How to Build Cultured Stone Porch Columns

Dig holes in the locations where your porch columns are going. Ideally, you can seat the columns directly on bedrock, if it's not too far beneath the surface of the ground. At the least, dig the hole below the frost line so frost heaves don't move and crack your columns. Make the holes at least 20 inches wider in both directions than your columns, so you have enough room to work and to pour your footings.

Screw four boards together to create a square frame. Place the frame at the bottom of the hole to act as a form to pour a concrete footing for the column. Make the footings 12 inches wider than the column in width and length, which will leave a 6-inch ledge on each side. This will help to distribute the weight of the column and the porch it will be supporting. Mix some concrete and pour it into the form. Smooth the top by sliding a board back and forth over the surface of the concrete in a sawing motion with the ends of the board supported on the top edge of the form. Allow the footing to dry for several days before proceeding to step 3.

Spread a 1/2-inch-thick layer of mortar over the top surface of the footing. Place cultured stones on the mortar bed and seat them by tapping on them with the handle of your trowel. Measure the exterior dimensions of the stones to be sure they match the planned dimensions of your porch column. Fill in between the stones with mortar.

Continue adding courses of cultured stone to build up the porch column, checking that the column is vertical after each course using a 4-foot level. Add a 1/2 thick layer of mortar on top of each course of stone before adding the next course of stone.

Ensure that the tops of all of your porch columns are level with each other by stretching a string across their tops and hanging a line level on the string.