As the manufacturer of the most technologically advanced porch columns and highest quality synthetic porch products in the world, HB&G pioneered polymer composite columns with PermaCast®, a line of proprietary fiber-reinforced exterior columns with exceptional strength-to-weight characteristics.

Now HB&G announces the latest innovation to their popular split PermaCast columns. These split columns come in two pieces that are used primarily to fit around an existing wood or steel structural support post. With this latest innovation, the company has designed a new aluminum flange system that mechanically fastens both halves of the column together more securely, preventing them from separating.

“Our split PermaCast columns have been so popular because in a matter of minutes you can cover the ugly old porch poles and posts with elegant new porch columns that won’t rot or rust. This makes them perfect for porch renovation projects,” said Tim Bobo, Marketing Director of HB&G.

“Now with our new factory installed flange locking mechanism they’re easier than ever to assemble and they’re designed to work in any environment. We’re very excited and proud to offer this new locking flange mechanism because we made a great product is even better.”

Although HB&G is known worldwide as the leading manufacturer of columns, their product lineup also includes PVC railings, balustrade systems, vinyl pergolas, PermaPorch® ceilings, and a full line of maintenance free column caps and bases, as well as other accessories.

Troy, Alabama – HB&G Building Products, the leading manufacturer of fiberglass columns & other composite millwork products, has named Brian Murray as their new Vice President of Operations. In addition to PermaCast^® Columns, HB&G manufacturers an extensive line of fiberglass, PVC and wood columns, column wraps, porch posts, balustrade systems, railings, pergolas and aluminum columns.

According to Lance Servais, President  & CEO of HB&G, they have a lot riding on the person in charge of operations. “Since 1880 HB&G has had reputation for outstanding quality, especially with our PermaCast^® line, and many of our products come with a lifetime guarantee, so we have to hire the best when it comes to operations. This job requires exceptional talents in both management and engineering, and we think Brian is just perfect for the job.”

Murray says it’s all about the process. “It’s not quite as ‘top secret’ as the CocaCola^® formula, but it’s a very guarded manufacturing process that HB&G has refined to perfection over the years.  What I can say about it is that there is a good reason why HB&G’s fiberglass columns are superior. Our proprietary process results in fiberglass columns that are stronger and lighter with a smoother finish.”

With an extensive background in manufacturing and operations, and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, Murray seems well equipped to continue the HB&G tradition of excellence.

Along with his wife Kate and their children, Murray is in the process of relocating to the Troy Alabama area from Monroe Louisiana, where he held a high-level management position with Graphic Packaging International, a global leader in paperboard consumer and beverage packaging products. Murray says, “It’s easy to see why HB&G consistently leads their industry, and I’m looking forward to doing my part. It’s genuinely exciting to be part of such an outstanding team.”

The International Builders Show in will be held in Orlando from February 8th through the 11th this year. This will mark 12 of the past 13 years that HB&G has exhibited at IBS, the largest annual light construction show in the world.

Since the late 1800’s HB&G Building Products has provided millwork products to the building industry, including PermaCast®, the top seller in porch columns.  HB&G manufactures a full line of high quality, low maintenance, load bearing fiberglass columns, porch posts, porch railing, ceiling panels, balustrade systems and ceiling medallions.

Each year contractors, builders and architects from around the world make their way to this event to attend educational events and check out the miles of exhibits. This is their chance to find the most advanced building products and services” according to Tim Bobo, marketing manager for HB&G Building Products. “We always look forward to attending the show to visit with our old friends and make some new ones.”

Each year HB&G brings some new ideas to the porch and deck category, and this year will be no exception. Visit HB&Gs website for free tickets to attend the show. Use the link at the top of their home page. You can visit HB&G at booth W870. Use this IBS booth locator to see where the HB&Gs booth will be.

