Where to Buy Decorative Columns & Why It Matters

When you think of classical home design, chances are good that you think of decorative wooden columns. Whether it’s grand pillars on your porch or interior ones adorning a living room, there are so many ways to incorporate them into your remodel. We feel confident to say that if you’re planning a home renovation in the classical or historical style, columns are an important part.  If you’re wondering where to buy decorative columns, we often recommend you trust a custom wood shop.

At TurnTech, we’re exactly that: a custom woodworking shop — but one that embraces the convenience of the 21st century by offering online shopping, CAD(computer aided drafting), CNC Machining and nationwide shipping.  In our latest blog, we’re answering the pressing question about where to buy decorative columns and explaining why the right ones make a huge impact.

 

Different Column Suppliers, Different Quality

Grand entrance to home with square wood columns

Unless you’re a seasoned contractor or a veteran home remodeler, you’ll be surprised at the number of different wood column suppliers out there. Big box hardware stores almost always carry wood columns — and even Amazon sells them too.

The main reason behind this is that big box stores and Amazon buy columns that are manufactured in bulk, thousands of a time, in factories. On the other hand, At Turntech we manufacture your custom columns made-to-order. This one fact is responsible for differences between big box store columns and woodshop quality pieces:

 

We’re breaking down everything you need to know:

  • Construction Quality — When you’re building thousands of columns at a time, you need to work fast. That’s why big box store columns are almost always built using finger joints. This building method is a problem because those joints are very susceptible to moisture infiltration. If you try to use these cheaper decorative columns as part of a front porch renovation, you may end up needing to replace them in just a few short years.
  • Fewer Options — The style of columns play an important part of defining your home aesthetic. When you work with a dedicated woodshop, you’ll have access to a wider variety of styles, like roped, fluted, tapered and so much more — see what we’re talking about here. Don’t expect that same level of variety from a store that also sells grills and lawnmowers.
  • Lumber — At TurnTech we build with naturally durable mahoghany, Spanish cedar, or yellow pine. On the other hand, a lot of big box column suppliers simply won’t tell you what lumber they use at all. Our focus is giving you as many different lumber options as possible.
  • No Customization — Imagine trying to walk into a big box store and talk to a manager about ordering a column to match your historic porch. It wold likely not happen because what you see on the shelf is what you get. Dedicated column suppliers, like TurnTech, build every wooden column to order so you can specify the exact style you want — or we can even match a picture you send us.

 

Request your custom column quote right here.

Working with the right column supplier is essential whether you’re renovating the inside of your home or the exterior. Not only will wooden columns make an impact on your porch, but they can transform a living room, a home theater, a home office and so many other spaces.

Explore our 7 favorite wooden column interior design ideas.

 

Take Advantage of TurnTech Convenience

Turning a custom requested exterior column

The main reason that people buy decorative columns from their local hardware store or Amazon is simple: convenience. That’s one of the main reasons we do what we do. You don’t need to choose between an easy experience and the top-quality architectural and decorative columns you’ll utilize in your renovation.

We offer online ordering for almost all of our products, and we make it extremely easy to get a quote on your custom pieces. Shop today or reach out to discuss your custom order!

 

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Our Google Reviews

Excellent
Turntech
Based on 64 reviews
Dear TurnTech,
I had ordered 3 custom posts for the porch refurb project back in August 2024 (reference invoice #36387). I finally got around to installing them (sometimes life gets in the way). Attached is a photo. I still need to stain the deck, but the tough part is finished. Posts look great!

Regards,
Steve Coladonato
Abingdon, MD
Response from the owner:Looks fantastic, Steve! We're so glad you're enjoying the posts - thank you for the great review!
Turntech was a company that I was searching for for several years by way of many cabinet and kitchen companies with no success. But another specialty company referred me to you, and I'm so glad they did. Many thanks for the rope trim and prompt delivery!
Response from the owner:Thanks, Christopher! We’re thrilled to hear you’re loving the rope trim!
Thank-you for the great service. We received our material in good time and is just what we needed. Also thank-you for the gift we received. I don't know of any other company that does this. I will try and remember to send photo's of the finished product may be a while.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Betty! 🙌
This wooden ball is going to be perfect for the stairs!!! Just wait until it’s finished!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much!
Had a few legs turned for a table that was commissioned. Exceptional Service and communication, quoting was quick, product was turned in perfect tolerances, exceptional lumber choice, and turnings were properly protected for shipment. I Will definitely be using them on future projects.