On 11/1/2013 2:42 PM, Greg Guarino wrote:
On 11/1/2013 1:19 PM, dadiOH wrote:
"Greg Guarino" wrote in message

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?

I have no idea about the plastic having never used it but my guess is
that
it would be fine.

But there is (may be) another option. How much is rotted? Do they
bear any
weight or are they purely decorative and attached to the wall?

Purely decorative, attached to the (brick) wall. But yes, some of the
fluted section is rotted. I think replacing it will be easier than any
attempt to repair it.


If you are putting wood directly on brick, put a piece of tar paper
behind it. Brick soaks up water and puts it back in . tar and tyvek, or
even the self adhesive membrane for roof edges would protect the wood
from further detioration. Just cut it to fit hidden behind the molding.

--
Jeff