Interior columns provide both decorative and functional benefits unlike any other architectural element. Their timeless beauty can adorn a grand entrance way or staircase or be used to frame bathtubs, mantels, bookcases, windows, foyers, kitchen counters,  and doors. They can also highlight focal points or divide space and create borders while maintaining the airiness of a room.

The popular trend has been to paint these columns in high-gloss white. Today the four popular types of columns for new construction or remodeling are:

1.  Wood Columns

2.  PVC Columns

3.  Fiberglass Columns

4.  Aluminum Columns

Unlike columns made of other materials, wooden columns can be stained to bring out the natural beauty and grain of the wood. It’s easier than you might think. Most wood columns already come stain-sanded but you may want to do some light sanding to assure a glass-like smoothness. Follow the manufacturers recommendations carefully.

We’ve found it’s good first step to apply a clear liquid conditioner to fill in the pores and enhance the grain. Allow the conditioner to thoroughly dry before applying a stain of your choice. If you apply a clear topcoat, you’ll be amazed at the depth and beauty this will add to your wood columns (Tip: Always keep a wet edge when staining, and never stop halfway on the column – Go from top to bottom in long, straight strokes).

PermaCast Columns

Permacast® porch columns are the most technologically advanced architectural columns and highest quality synthetic porch products in the world, HB&G pioneered polymer composite columns with PermaCast®, a proprietary fiber-reinforced column with exceptional strength-to-weight characteristics. These are weatherproof, insect proof, highly durable columns require a minimum of maintenance.

For easy remodeling and renovation projects, HB&G launched PermaWrap® wrap-around and split PVC columns. Because they’re made from cellular PVC, PermaWrap® columns are maintenance free, as well as weather and insect resistant. HB&G also manufactures PermaLite® synthetic square columns.

Although HB&G is known worldwide as the leading manufacturer of fiberglass columns, their product lineup goes far beyond that. To compliment their columns products, HB&G also offers PermaPost® porch posts, high quality solid rafter vinyl pergolas, balustrade systems, PermaPorch® ceilings, and a full line of maintenance free column caps and bases, as well as other accessories.

In 2010 HB&G introduced Builder Select railings, the most natural looking, and most sturdy synthetic railing system available today. More recently they acquired the exclusive rights to produce and sell the beautiful, sturdy and easy to install aluminum column line from Columns Inc.

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HB&G is the parent company of some of the biggest names in the millwork industry, including Dixie Pacific, Turnkey Millwork, and Hartmann-Sanders.

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For nearly half a century Dixie-Pacific has crafted top quality fiberglass porch columns, capitals, porch posts, pergolas, porch railing systems and balustrades that have provided elegance, tradition and unique viewpoints towards classic architecture. In keeping with that tradition, Dixie-Pacific introduces several new square fiberglass columns to further assist architects, builders and homeowners in creating architectural masterpieces.

“We’re very proud to introduce our new DuraCast exterior square columns,” said Tim Bobo, Marketing Manager for Dixie Pacific. “We’ve made square tapered columns for years, but this is the first time we’ve been able to offer a full line of square fiberglass columns.”

As with all of Dixie-Pacific’s DuraCast products, these new square columns are designed for all types of indoor and outdoor decorative and load-bearing installations, performing equally well as a commercial building entrance way or a simple front porch column. They are available in a wide variety of styles, including square tapered columns, square fluted columns, applied or recessed panel columns, and craftsman columns. Because they are manufactured from highly advanced fiberglass reinforced polymers (FRP), they are extremely durable, insect resistant, weather and decay resistant, and come with a limited lifetime warranty.

In addition to the new DuraCast square columns, Dixie-Pacific produces a wide variety of columns designed to compliment any project: round tapered (plain or fluted), round-tapered knee-wall (plain or fluted), round non-tapered (plain or fluted), round non-tapered knee-wall (plain or fluted), and square tapered. Each must pass quality control inspections before it is shipped — ensuring that every single column represents the unmistakable Dixie-Pacific craftsmanship.

