Apply construction adhesive• to the top and bottom surfaces of column.
- Put assembly in place and plumb. Make sure the load is centered over column shaft and evenly distributed around the bearing surface.
- Mark and drill holes in the floor and column shaft for comer/ angle brackets (not included). (Column installation kit available #17040)
- Apply construction adhesive• to the top of the cap, press against the structure, and screw or nail into place.
- Apply construction adhesive• to bottom of the base and nail or screw to the floor.
- Mark the location for the supplied neck molding. Apply construction adhesive• and put neck mould in place.
- Pre-drill holes through neck mould into the column. Screw neck mould in place or pre-drill and use finish nails.
- Set screws or nails and use caulk to cover holes.
Use a non-acetone-based exterior-grade construction adhesive.
WARRANTY IS VOID IF INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED
Square Fiberglass Column Installation Instructions
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Determine the position of the column shaft by dropping a plumb line from the center of the beam to the floor. Mark this point on the floor with an “X”. This mark is where you will center the column shaft so that the top of the shaft will align with the center of the beam. On the bottom of the beam and on the floor surface, measure a distance out from these center points in 4 directions (half the width of the column shaft) and mark those distances. Use a carpenter’s square to outline the column shaft through these marks. When you install the column shaft, you will align the column to these marks.
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Measure the overall height. Raise the beam slightly with a brace for easy installation of the column.
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Lay column on saw horses and trim column shaft to length. Column shaft can be trimmed from the top or bottom since the shaft is non-tapered. Cut with a circular saw with an abrasive masonry blade or fine tooth carbide blade. Finish both the top and bottom of the shaft with a rasp or sander to ensure an even load distribution around the bearing surfaces.
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Slide the neck mould (if included and assembled) over the top of the shaft to the desired location (do this before sliding capital over the shaft). Fasten neck mould to the shaft using construction adhesive and countersink non-corrosive screws. Slide cap over the top of column shaft. Let capital slide down to rest on the neck mould temporarily until the shaft is correctly positioned. Caulk between neck mould and shaft and fill countersunk screw holes with caulk or exterior filler.
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Slide base onto column shaft from bottom. Use masking tape or shims to temporarily hold base approximately 12″ up from the shaft bottom.
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Place the column in a vertical position with the beam load centered over column shaft with an even distribution around the bearing surfaces. Be sure to align the perimeter of the column shaft with the marks you made in Step 1. You can use a 4′ or longer level to verify column shaft is plumb.
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Remove the brace to allow the load to bear on the column shaft.
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Use small L-brackets included in the cap and base kit, and on opposite sides of the column shaft to attach the column. The vertical legs of the
L- brackets should touch the face of the column shaft. Use the holes in the vertical leg of the L-bracket as guides to pre-drill the attachment screw holes into the column shaft. BE SURE TO PRE-DRILL HOLES. Be careful to not over-tighten screws. -
POLYURETHANE Cap and Base: Slide cap up to the soffit and attach to the soffit using non-corrosive screws. Attach the base to the floor and bottom of the shaft using non-corrosive screws or appropriate fasteners. Countersink holes so screw heads will recess into the cap and base material. Fill holes with exterior
“Bonda” or filler. SYNTHETIC INJECTION MOLDED (SIM) Cap and Base: Attach using non-corrosive screws in the holes pre-molded in the cap and base. Fill holes with “Bonda” or filler. -
1 a.Caulk between cap and soffit, the cap and shaft, and the base and shaft for
a finished appearance.
SPECIAL NOTES AND EXCEPTIONS:
- Be certain the load is evenly distributed over the load bearing surface of the shaft. The column should be loaded concentrically with 100% contact on the bottom with the substrate and 7 5% at the top with the soffit.
- Permalite® columns are not intended to be split.
- Split columns are non-load bearing.
- If building code requires uplift connection, contact your distributor or dealer for recommendations.
- Do not paint using dark colors (dark colors are considered any color that falls within the L values of 56 to 0). Lis a measure of the lightness of an object, and ranges from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
- Spray painting is not recommended. Paint should always be applied with a brush.
- 2nd floor balconies should NOT be attached directly to the side of any Square Fiberglass Column.
- Water should not be allowed to collect inside Fiberglass Columns. Flashing should be used to channel water away from the inside of the column. A drainage hole can be drilled in the bottom of the shaft and plinth if necessary.
- Columns should never be pressure washed or sprayed with water prior to installation.
- Columns are not designed to be set into masonry.
- Concrete should never be used to fill Fiberglass Columns. This will void the warranty.
- Do not install columns below grade. This will void the warranty.
FINISHING AND PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS:
- Use warm soapy water and a sponge or soft brush to make sure all surfaces are clean and oil-free prior to painting. Rinse with water. Do not use a pressure washer. Allow column to completely dry before applying finishes. Finishes will not adhere well to damp, dirty, or oily surfaces.
- Apply a high quality exterior-grade bonding primer (like XIM Primer400 White or a bonding primer made for use with fiberglass or plastics) and 2 coats of high-quality exterior-grade acrylic latex paint. Painting without the use of a bonding primer can lead to adhesion issues.
- Follow paint manufacturer’s instructions for best results. There are different grades of paint available. Check with painting professionals and use products that will provide a long-lasting finish in exterior applications. Do not use paint or solvents containing acetone.
- Failure to properly finish and maintain the finish can damage fiberglass columns and will void the warranty.
LIGHTWEIGHT SQUARE RECESSED PANEL COLUMNS
ATTACHING TOP AND BOTTOM PANEL INSERT KITS & PANEL DIVIDER KITS PRIOR TO COLUMN INSTALLATION:
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Before installation, apply the panel insert pieces to the top and bottom of each side of the column shaft (Field trimming shaft to the desired length before attaching insert pieces). Each column will include (4) top panel insert pieces and (4) bottom panel insert pieces. The pieces can be attached to the shaft using a construction adhesive and non-corrosive screws (screws must be countersunk and filled with a fiberglass body filler, such as “Bonda”).
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If using panel divider pieces to achieve a two-panel or three-panel design column, attach in the same manner as the panel insert pieces. First measure and determine the placement of each of the panel divider pieces and attach to each side of the column shaft using a construction adhesive and countersunk non-corrosive screws.
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Fill the seams where the panel insert pieces and panel divider pieces meet the shaft and the countersunk screw holes with a fiberglass body filler, such as
“Bonda”. -
Follow “Square Fiberglass Column Installation Instructions” Steps 1-10 & “Finishing and Painting Instructions” Steps 1-4.
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