Columns are a signature craftsman style element, and there are lots of different types that are used in craftsman homes.  If you search Google images for “craftsman columns exterior” you’ll see what I mean.

Most of the time, they are made out of wood.  However, because they are exterior columns, and would likely have mitered corners, we didn’t want the possibility of water intrusion causing problems, and, like with much of our exterior, went with something other than wood; in this case plaster.  The idea is that we will make them as smooth as possible so that you really can’t tell they are plaster.

Here are the back porch columns, just getting wrapped with chicken wire and the corner bead.

Most of the exterior columns are like this.  They will have a crown feature at the top as well.  But our front porch columns are part stone and part plaster.

The columns are one of the last elements of the exterior that is unfinished, so it will complete the look.

Update:  Here is one of the columns with the final color coat on it.  Behind it you can see one of the other columns that still has the rough scratch coat.