According to Bobo, not all square fiberglass columns are equal. Dixie-Pacific, is one of a few manufactures that produce a true “spun” fiberglass square column, which is made the same way as the round columns. “This process ensures a more consistent wall thickness and more architecturally square corners on our square fiberglass columns than other manufacturing processes.”

Tim Bobo adds, “Every product bearing our name is backed by an uncompromising dedication to customer relationships with friendly, easy-to-work-with support teams, in-depth industry knowledge that allows us to provide solutions through new ideas, and the absolute best lead times in the market — no matter how big or small the project order.”

These new square columns can be topped off with Dixie-Pacific’s wide range of decorative hand crafted caps and bases, further complimenting any look or style – whether bold, graceful, traditional, or simple. Like all of their columns, Dixie-Pacific’s capitals maintain exact architectural authenticity and historical accuracy.

Porch Columns

Choosing the perfect architectural columns for your home or office can often prove a somewhat daunting experience due to the many choices available today.

There are three parts a column: the shaft, the base and the cap. These are based on the five orders of architecture: Tuscan, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian, and Composite.  Within those orders there are so many shaft sizes, styles, and variations to choose from: plain, fluted, square, round, tapered, recess panel, etc.  And there are column caps and bases that look great with some shafts, and others that just clash.

Dixie Pacific, manufacturer of architectural front porch support columns and decorative interior columns for over forty years, has a solution that makes selecting a column shaft, cap and base easy. They’ve designed a web-based program that allows customers to visualize exactly how their column will look before they order.

With Dixie Pacific’s Column Designer, you choose a new porch column, a column capital, and a column base. The no-fuss system instantly lets you see just how they’ll look together. This is a solution that makes selecting the perfect column a breeze.

“We understand that selecting the right column for your home can be confusing. That’s why we built our Column Designer. This program is free to use on our website and it allows you see exactly how the different styles of caps and bases will look on whatever type of shaft you choose,” says Tim Bobo, Marketing Manager of Dixie Pacific. “With a few clicks of the mouse you can try out several different styles and designs to see which one appeals to you. It makes selecting the perfect column easy, and even fun.”

“We developed this tool to help our customers see how all of these options work together visually.  But of course not all combinations may work well together structurally.  That’s why we also have a team of experts on hand ready to help our customers complete the selection process.”

For many people choosing a base and cap that works with the column shaft they’ve chosen can leave them frustrated and confused, or worse, disappointed after the installation. With Column Designer you don’t need a degree in architecture. It’s easy to use and you to know whether it looks good right away.

Visit Dixie Pacific online or contact their customer service department at:

Dixie-Pacific Manufacturing Company
1015 Brundidge Blvd.
Troy, AL 36081
Toll Free: 800.468.5993
Fax: 256.442.4794

Architectural Columns

Decorative architectural columns have beautifully adorned homes and institutions for centuries. Adding these features can make a stunning difference to the appearance of any structure. But choosing the right types of architectural columns can prove a bit tricky. That’s because today’s exterior columns come in a broad range of styles and materials, including many different types of composite columns.

“I recommend choosing a fiberglass column for most exterior applications. They are insect, weather and decay resistant and require very little maintenance,” said Tim Bobo, Marketing Director of HB&G, a Troy, Alabama based manufacturer of PermaCast® Columns. “When replacing porch columns or choosing fiberglass house columns for outside porches and patios, you really have to do the research because not all exterior columns are alike. Many composite columns do not have architecturally correct proportions and projections, which is very important.”

Another thing to watch out for when replacing porch columns, especially with architectural fiberglass columns, is consistency and appearance. HB&G is one of only a few manufacturers of true spun square fiberglass columns, which are made the same way as HB&G’s Round PermaCast® Columns. “The advantages to a true spun square column are a more consistent wall thickness and architecturally square corners,” Bobo explained.

