Selection and installation of caps on brick pillars

Pillars made of stone or brick perform a support-separating function between the sections of the fence. At the end of construction work, caps are mounted on them, which give the structure an aesthetically finished look and protect from the harmful effects of the external environment. A variety of materials from which overhead structures are made allow them to be matched to any fence, taking into account the style and structure of the building.

The caps on the fence supports have a protective and decorative function. If they are not installed, then under the influence of the external environment, the following processes will occur with the brickwork:

• the effect of moisture on the brick leads to its destruction, it begins to crumble;
• the solution is gradually washed out;
• direct rainfall on the upper part of unprotected masonry can change color and deform the structure;
• hollow pillars are especially affected, they are clogged with dirt and water;
• in winter, water, freezing, expands and leads to cracking of the building material or its complete destruction.

Poles that are not protected by caps will not last long and will need constant repair.

The pads have all the necessary technical characteristics and solve the following tasks:

• they are hermetically put on the poles, protecting them from external influences;
• the strength of the covering material makes the masonry durable, extending its service life;
• inconspicuous and reliable fasteners do not spoil the appearance of the caps;
• the slope and grooves of the structure protect the brick columns from precipitation;

• the material for the linings is selected to be resistant to corrosion and physical stress;
• the fence takes on a flawless appearance;
• a large selection of materials and configurations stylizes overlays for any type of fence;
• caps are decorative, they can be decorated at the request of the owner or used as a place for additional lighting.

Intake hoods are diverse and can be classified according to manufacturing methods, configuration and material from which they are made.

The shape is chosen depending on the style of the fence and the preferences of the owner. It can be domed, with four slopes, cone-shaped, in the form of a pyramid or an eastern pagoda.

Sometimes they are decorated with a spire, lamp, sculptural figures. All of these elements must be made of durable materials that can withstand the weather.

The overhead construction consists of an upper and a lower part. The fastening is the bottom of the cap (skirt), it is rather tightly planted on the post and becomes almost invisible under the upper part. The hood itself is sealed, has an attractive appearance, its design ends downward with slopes and grooves to remove moisture.

Technically, caps are made in different ways - by casting, stamping, they can be made by welding, bent in different ways, or forged products.

The linings are even more diverse in terms of the composition of the material from which they are made.

Some owners make their own plugs from tin. Caps made with the participation of forging look spectacular. The industry produces nozzles made of stainless steel, copper, brass, galvanized. To avoid corrosion, polymer coatings are applied to the caps, it can be plastisol or polyester. Copper and brass products can last for over a century without replacement.

Metal plates are made curly, they become a kind of decoration of the fence.

The sheet metal is often lightweight and should not be installed in areas with strong winds. It is necessary to take into account the sounds that metal makes from the impact of raindrops or hail and should not be placed near the windows of a residential building.

They weigh up to 20 kg, they will not be blown away even by a strong wind, but its constant effect on concrete over time will have a negative effect, this should be taken into account when installing such products in windy places. Concrete pads are cast in any shape and are well bonded with mortar. They are installed on brick pillars if the fence is made of stone, concrete or brick. Such caps are not suitable for other types of fences.

Concrete overlays are made in a color that repeats the shade of a brick pillar or enters into contrast with it. This product looks reliable, presentable and if it is made with high quality, it is. Poor-quality concrete caps, according to the owners, take the form of a shapeless lump in a year.

Products are made of natural and artificial stone. Natural stone looks great, has special strength and durability, but it weighs a lot and is expensive to the owner. A product of artificial manufacture is much cheaper, it cannot compete with natural stone in quality, but it will provide a solid, majestic view to the structure.

This is a beautiful mosaic type of overlays that looks exquisite and expensive. It really costs a lot. This material should be handled with care due to its fragile structure.

The latest development, which has already been appreciated and chosen by consumers for its durability, affordability and impeccable appearance. They are made from sand, polymers and various modifiers. They have a wide range of colors, imitate natural stone, tiles, and are transparent for setting internal lighting.

Composite-based material can not only cover the pillars, but also the brick fence itself.

Cheap lightweight material is not durable. Used for temporary protection of pillars.

Such caps are easy to make with your own hands, they are in good harmony with the garden landscape. They can have various forms, up to sculptural. Meet the specific styles and intentions of the designer.

