Column types

Columns are one of the oldest and most widely used architectural elements in the construction of buildings and structures. Throughout history, they have evolved in design, size, and materials. Furthermore, they have been adapted to different construction styles and needs. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a wide variety of column types.

It should be noted that these structures can be classified in different ways: according to their use and manufacture in construction, according to the classical architectural orders, according to their shaft, and according to their relationship with other building components. In this article, we will discuss the types of columns according to these classifications and their main characteristics.

How are columns classified in construction?

In construction, various types of columns can be used, depending on the material and the project's purpose. Here are some examples:

Concrete columns: These columns are common in modern construction and are inexpensive to produce and easy to install. They are used in a wide range of applications, from residential buildings to bridges and transportation structures. For more information, you can consult the types of ants that are related to the use of materials in construction.
Steel columns: Steel columns are very strong and are commonly used in multi-story buildings. They are durable and corrosion resistant, and can withstand heavy loads.
Wooden columns: Instead, wooden columns are lightweight and are commonly used in home construction structures and in buildings for decorative purposes. Wood is a renewable and sustainable material.
stone columns: These are common in classical architecture and are used in the construction of public and religious buildings. They are durable, weather and corrosion resistant, but can be expensive to produce and install.
Precast columns: These types of columns are produced in factories and then transported to the construction site. They are quick to install and are commonly used in commercial and office buildings.
Concrete columns: Concrete is a material composed of cement, sand, water, and coarse aggregates such as gravel or crushed stone. Columns of this type are common in modern construction because concrete is an inexpensive and durable material.

It should be noted that the type of column selected will depend on the purpose of the structure, the desired aesthetics, and the available budget.

Types of columns according to the classical architectural orders

The classical architectural orders are a set of rules and principles used in architecture since ancient Greece and Rome. These orders include different types of columns, which can be classified into five main types:

Doric order: It is the oldest of the orders and is characterized by having robust and simple columns without a base, with flat cushion-shaped capitals and simple moldings. Doric columns are used in Greek and Roman architecture, and have been used throughout history in the neoclassical architecture and modern architecture.
ionic order: It is thinner and more elegant than the Doric order, characterized by having a base, scroll-shaped capitals and more elaborate moldings than Doric columns. Ionic columns were widely used in Greek and Roman architecture, and have been used in neoclassical architecture and modern architecture.
Corinthian order: It is the most elaborate and ornamental of these classical orders. It is characterized by having capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and other ornamental elements, as well as moldings and ornaments on the base and shaft of the column. Corinthian columns were used primarily in Roman architecture, and have been used in neoclassical architecture and modern architecture.
Tuscan order: It originated in ancient Rome and is characterized as a simpler version of the Doric order. Tuscan columns have smoother, slender shafts, with simple, undecorated capitals. Although it is considered less ornamental than other orders, the Tuscan order has been used throughout history in Italian architecture and in the Renaissance.
compound order: It is a hybrid order that combines elements of the Ionic order and the Corinthian order. Composite column capitals have scrolls like Ionic capitals, but also have acanthus leaves and other ornamental elements like Corinthian capitals. This order developed in Roman times and was used in late Roman architecture and in the Renacimiento.

Types of columns according to the shaft

Depending on their shaft, columns can be classified into several types. Let's look at some of the most common ones:

Monolithic columns: They are those that are carved from a single block of stone or marble. These columns are very strong and have a very elegant appearance, but they are expensive to manufacture due to the amount of material required.
Segmented columns: They are columns that are built from several pieces of stone or marble assembled together. These columns are easier to fabricate than monolithic ones, and are frequently used in modern architecture.
Fluted or fluted columns: They are those that have vertical grooves carved on their surface. These grooves can be straight or curved and can have different widths. Fluted columns are used in various classical architectural orders, such as the Ionic and Corinthian orders.
Smooth columns: They are those that have a smooth surface without grooves. These columns can be of any shape or size and are used in a wide variety of architectural designs.
Tapered columns: They are those that have a larger diameter at the base and a smaller diameter at the top. These columns are often used in ancient and classical architecture.
Coniform columns: They are columns that have a conical shape, but that also present a widening at half their height. This type of column was used in ancient architecture Greek y Romanian, and can be found on historic buildings and monuments throughout the world.
Grouped columns: They are those that have several shafts, but a common capital and base. These are very typical in the gothic architectural style.
fasciculated columns: They are columns made up of several thin shafts of similar appearance and grouped together as a bundle.
Banded or ringed columns: They are those that have their shafts cut into strips, drums or rings of different diameters.
Twin columns: They are columns that have a double shaft.
Romanesque columns: They are those whose shaft is cylindrical and do not have vertical grooves, as is the case in classical style columns. The shaft of the Romanesque columns is smooth, but it can have geometric, vegetal or roped decoration in more complex cases.
Solomonic columns: They are columns whose shaft is twisted, making a spiral shape. This type of column is very typical in the Baroque architecture.
Torso Columns: They are those that have a shaft decorated with various motifs, generally arranged helically.

Column types in relation to other building components

In relation to other building components, columns can be classified into different types according to their function and location within the structure. Some of the most common column types are as follows:

Structural columns: They are those that are used to support the weight of the building and transmit the loads to the foundations or to other parts of the structure. Structural columns can be made of different materials, such as concrete, steel, wood, among others, and their shape and size depend on the load they must support.
Decorative columns: They are columns that are used for aesthetic and non-structural purposes. These columns can be located at the main entrance of the building, on the façade, inside the building or in any other area that you want to highlight. Decorative columns can have different designs and finishes, such as decorative capitals, fluting, moldings and other ornamental elements.
Support columns: These are used to support specific elements of the building, such as beams, arches, and other structural elements. Support columns are essential in the construction of multi-level structures and buildings with high ceilings. In this context, it is interesting to know the architectural features that influence its design.
Reinforcing columns: They are columns that are used to reinforce existing structures and provide additional support to an existing structure. Reinforcing columns can be made of different materials and can be located both inside and outside the building.
Columns with mechanical function: They are those that are used for other specific purposes, such as the distribution of electrical energy or the conduction of water or gas pipes. These columns can have a specific function in the building and are placed in areas where their mechanical function is required.
Isolated or exempt columns: They are columns that are separated from any vertical element that is part of the building or construction, such as a wall.
Attached columns: They are those that are normally juxtaposed to an element of the building, such as a wall.
Embedded columns: They are columns that appear to be partially embedded in a body of the building.
Delivered or delivered columns: They are those that are attached. But in these cases, its shaft is made up of several pieces embedded in the wall.

I hope that this information about the different types of columns has been useful and interesting for you. We are already experts in classifying columns!