Once you select the type of fiberglass column that best suits the project, you need to select a style that compliments your décor. This can make all the difference in distinguishing your home or business. Bobo suggests the following application guidelines for choosing among the many types of architectural columns:

Round Tapered columns are the most versatile architectural fiberglass columns. Architecturally correct and historically accurate, they are found in plain or fluted styles and include the classic tapering of the upper two-thirds of the column, a design element originating with the ancient Greeks.

Round Non-Tapered columns add a clean contemporary design while maintaining classical detail.

Square Recessed Panel columns are perfect for when you want to add a traditional element to any design indoors or out.

Square Non-Tapered columns (plain or fluted) work well with round columns, as they complement one another nicely. The crisp detail and design of this column adds a classical element when used as a pilaster or to elegantly line a porch.

Round or Square Knee Wall columns in any style are perfect for pedestals on porches or room dividers, creating a classic elegance.

Round Architectural Columns

For more than 2,500 years round architectural columns have served as symbols of strength for some of the world’s most magnificent structures. Round columns have traditionally signified a civilization’s wealth, power, prestige, sophistication, and endurance.

In ancient Rome load-bearing round columns were used to support such iconic buildings as the magnificent Roman Pantheon, the Greek Parthenon, the beautiful Colonnades, the library at Ephesus in Turkey, the beautiful Maison Carree of Nimes Provence in France, the Temple of Bacchus Baalbek, Lebanon with its forty-two unfluted Corinthian columns, and the Market at Leptis Manga in Libya, North Africa, where dozens of classical round columns now reach to an empty sky with the remains of crumbled buildings at their feet.

The popularity of round columns throughout the Roman Empire continued into the next millennium, down to today. Another example is Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, completed in 1626 AD. Its stoic columns still stand like sentries protecting the treasures within.

Much closer to home in time and place is our own presidential residence, the two hundred and ten year old White House in Washington DC and the famed Lincoln Memorial dedicated in 1922. Both structures are supported by the enduring strength and beauty of classical round columns. Throughout the US countless banks, city halls, theaters, grand hotels and other buildings of prominence bear round columns.

Today, columns come in all styles and sizes for purposes that range from structural support to simply decorative elements. Although some round columns are still made of masonry and marble as in ancient times, the majority of today’s round columns are now produced in more modern materials such as fiberglass or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Both round fiberglass columns and round PVC columns can generally handle higher loads than square columns under a variety of adverse environmental conditions. So it seems that weather for load-bearing capacity, beauty or symbolism the long tradition of round architectural columns has definitely stood the test of time.

For more information about architectural columns visit the industry leader, HB&G Columns, at www.HBGColumns.com.

In the past, interior columns were mainly used to cover structural supports. More recently however, architects, designers, decorators and homeowners alike have discovered that using decorative columns to enhance and define interior space can make a powerful yet subtle statement for any home or office.

Decorative columns are affordable and relatively simple enhancements to any décor. Indeed, both functional and decorative columns add sophistication and architectural detail to an otherwise plain space. But knowing how and where to use them can make all the difference

“Columns provide both decorative and functional benefits unlike any other architectural element,” said Tim Bobo, Marketing Manager for Dixie Pacific. “They can frame windows, foyers, entryways, kitchen counters, bathtubs, mantels, book cases and doors. They can also highlight focal points or divide space and create borders while maintaining the airiness of a room. And since many of today’s columns are made of fiberglass, they are easy to paint and detail while being virtually maintenance free.”

Interior columns consist of three parts: the capital (column caps), the shaft and the base. The uppermost portion of the column is called a capital. This piece is often detailed with designs and carvings. The shaft is the post itself. This can be ornate or simple, round, square, fluted or tapered and is available in a variety of standard or custom heights. The base is the bottom portion of the column, which can also be ornate or simple.

Decorating options for columns are limited only by your imagination – and don’t be afraid to use color. “White columns are nice, but not if they just blend into the woodwork. If you’re going to accentuate your interior space with columns be sure to make them stand out and grab your attention,” suggests Bobo.

