On 11/1/2013 8:49 AM, Greg Guarino wrote:
The front door of our house has what a little searching tells me are
called "fluted pilasters" on either side. Style-wise, they look very
much like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fypon-90-...9#.UnOt8lP-2Jo
... but mine are made of wood and are 60-odd years old and rotted at the
bottom. I could buy replacements like the one shown, or possibly more
expensive ones I have seen elsewhere. But so far those have been made of
some non-wood substance. So I have a few questions.
Firstly, I assume those non-wood substances don't rot, but I wonder
about their general toughness. When I carry luggage or my music gear
through that door, will I take a bite out of the trim if I hit it?
Go to that Big Box and look at their solid plastic (or whatever) trim
pieces like brick mold, etc. The stuff I bought at Menard's to frame
out replacement windows, doors, etc. is VERY dense and has stood up well
(without painting) for better than 5 years now.
I would "guesstimate" that the plastic stuff I used is tougher than pine.
The item that you show in that URL is RETURNABLE. Order it, and if the
density doesn't see as dense as the in-stock brick mold, return it on
the spot and move on.
I'm sold on the plastic trim pieces. Even put it on the shed as facia
and it's held up great.
Second, the price of some of the pilasters I have seen so far would buy
me a plunge router. Would I be crazy to consider making the pilasters
myself? What's there now is made of several pieces; the "plinths" are
separate. When answering this question, pretend that your experience and
skills are on the "weekend-blunderer" end of the scale.
That you're "expert" enough to know that you need a plunge router to do
the job properly and quickly, tells me you can do the work. Just think
it through and take your time.
And third, should I decide to take this on, should I use pressure
treated lumber, or something else? If PT, will I endanger my health
routing it?
Use a dust mask and preferably do your work outside or in well
ventilated area so you're not working in a cloud of dust.
Alternatively, go back and use the plastic trim - that's what I'd do.