1) Does your company sell COLUMN COVERS, COLUMN SURROUNDS, COLUMN WRAPS?

Yes! Column Covers also called column surrounds or column wraps are essentially a whole column split in half for reassembly around a structural support. All of our columns, Fiberglass, Polymer Stone, Polyurethane, and Wood, can be split and used to surround lolly columns, wood posts, etc. Our Polyurethane Columns are the most accomodating because the columns are actually manufactured in 2 halves and then assembled into full columns so if a customer needs a split column, we simply do not assemble the column: Each half comes with an interlocking edge which allows for easy reassembly around any support. The Cap and Base are then split using regular wood working tools and assembled around the column shaft. Since our Polyurethane columns come primed with 2 layers of high quality primer, after some touch-ups to the seam, the column is ready for final paint finish. All of the other column types do not come with the interlocking edge but are frequently used as Column Covers: see Split Columns for more information.

2) Does Architectural Mall provide Pricelists?

No. Quoting a column and/or balustrade project involves a lot of work so we try to do all quoting inhouse. If we quote your project, you can rest assured that everything that you need is included in the bid. We do provide catalogues at no charge to our customers but the catalogues are without prices for the aforementioned reason in addition to the always changing costs of raw materials. Feel free to call in for prices, request a quote via our online contact form, and/or fax in or mail in blueprints. If you use the E-mail address on the contact form to request prices, please provide all of the contact information that is requested on the contact form. The E-mail (sales@columnsandbalustrades.com) address is a good option if you have a picture or PDF files that you want to attach in order to facilitate the quoting process. We do give prices over the phone in some cases but prefer to generate formal quotes with prices, terms, and lead times clearly spelled out.

3) Where is your SHOWROOM? Do you sell DIRECT?  Local Distributors?

Architectural Mall's corporate headquarters and showroom is located in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.  We do not have showrooms in other states but we will gladly send actual product samples for a nominal fee.  Even if you don't get to see our product before ordering, rest assured that Architectural Mall, Inc. only sells premium products at competitive prices. Many customers ask if we have local distributors in their area because they are concerned with high shipping costs.  While the rising costs of transportation are reason for worry, most orders qualify for free shipping or low, flat-rate shipping nationwide.  The only product with higher shipping costs is Polymer Stone mainly due to the weight of the product.       

4) Should I get round tapered or NON-Tapered columns?

Round Tapered Columns are considered to be architecturally correct and are known as Classical Columns. A crucial part of the modeling of the classical column is its entasis, the subtle curvature that causes the column to swell at the bottom, as if to express the load that it is bearing. The lack of entasis on extruded aluminum “columns” is why they look so lifeless in place. Because of the extrusion technology used in their manufacture, extruded aluminum “columns” have a uniform diameter throughout their length. An extruded aluminum “column” is actually a post, because the shaft can be turned upside down and — without entasis — it will look exactly the same. Read more at: Classical Columns

5) Which Caulking do you recommend?

Architectural Mall, Inc. gives no warranties express or implied on any caulking materials but the following caulks work with our products based on experience. For Synthetic Stone installation (non-painted applications), BASF's "Sonneborn Sonnalastic NP1 and NP2" work well and the colors that BASF offers match up closely to several of our standard colors. The difference between NP1 and NP2 is that NP2 has some texture to it and resembles chinking. Chinking is also a good product to use as the texture matches up with our textured products: We give no recommendation on chinking products.

For fiberglass Column or paint-grade column installation and polyurethane balustrade installations, follow our Installation Instructions for caulking/adhesive advise.

6) How do I Install Split Columns?

Please visit our Installation Instructions page for specific installation instructions.