Porch / decking post wraps - UK

[sealtt]

Hello,

I am looking at having a roof added to my raised deck for a covered deck which comes off the side of my house. I was thinking to have the structure built using 4x4 posts.

I know in the US it is popular to 'wrap' 4x4 posts in a decorative column wrap to make them look a bit smarter.

Does anyone know of any UK companies which supply such things? Or anyone used a US supplier who can ship securely to UK (for relatively good price)?

Please see some photos of what I mean.

Thanks.

[BaldOldMan]

Wow - it never occurred to me that they were not just thicker wooden posts.

From the pics it looks an easy DIY - isn't it just some packing & planks ?

[Bill]

BaldOldMan said:

Wow - it never occurred to me that they were not just thicker wooden posts.

From the pics it looks an easy DIY - isn't it just some packing & planks ?

+1 And I'd be comparing the cost of using thicker uprights Vs the labour and materials for the "wrap".

[sealtt]

BaldOldMan said:

Wow - it never occurred to me that they were not just thicker wooden posts.

From the pics it looks an easy DIY - isn't it just some packing & planks ?

Ha, yes, the US market has some really interesting products to finish off outdoor spaces, strangely not that popular here ... despite a covered area seeming like a pretty good idea in British summers...

I did think that the carpenters could just whip something up relatively easily, but with off the shelf ones you can get a range of designs, even more intricate ones, without the extra labour. My understanding is that in the US they tend to use the kits - so presumed it would be a cost saving to do so - if I can find a UK supplier anyway...

This whole thing - stone base and wood post - is just a wrap around a regular wooden post!

[sealtt]

Bill said:

+1 And I'd be comparing the cost of using thicker uprights Vs the labour and materials for the "wrap".

The main issue is that the decking is already built with 4x4 posts, so it would require a lot of changes to change all the uprights to a larger post to match the whole way around. Also, due to the roof shape there will be a few posts so it might get a bit crowded to have larger posts.

Please see plan here. The posts supporting the roof will just replace the position of existing posts.

I am probably not looking at actually increasing the size of the post significantly, just looking to get a nicer finish on the post, with maybe some detailing where the post meets the balustrade and where it meets the roof.




I'd love to see a supplier of wraps like this:



Alternatively, ready fabricated trims like this for the base of post for example. Then a sleeve to fit the 4x4 for a perfect finish rather than rough sawn 4x4 which might not look good, even if painted.

Edited by sealtt on Thursday 17th October 15:31

[scottydoesntknow]

sealtt said:

6" x 1" with strip wood glued and pinned to form the 'recessed' panel?

sealtt said:

Decorative moulding/skirting board mitred?

[number2]

How fascinating, never thought much about them but seems like a good idea. Found something, albeit not especially decorative.

https://www.decksupermarket.co.uk/products/upvc-po...

[alorotom]

sealtt said:

This whole thing - stone base and wood post - is just a wrap around a regular wooden post!

That's really shocked me. I'd never considered that they might not be "real"!

[sealtt]

scottydoesntknow said:

Decorative moulding/skirting board mitred?

Interesting idea, could regular interior fittings be used if they are treated?

[sealtt]

number2 said:

How fascinating, never thought much about them but seems like a good idea. Found something, albeit not especially decorative.

https://www.decksupermarket.co.uk/products/upvc-po...

Thanks for the link, my concern with that product is if PVC might look bad in person. We want a natural finish feel, though composite or artificial materials could work if done well (e.g the composite weatherboards).

I have considered just having the 4x4 posts sanded to give a smooth finish and then painted white. But I don’t know if they come out well.

[BaldOldMan]

sealtt said:

Interesting idea, could regular interior fittings be used if they are treated?

Can't see why not - as long as it's sealed it should be fine. You'll be painting the front anyway which will do it, but you'd need to paint or do something else to the back (to be on the safe side) & particularly any exposed edges / ends.