How to Build Exterior Columns

Columns make an impressive addition to any yard, whether framing a front gate or lining a garden walkway. While you can construct a pillar out of any number of materials, one of the most durable yet easy-to-use options is brick. Building a brick pillar requires no expertise, yet when filled with a concrete core is strong enough to withstand the elements for years to come.

Shovel
Concrete
Steel rod
Bricks
Mortar
Bricklayer's trowel
Capstone
Dirt and grass seeds

Instructions

- 1
  Dig a 12-inch square hole to a depth of 42 inches for the pillar's foundation. Mix concrete and fill the hole halfway, embedding a steel rod in it for added support. Wait 24 hours for the concrete to solidify.
- 2
  Lay bricks in a square pattern, spreading mortar on the four sides that adjoin other bricks. Scrape off any mortar that seeps between the cracks. Continue adding layers until your column is 2 feet tall, making a hollow square pillar with the steel rod at its center.
- 3
  Fill the pillar with concrete and wait for it to harden. Add another couple feet of brick, fill with concrete and repeat until the pillar reaches the intended height. Coat the upper surface with mortar and place a concrete slab or capstone on top.
- 4
  Fill in the gaps around the foundation with concrete until within a few inches of the surface. Fill the remainder with dirt and plant grass.

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