Square Columns and Craftsman Fiberglass Columns

Square Columns Began as Craftsman Originals

The variations on architectural columns are almost endless, but one style that is uniquely American is the square column. Although no one can pinpoint when the first square columns were used in an architectural sense, they were first popularized during the Arts and Crafts era between about 1880 and 1915. This movement encompassed architecture, decorative arts, design, furniture building and textiles, focusing on elevating the status of the “craftsman” and idealizing his pride in personalized handiwork.

New Styles Made Use of Square Columns

During this era, Craftsman style bungalows became a very popular house style. With long, low profiles and deep eaves overhanging the windows and porches, bungalows needed sturdy columns with strong, clean lines. Square columns came into favor for bungalows because they worked very well with the many angular elements of the architecture and had more of a “hand made” look to them.

Craftsman style homes tended toward three different major styles: Prairie, Mission, and Bungalow homes. All of these became very popular, but Bungalows are the most recognizable today and commonly featured square columns or half columns of wood combined with other natural materials such as stone. During the height of the bungalow’s popularity, a great many homes were built with stone porches with a roof supported by tapered square columns. These square columns had the weight and rustic charm that was prized by fans of the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized clean, organic lines and simple designs. These homes also featured gorgeous custom millwork that many homeowners today are restoring with fiberglass millwork in order to preserve the style for years to come.

The Versatility of Square Columns

Today, square columns can be used in a variety of ways. They are lovely flanking a fireplace or used to define two areas of a large, open room. The crisp, clean lines can add a sense of importance to a den or office and are a bit more masculine than more ornate styles such as Corinthian columns.

Square columns are also excellent additions to more contemporary rooms that need a bit of architectural detail. They add interest and texture without being too formal or elaborate.

Square columns are extremely versatile because they have so many stylish variations. For the plainest possible style, there is the unfluted, straight square column. You can add fluting for more interest, or use raised or recessed panels on each side of the column. If you have raised panel wainscoting in the dining room, mirroring the panels on columns flanking the doorway or used in the living room can tie the look of the rooms together seamlessly.

Square columns are often tapered for an interesting twist on the traditional column. Although you can’t use fluting on a tapered column, you can choose to use architectural panels that are shaped like a trapezoid to follow the angles of the column if you like.

Today, home owners often use fiberglass square columns to add decorative detail in areas where support isn’t needed, but some added style is in order. For porches, square and tapered square columns remain very popular for their easy installation and rustic good looks.