How to Build a Column Footing

Footing is a slang word for foundation. It is typically what holds a structure securely in place. For many centuries, the columns at the entrance of a building served not only as practical necessities, but as works of art as well. The footing of the column offered artists an outlet for their creativity. For most structures today, technology has eliminated the need for most columns. However, architects often still take advantage of them. Take advantage of them yourself in your home, garden, or gazebo.

Required Materials

• wood stock - 2×4” & plywood
• cement - with and without gravel filler
• water
• liquid rubber coating material
• chicken coop wire
• dyes, stains, or paints

Required Tools

• heavy sheet plastic
• trowels
• wheel barrel
• 5 gallon pail
• wire brush
• heavily bristled masonry brush gloves

Instructions

1. Planning design - As this is a decorative column and footing, we do not have to take care that the measurements are of exactly the right dimensions in the way a weight-bearing column would. Before placing the column in the desired location, you will need to mark off an area that is 8” larger than the base of the column itself. You can use any shape that you desire. A square is the most common shape used when building a column footing.
2. Digging - Dig out the area that your footing will occupy. You will need to have a hole in the footing’s shape that is 2” bigger than the base of your column and at least 12” deep. This will help keep the column footing from chipping and cracking through weathering and accidental contact with other items.
3. Framing - Make a panel for each edge of your footing using the 2”x4” boards. Fasten a piece of plywood to the side that covers the frame from outer edge to outer edge. You may have purchased a form or created one yourself. Make your cut-out for the form and fasten it at this time. Make sure that any form you use has a lip that is large enough to safely secure it to the outside of the cut-out.
4. Filling Design Area - If you are using a form, you will have to fasten a board to the outside edge of each side of your panel that is at least 2” wide. This will contain your form cement. Lay the panel with the form installed so that the outside of the form is on the ground. Use scrap wood stock to level the panel. Coat the inside of the form and frame with a liquid quick-drying rubber coating. This will prevent your sculpture from cracking and chipping as you remove the form and framing. Allow the coating to dry. Mix the smooth cement (without gravel filler) and fill your frame form to just below the edge of the panel’s outer walls.
5. Setting Column - Using the cement with the gravel filler, mix and lay 4” of cement into the hole and set your column into it. Allow to set until firm.
6. Setting Forms - Once your form panel has completely dried and you have set your column, fasten the panels together in the desired shape inside the hole you prepared earlier. Be sure not to allow the sculpture to fall away from the form during this step.
7. Filling Form - For a smooth appearance on the outer edges of the column footing, mix both types of the cement in equal amounts. You will need your gravel-filled cement to be just slightly firmer than normal (measure the amount of water required normally but only use 1/2 - 2/3 of it, saving what remains). Place 3-4” of this cement in to the form and hole, keeping it as close to the column as possible. Try to keep an area 3-4” wide open and fill that area with the smooth cement. After using both types of cement in each area, gently pour the remaining water from your gravel mixture over that part of the filling. Place a piece of chicken wire, having been cut to size, around the column on top of this combination layer. Repeat until your form is 3” below the full point of your form. Fill all of the last 3” with the smooth cement. Allow to set.
8. Finishing - After your column footing has firmly set, gently remove the wood stock and the sculpture form. Peal the rubber away from the column footing. Before you do anything more to the footing, you may want to give it just a little more time to harden in the air. Once you are sure that there are no soft areas left, use your wire brush to gently remove any loose material. You can smooth any impure lines from the form by either filling the gaps with the remaining smooth cement or by using a sanding disk. After you have everything just as you want it, brush everything with the firm masonry brush.
9. Added Tips for Design - When mixing the smooth cement, you may wish to add dye, paint, or stain to it to change the footing’s final color. This will make your column fit in better with the color scheme in your home, garden, or gazebo.