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?


Ummmm... Greg - do you really believe that if you whack that trim that is
made out of wood, that you won't damage it? If you don't have the very
evidence of this in your house, then you live a vastly different life than I
do. Hell - I have dings all over the place. Conclusion - show me a piece
of wood that is not going to ding.

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.

Really? I'm kind of surprised at that. HD and Lowes have them at very
reasonable prices - or so I thought. I think you'd probably find you'd
spend more to build them up yourself - only to find that it's all just wood.
It's going to submit to abuse in the very same way that the stuff in the big
box stores do.


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?

Seal regular wood well and it will last for decades. Just look around at
old homes. Will PT endager your life - yes... it will kill you...

--

-Mike-