How to Separate Rooms with Columns

Ron pulled into Durham, North Carolina where the Louv family was waiting in their beautiful, traditional clapboard home set alongside a golf course.

Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

When the Louv's built their lovely home, they wanted it to be open, airy and spacious. Now they are wondering if perhaps they might have gone just a bit overboard. The wide openness between the kitchen and the living room seems a bit too roomy. Jill envisioned a couple of columns from the floor to ceiling that would help separate the two rooms. When Ron arrived, she and the boys were ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

1. Design the columns:

• Each column was designed as a long, hollow box, with four sides made from plywood, a base around the bottom and a capital on the top. A variety of trim molding was used to further dress up the design. Ron selected ¾" birch plywood to build the columns.

• To determine a desirable width for the beams, Ron made patterns to help visualize the various options. Aaron and Carter marked different column widths on the plywood, then they used a chalk line to connect the points.

• They were not able to visualize the columns by looking at the patterns alone, so they cut the pieces out using a table saw. Holding up the patterns, they were able to choose a narrower width for their columns.

2. Cut wood and assemble columns:

• Use a table saw to cut the plywood to the desired dimensions needed to build the columns you have designed.

• Apply wood glue to the edges of the plywood, then assemble the pieces together. It's best to use your finger to feel if the edges are perfectly flush. Fingers are more reliable than your eye. In addition to glue, use a nail gun and 8d (eight penny) finish nails to hold the pieces firmly together. While one person uses the nail gun, it is helpful to have another person to make sure that the pieces remain flush.

3. Design and assemble the base and capital:

• The columns were designed with a base, which is a thicker section at the bottom. Designing the base required more discussion and more patterns to determine the ideal height.

• Use a table saw to cut 45-degree bevels on the sides of the base and capital pieces so the raw edges of the plywood will be concealed. Apply wood glue to the beveled edges and then clamp the sides together with an adjustable band clamp. Finally, use a nail gun once again, to nail the base pieces together.

• After the pieces are glued and nailed, you can remove the clamps. When assembling the capital or top piece, only assemble three of the four sides. You will add the fourth side later.

• The column base attaches to the floor using a wooden block or cleat. Mark the position for the attachment on the floor with masking tape then attach the cleat in place with 6-penny finish nails.

• The bases fit like sleeves around the columns, so it's easier to put them on from the side. Use a plastic mallet to help tap the base gently into place, without marring the wood.

• Set the edge of the base down over the cleat and then stand the column up carefully.
• To secure the top of the column to the ceiling, you will need to install another cleat similar to the one attached to the floor. To locate the proper position, temporarily slip on three sides of the column top, or capital, and clamp it in place. Check to make sure the column is plumb, then trace around the inside of the capital. The resulting line will tell you exactly where to place the top cleat.
• Attach the top cleat to the ceiling, stand the column back up, clamp the top capital back in place around the cleat, and nail the fourth side of the capital in place.
• Attach the capital and the base to the cleats with the nail gun and the same finish nails and the columns are securely in place.

4. Add decorative trim:

• You can use a variety of decorative moldings to add detail and interest to your columns on the corners, edges and sides. As a finishing touch, Ron added a crown molding at the ceiling that complimented the crown molding in the rest of the room.
• After the trim is in place, apply caulk to the seams or any place where there is a gap and smooth it with your finger. This will give your molding job a professional look. Use interior spackling compound, also applied with your finger, to fill any unsightly nail holes. Allow the spackle to dry and then give it a light sanding.

5. Prime and paint:

• To complete the project you will need to add a coat of primer and then paint the new columns.

RESULTS:

The columns were beautiful. Looking at them, it was almost impossible to believe they hadn't always been there! The whole family was involved in this project and with each person doing his part, it only took one day to complete! The results were well worth the effort.