How to Build a Pediment Step-by-Step

The earliest pediments were featured in Hellenistic architecture, but they have not only arisen as part of Greek Revival design but also occasionally show up on buildings in other styles. A pediment is a gable in the shape of a triangle that sits on top of the entrance to a building. Adding one to the front of your home will make your entry a dramatic statement.

Tape measure
2 pillars
Pediment (triangle or half-circle)
Screwdriver or cordless drill
Hand saw
Caulk
Caulk gun
Level
Pencil
Paint
Fine-grit sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the height and width of the area where you want to put the pediment piece. Mark the highest point of the pediment (the peak or top of the arch) with a pencil. Then, put a mark at the top of the door frame, and measure the height.
- 2
  Cut two pillars to the height of the door frame using the hand saw. Err slightly on the side of having the pillars a fraction of an inch too high.
- 3
  Drill holes in the top and bottom of the pillars, right in the middle. Run screws through the holes and secure the pillars to the house. Depending on what material is behind the pillars, you'll be using wood or masonry screws.
- 4
  Set the pediment on the columns. Have a friend standing out at the street to ensure that your pediment is centered. Drill holes in the pediment and run screws through it. If you have a stone pediment and don't want to drill through it, you can use mortar or construction adhesive on the back to hold it in place.
- 5
  Caulk around the seams where the pediment meets the house, and where the columns abut the wall. Also, fill in the screw holes with caulk.

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