Porch columns can suffer from age and exposure to weather. Once a column has deteriorated beyond minor carpentry repair, you'll need to replace it. Locating a replacement column can be tricky.

The constant exposure to sun and rain can take its toll on a porch. I see a lot of cases where water has become trapped between the base of the porch columns, called the plinth, and the porch deck.

This past weekend, the task on my to-do list was to install the permanent support columns under the porch roof of our warehouse. The principle will be the same whether ...