Hey folks,

I'm in the middle of a big renovation to make my plain '50s rancher look more like an A&C cottage. One thing we are doing is adding a covered front porch and so I'll be choosing columns for it. I've been looking at all sorts of houses and magazines. There seems to be a fairly even dispersion of square, round, tapered columns in use. This won't be a true bungalow look, so I won't be doing piers or really stout columns. I would be curious to hear some opinions on what kinds of columns you like and why.

Thanks,
Eric

wow, i guess great minds really do think alike.

i have been puzzling over this very thing for a long time, and was making sketches last night.

i have attached a group of images of columns that i think are easily adapted to ranches.

all can be constructed around either two or three 4x4 post or a single 6x6 post. the bases can be framed around the posts to form plinths or piers with solid or plywood pieces and trimmed and painted.

i could email you a drawing when i get things more detailed.

Thanks Don. I'm liking the tapered craftsman columns quite a bit, but I'm not sure on cost of these vs.. more ordinary square or round columns. I'll post some photos of my rancher project when I get a chance. Basically taking a simple rancher and adding a new wing with a big shed dormer and also putting 2 shed dormers on the existing house to match the addition, with a covered front porch. I'm hoping it will turn out pretty cool, but getting things from paper to reality is always interesting.

Regards,
Eric