Cultured stone Gate columns footings and concrete cap

[@ogearbox6132]

I was a Cultured Stone rep for over 14 yrs. There are many ways to lay the stone but if you want 30 yr plus longevity you need to put up a scratch coat of mortar and screed it before laying the stone. You made sure to cover the entire back of the stone with mortar which is good. This way water will not lay in any gaps causing stones to pop off from freeze thaw cycles. Lastly I worked with my distributor to create a concrete profiles company to supply caps, lintels, trim stones etc made from concrete. We used wet sand in the molds instead of plastic ensuring a stone type texture instead of the plastic folds which honestly looks crappy for the money the owner shells out. It also ensures you eliminate those holes on the surface which after many freeze thaw cycles will spall and turn the surface ugly prematurely.

[@jeremydobbert1287]

The caps still look good to me!

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Thanks man, I appreciate that

[@Missionmtman]

Your spacing jig you used on a previous job was money. Used your technique on a job and it was perfect. In the future, concrete up a 4” offset before you frame to keep moisture off the framing. Also use a weep screed on the bottom of the framing before the tar paper. You also need a brown coat or scratch coat on the lath before you mason the stone to the column. Your other comments say the moisture hasn’t been a problem so that’s good. Would still recommend those changes and you’ll have columns that last 40 years.

[@tomrobbins6166]

Great video. Thank you.

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Thank you Thank you

[@mljb18]

👍👍looks great as always!

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Thank you thank you

[@greglanghorst4491]

I understand the post being buried below the frost line but did the entire footer for the column need that much concrete as well? For cultured stone columns, I see many masons use 5 in gravel pack and 4 - 5 inches of concrete slab for column.

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

It's not the weight of the stone it's the weight of the gate, depends on the size of the gate. He had future plans of large gates.

[@greglanghorst4491]

@@SolidworksUnlimited That makes complete sense. However, the gate is hanging off the steel columns correct? The cultured stone column is not doing much to support the steel post correct? I am about to do something similar with cultured stone veneer. My steel columns are 5 x 5 steel and will be buried 38 inches in rebar and concrete. I was hoping to save a little on concrete and not do the whole area in concrete. My columns will be 38 x 38 inches. I am in the midwest, do you think, it would be fine to poor a small 5 inch slab for the columns instead of 38 inches for column and post?

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Just as long as you have an anchor of concrete down in the ground a few feet to counter the weight of the gate, then you can pour your 38x38 on top of that as an apron of sorts, but if you only do the 5 inch slab only, it won't hold for very long at all. If it's a small gate like 4 ft you can go smaller, but here's an example of how much leverage a gate can have I have a 5 ft long pry bar and I can pry close to 4000 lbs off the ground with it, imagine your gate putting that kind of pressure on your column. It is a little different because of pivot points, but that might help determining your footing size.

[@jaypurnell2739]

Nice work boys!!!👌👌👌👌

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

👍👍

[@tonytheetiger3750]

Very good stuff thanks for sharing. 👍🏻

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Thank you thank you

[@NJ-hu9lc]

Great work, Awesome! 👌👍

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Thanks!

[@texasexes1207]

What are these boxes with the stones that are ready to go called ?

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Cultured stone

[@Hydrojn]

nice!, I'd just drive around it though.

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Real funny, it's to keep honest people honest, Begs the question lol

[@OUTDOORLIGHT-tb6oo]

Very pretty, but it would be handy if there was a solar light attached to the pole

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Ya it would

[@Jstonneacosta]

a suggestion because it is better to put stucco on the entire column and then install the stone in Florida that is how we work

[@markschultz1606]

What was that? The cap stone must be bigger that the base. Is that right? Edit: @6:11.

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Yes the cap is bigger than the column to give it a drip line outside edripping on the stone below.

[@Ransome2501]

did you pour concrete inside the post to completely fill?

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Yes we did

[@silverqic]

What is the fence like material you put on the board before adding the stone? I have this board and was thinking of making driveway columns but without that layer.

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

It's called lathe, and if you don't put it on and staple it on good your stone will fall off, it won't last a year, probably not 2 months. You also need that vapor barrier, or it will rot the wood, just hire a pro, it will save you money

[@allday2772]

No level?

[@johnsassano8728]

I just did something similar to this… I used an 8 inch I beam just because I had it as scrap, I centered it in the column and came out with mounting brackets flush to column. I framed it all with 1 inch square tube and I used cement board instead of plywood. Do you think cement board will be ok over time? I am not a mason I am a gate fabricator. Thanks!

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

If it stays dry you will be fine

[@dtm6215]

Wouldn’t it be faster and cheaper just to lay some CMU block instead of all that wood and wire and paper ?? We have built columns for years and it’s CMU block then real brick or real stone . I’m sure that fake stuff can stick right to block also ?

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

It was reclaimed lumber, or typically yes it would be

[@dtm6215]

@@SolidworksUnlimited I just found your channel and like how you built your caps . I’m going to do the same . The only thing I’m doing different is lining the edge of the forms with a mold that simulates a chiseled stone edge .

[@evanking6329]

Nice work as usual Mr.... Solidworks... 😉 That’s a pretty heavy duty Gatepost! Guess what, I’ve got a couple of questions for ya... lol 😂. That’s a pretty hefty footing, how deep is your frost depth up in the mountains? Is there a particular reason that you didn’t build the columns with block work? Especially with your block laying skills and the fact that wood is crazy expensive... just curious, no criticism because it seems that blocks would last a lot longer? Anyway, thanks again for sharing the knowledge! Have a good day!

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

I didn't build it out of block because the homeowner wanted it cheap as possible and it was actually cheaper with wood because of used lumber, frost depth is 32 inches, also footing size 😂 not necessarily need to be that big but to factor in labor to form it and bring it up wasn't worth it, besides it's dam tough lol I built those columns 10 years ago that I showed at the end of the video and they are framed just like these ones so they will last a long time even framed I'm not worried that lasting a good long time.

[@evanking6329]

Fair enough, like I said no criticism at all just curious. I understand wanting to save some cash 💰. The columns don’t look cheap in the slightest, great job. 👍👍👍 by the way really liked you jig for holding the steel column in place and setting it square... nice idea , I think I’ll borrow it!

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Absolutely, thanks for the support, I really appreciate it.

[@huntermcauliffe2101]

Like most work done now days, it will Eventually Rot from the inside out, looks good for now though.

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

I built a sign 12 years ago out of plywood, tarpapered it with some 15 lb felt made sure it was sealed good, stoned it and it snows up to 10 feet on it every year and I took some photos of it 2 months ago, and it's still good, very minimal wear, no signs of any rotting or deterioration, if it's done right it will last.

[@stich1960]

The people making forms for countertops seem to like melamine for the edges of forms

[@will1867]

Seems like every one that forgot to record some thing blames it on their computer crashing..... sure it did bro

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

I would came up with a better excuse, but my excuse was written on my computer when it crashed

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Lol

[@will1867]

@@SolidworksUnlimited yup likely excuse but you laugh at your own jokes sooooo...... we can't expect much

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

It's you attitude that makes you what you are

[@will1867]

@@SolidworksUnlimited that's means I'm pretty awesome Bubba.... shit you can ask anyone but, feel like you being too damn salty about the truth

[@PunjabiGhazal]

Poor masonry job, everything else pretty good.

[@cd1168]

Should of never biting that square tubing. Should of tied both with concrete beam. Junk