There are numerous painting techniques available today that can help focus attention on your columns. But before you decide which one to use, look at your column from all angles and consider every room the column defines, including hallways. Then choose a faux paint style and color to complement these surrounding areas.

You might even want to consider using more than one color to define a column. For example, if the capital or base is very ornate, try accentuating this feature with darker paint – even a metallic paint. You might also want to consider marbling. This easy technique produces a subtle yet classic finish. Stenciling and crackle painting are also easy and fun to do. Each method creates it’s own special look for your column.

Whatever style you choose or however you decide to paint or finish your decorative interior columns, they are sure to add lasting elegance and beauty for years to come.

With a cold blast of arctic air gripping much of the U.S. and Europe, and temperatures diving 20-30 degrees below normal in many places, 2010 may just turn out to be a record-breaking winter. Everywhere you go people are bundling up to protect themselves against the cold – or simply staying inside their cozy homes snuggled up to a warm fire.

Unfortunately, the exterior of our homes does not have the luxury of jumping into a down parka to protect itself against the bitter elements. It bears the brunt of this brutal weather, getting blasted and battered all winter long.

“Bad weather and extreme temperatures really take their toll on the exterior of our homes, especially during the winter time,” said Tim Bobo, Marketing Manager of Dixie Pacific Manufacturing Company. “That’s when we see the most damage done – especially to wood. When moisture gets into the tiny cracks in the wood and then freezes, it can cause wood columns to expand which can split and crack even the toughest wood.”

According to Bobo, that’s why it’s so important for homeowners to make sure they whether proof the wooden parts of the exposed exterior portions of their home with protective paints, stains and moisture sealants. “But there’s just no guarantee that the wood on your home won’t suffer damage from this kind of extreme weather,” he said.

Bobo suggests that homeowners in those areas of greatest risk to the harsh elements might want to consider replacing the exterior wooden elements of their homes, such as porch posts, wood columns, and wooden balustrade systems with fiberglass columns and other synthetic porch products.

“Today’s highly advanced fiberglass porch products are extremely durable, as well as insect, weather, and decay resistant. They require only a minimal amount of maintenance. Plus Dixie Pacific columns come with a limited lifetime warranty,” explained Bobo. “To my mind, that makes them pretty much worry free.”

So while you’re sipping that hot cup of cocoa you may want to look into protecting your home with fiberglass products. Winter is the best time to start planning, while the cost is low and availability high.

HB&G Building Products, the leading manufacturer of architectural columns, has received Builder Magazine’s highest rating in four major categories for their PermaCast® columns. This esteemed recognition was reported in Builder Magazine’s 2009 Brand Use Study, sponsored by Hanley Wood.

Based on a survey sample of 10,800 of Builder Magazine’s qualified domestic builders, builder-developers, and general contractors, PermaCast® columns lead the pack in the Decorative Mouldings & Columns category, finished in first place for Brand Familiarity, Brand Used, and Brand Used Most. PermaCast® also topped all other column manufacturers with the highest Quality Rating in the survey conducted by Readex, an independent research company based in Stillwater, Minnesota.

“These top ratings mean a lot to us because they are based on the opinions of builders, developers, and contractors — the people who are out there working with our PermaCast® products every day,” said Mike Gibbons, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HB&G. “We’re honored to receive this kind recognition because it really speaks to the quality of our products.”

PermaCast® columns are cast from a proprietary fiber-reinforced polymer composite with exceptional strength-to-weight characteristics. They are weatherproof, insect proof, and come with a limited lifetime warranty.

As the original manufacturer of PermaCast® columns, HB&G has been offering the finest in porch products since 1880, and continues to lead the industry in offering the most technologically advanced and highest quality synthetic porch products on the market.

Visit Building Products News for more information on HB&G PermaCast Columns