Obviously, building old-style columns in your home is quite expensive. However, there is a cheap and relatively quick way to decorate your home with similar decorative elements, namely foam columns. Perhaps they will not bear any functional load, but the aesthetic effect of this will not become less. If you make foam columns yourself, you can save additional money.
Preparation for work
Polyfoam is extremely easy to process and at the same time is quite durable and cheap raw material, from which you can perform almost any decoration both indoors and outdoors. This is an ideal basis for any decor elements, since the foam itself is extremely lightweight and at the same time able to keep its shape for many years.
So, there are enough ways to make foam columns with your own hands. Photos of these architectural elements can be seen in the material presented. Obviously, the implementation of such work is a non-trivial task. But with certain efforts, a self-made foam column can be made. We will consider the master class on its construction further.
Here is a list of tools and materials that you will need in the process:
- roulette;
- pencil;
- plaster grid and corner;
- construction knife;
- putty knife;
- emery (fine-grained);
- brush;
- facade putty ;
- soft rag;
- mounting adhesive for tiles;
- paint;
- polystyrene (the granularity of the polystyrene depends on what size your columns will be).
Marking and preparing the foam base
Often, foam columns fit well into the interior of both a private house and a separate apartment. They not only decorate the room, but also visually increase its space.
When making columns directly on the walls, markings must first be applied. Mark the corresponding places with a pencil, using a tape measure. To avoid distortions during installation, use a level and a plumb line.
Next, you can begin to process the foam. Keep in mind that its width should be no less than the width of the future column. Measure a sheet of material, draw a line and cut exactly half its width. It is important to observe the cut along the line so that you get two exactly the same halves. Do not forget to adjust the workpieces in height.
Installation and decoration of columns
Knead the mounting adhesive to a viscous consistency, apply it with a spatula to the inside of the column and immediately press it against the wall in an appropriate place. It will be better if the partner helps to press the column so that it evenly adheres to the wall surface. Do this with all the blanks.
If the height of the ceilings is large enough, then one column is best made from several parts. To make the joints of the foam column parts invisible, join them carefully, and glue the edges of the joints.
So, the base is ready, you can start decorating. Perform decorative supports at the top and bottom of the columns. They do not play any functional role, but it seems that the column holds the ceiling. Cut the pieces of the corresponding shape from the foam and stick them at the top and at the base. Mount the supports in a circle perpendicular to the surface of the column itself.
Leveling and Puttying
Now it is necessary to make the appearance of the column attractive. All corners where defects are particularly highlighted must be repaired. Damaged corners must be sealed with pieces of appropriate shape. Use the plaster corner for this. Make sure that there is no dried glue on the front part, as this will complicate the further decoration of the foam column.
Putty is applied in two layers. The first layer is the basis, and the second is the final one. Apply a fine mesh to the foam surface and apply a base coat of putty. It is not necessary to completely cover the grid. Trim the entire column area with the supports in this way. As soon as the first layer dries, apply the second, hiding under it a mesh and all the bumps. As a result, you should get a smooth white surface.
Wait until the surface has completely dried and lightly rub it with fine emery, eliminating the smallest irregularities. After that, remove dust from the surface with a dry rag.
Painting
When choosing the color in which the columns will be painted, keep in mind that they should stand out against the background of the walls. If they are made in dark colors, it is better to paint the columns in a light color. If the walls are light, then vice versa. When painting, use the tool only one way.
So, the columns are made. Optionally, silver or golden powder may be applied onto their surface. This will give the finished product some sophistication.