How to make polystyrene columns by yourself?

It is obvious that the construction of old-style columns in your house is a very costly business. However, there is a cheap and relatively quick way to decorate your home with similar decor elements, namely pillars of foam. Perhaps, they will not carry any functional load, but the aesthetic effect of this will not be less. If you make columns of polystyrene with your own hands, you can save additional funds.

Preparation for work

Polyfoam is extremely light in processing and at the same time is quite strong and cheap raw material, from which you can perform almost any decoration both indoors and outside. This is an ideal basis for any decor elements, since the foam itself is extremely light and at the same time able to keep its shape for many years.

So, there are enough ways to make polystyrene columns with your own hands. Photos of architectural elements can be seen in the material presented. Obviously, the execution of such work is a non-trivial task. But with certain efforts, a foam column can be made by hand. The master class on its construction will be considered further.

Here is the 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 cloth;
• Mounting adhesive for tiles;
• paint;
• Polystyrene (the granularity of the foam depends on the size of your columns).

Marking and preparation of foam base

Often, polystyrene columns fit well with the interior of both a private house and a separate apartment. They not only decorate the room, but also visually increase its space.

When performing columns directly on the walls, you must first apply the marking. Mark the appropriate places with a pencil, using the roulette. To avoid distortions during installation, use the level and plumb line.

Then you can start processing the foam. Take into account that its width should be no less than the width of the future column. Measure the sheet of material, draw a line and cut exactly half along its width. It is important to observe the cut along the line, so that you get two absolutely identical halves. Do not forget to adjust the workpiece in height.

Installation and decoration of columns

Mix the mounting glue to a viscous consistency, apply it with a spatula on the inside of the column and immediately press it against the wall in the appropriate place. It will be better if the partner will help to squeeze the column so that it evenly sticks to the surface of the wall. Do this with all the blanks.

If the ceiling height is large enough, then one column is better to perform from several parts. To ensure that the joints of the parts of the foam column are invisible, join them carefully, and glue the edges of the joints with glue.

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 out pieces of appropriate shape from the foam and glue them at the top and at the bottom. Mount the supports in a circle perpendicular to the surface of the column itself.

Alignment and puttying

Now it is necessary to make the appearance of the column attractive. All angles, where the defects are particularly prominent, must be fixed. Damaged corners must be sealed with pieces of the appropriate shape. Use the plaster corner for this. Make sure that there is no dried glue on the front part, as this will make further decoration of the foam column difficult.

Putty put two layers. The first layer goes as the basis, and the second - the final one. Apply a thin mesh on the foam surface and apply a base coat of putty. Do not completely cover the grid. In this way, make up the whole area of the column together with the supports. As soon as the first layer dries, apply a second layer, hiding underneath the grid and all the irregularities. As a result, you should get a smooth white surface.

Wait until the surface dries completely and lightly rub it with a fine emery, eliminating the smallest irregularities. Then remove the dust from the surface with a dry cloth.

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, then the columns should be painted in a light color. If the walls are light, then vice versa. When painting, use the tool only in one direction.

So, the columns are completed. If desired, you can additionally put on their surface powdered silver or golden hue. This will give finished products some refinement.