Created from soft tiles. For the formation of hoods, trimming of building material after roofing works is suitable. Liquid rubber serves as a waterproofing agent.

Thanks to innovative production, beautiful, lightweight and durable hoods have appeared that can withstand temperature fluctuations from minus forty to plus ninety degrees. The density of the product is guaranteed by the content of polycarbonate with acrylic and quartz glass. They cannot be scratched and are easy to assemble.

The illuminated overlays look fantastic.

When choosing a product, you need to have a minimal idea about it. The cap for the pillars consists of two parts: the lower one is a fastener that holds the covering element on the surface of the brickwork, the upper one protects the structure from aggressive manifestations of the external environment and at the same time decorates it.

Cap compatibility depends on many factors covering a wide variety of areas. But first of all, you should combine them with those elements for which they are purchased.

• Concrete pavement, due to the large weight, are suitable only for posts and fences made of brick, artificial and natural stone, as well as concrete fences. They cannot be combined with metal and wood supports.
• Metal capsdue to its hollow shape, it is used in cases where it is necessary to carry out lighting. They are combined with metal spans. But by and large, the metal is suitable for masonry, and any other type of pillars.

• Stone onlays they are combined with a brick base, but they will look more harmonious with a stone, for example, a white marble column completes its image with an ideal coating of the same material.
• Wooden caps go well with a brick base, but wood must also be present in the fence itself.
• The same applies to forged products, brick pillars, having such caps, should repeat the elements of forging, if not in the fence itself, then at least in the decor of a wicket or gate.

When buying caps, in addition to size and compatibility, you should pay attention to other criteria:

• first of all, check the accompanying documents, quality certificate, product warranty services;
• it is necessary to make sure that the size of the coating is suitable for the support, otherwise you will have to look for another type of caps or order them individually from the manufacturer according to their dimensions;
• the symmetry of the corners must be checked, the elements must not be skewed;
• the lower part of the cap is visible for tightness, its defects will lead to the destruction of the column in the future;

• eaves overhangs must be sufficient to protect the support from precipitation;
• products must be carefully considered in order to exclude scratches, chips, dents and other defects;
• violation of the packaging always arouses suspicion;
• the complete set of goods is checked before purchase.

The color and design of the caps are selected according to the style of the fence or the taste of the owner.

Many craftsmen prefer to make their own caps. The materials used for this are very different.

Most often, galvanized metal is chosen for homemade products. They work with a listogib, the shape is leveled with corners, fastenings are made with rivets. At the bottom, a tin strip is fixed to the pattern to create a skirt. The product is painted in a color that matches the fence.

When the roofing work is completed, do not throw away the remnants of soft tiles. It can be used to create overlays for support posts. In the work, in addition to the tiles, corners will be needed, with their help they form a cap that resembles the roof of a building. Such a fence element supports the styling of the house.

You can use cladding or sidewalk material. It is good if the tiles coincide with other building elements of the house or plot, for example, garden paths are paved with it, or the barbecue area is faced. It can match the color of the roof, fence or wicket.

Such coatings are flat and can be easily attached with cement or tile adhesive.

Forms of the desired configuration are prepared from tin or profiled sheets, with the help of which the products will be cast. To make a solution, cement is mixed with sand and plasticizers; for strength, crushed fiber is added. All dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed, then water is added and mixed. The resulting mixture is poured into prepared forms, covered with cellophane and left to dry completely.

The desired shape is made from wood using a saw and jigsaw. A well-sanded product is impregnated with antifungal agents, coated with paint or varnish.

Headrests are made from different materials, so the installation for them will be different.

Installation of concrete and ceramic products:

• the surface of the post is thoroughly cleaned;
• for reliable adhesion, it should be treated with a primer, then with a waterproofing compound;
• apply glue or concrete mortar to the surface;
• install the cap;
• check the correct installation in vertical and horizontal position;
• secure the seam with a waterproofing compound;
• let dry for several days.

Installation of metal hoods:

1. mark the post and drill holes for fasteners;
2. put the lower part of the cap on the glued surface of the support and fix it with a screwdriver (if the design is separate);
3. install the upper part of the headrest on the skirt.

Caps are an important element of load-bearing pillars; without them, the structure seems unfinished, does not have an attractive appearance and is subject to gradual destruction.

For information on how to make caps on brick pillars with your own hands, see the next video.