HOW TO BUILD STONE COLUMN DRIVEWAY LIGHTS |START TO FINISH|

[@peterm.4724]

Wow! Very impressive! One of my columns fell over today. Need to rebuold them. Love this video, excellent work, thank you!

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it! Hopefully you get your column rebuilt soon!

[@DavidColangelo-l9z]

Your video is awesome! I built these per your instructions and they came out perfectly. Made a few modifications as wanted rectangular columns on each side of driveway. Let pads cure two weeks and then stacked two columns of pilaster blocks side by side to create the rectangular footprint. Also, extended sono tube from footer and pad up into the column approx 24" and filled column with concrete once footer and pad had a week to cure. Below I had sono tube 48" deep under the pad. Felt that might tie the column to the footer/pad and provide added stability. Your instructions were fantastic - thank you!

[@primitiveslow-mo8714]

hit that like button as a man that built his entire house in crocs, i like your style. well done sir

[@brewbuilds]

Heck yeah man! I don’t have the confidence to wear crocs, but they are becoming more appealing to me. 😂 Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. 🤘🏻

[@PrincessCutLawnCare]

Your attention to detail is awesome! My squares would be so crooked it’s not even funny. This build would be a perfect compliment to take any lawn to the next level!

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks buddy. I will say you would be happy with my lawn. Kbg/prg mowed at 5/8” with a toro gm 1000 haha.

[@porter88030]

Impressive work, and great instruction.

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you

[@bridesnyc]

I only need 6 of this ( 16” pilaster blocks.)in each side and I will paint them over.. No bricks around.. Awesome!

[@brewbuilds]

Nice.

[@ExposingFamilyCourt]

Impressive! Can you give a little more detail how you ran the electric to the pillars?

[@brewbuilds]

A couple months prior to building the driveway columns I dug in a 180’ish trench to run the pvc conduit. I pulled #12 wire from an existing gfci protected circuit in my house. The single gang box I showed feeding the wire into was the transition point from that inside circuit to my exterior conduit for the columns. I hope that helps. 👍🏻

[@jewcyk8268]

Thanks for posting this! Informative, well edited, and will help me a lot for a project I hope to be tackling soon!

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks for watching, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Let me know if you have any questions along the way, and how they turn out. 🤘🏻

[@chandracox6814]

Your property is stunning. Looks like Colorado, maybe? Dunno but either way, it's stunning. I wish we had that nice looking of a property here in TX. We're surrounded by farmlands which is pretty in its own right but i would rather have yours!!

[@brewbuilds]

I’m in Eastern Washington state. I am pretty lucky to have a nice view, but I will say living on a mountain has its downsides. For instance digging the holes for my light columns was a pain in the butt! 😂

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Great work! Thanks for sharing your experience. 🤝

[@brewbuilds]

@@THESPORTINGCAMP thank you! They were a lot of fun to build. 👊🏻

[@Ryan-mt2uz]

Looks great!

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you Ryan. 🤘🏻

[@SunnyBermuda]

🌞Love the columns!! This would be the perfect accent for my Craftsman style home and lush green Bermuda lawn. 😂 Thanks for sharing!

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks for watching, and I bet they would. I’m a fellow lawn care enthusiast myself, I’ve got a reel mowed Kbg/prg lawn.

[@AndresMendozadesigns]

Hi great work, I had a question so im adding lit address numbers to my columns so before I put the top blue stone I had a question to ask, how can I secure the top so in case that I need to open the top later ill be able to ? the person that is working with me said to use concrete but once is done Im not opening the column ever again before breaking the blue stone. I thought about PL buut not completely sure. thank you in advanced

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. My cap stones were heavy enough so I didn’t even secure them. Not saying that’s right or wrong. I just figured if they got knocked off it was going to be from a serious impact, and at that point I’ll have bigger problems, such as the whole column would be laying on the ground.😂 if yours are like mine just set them on top without permanently securing them. I think I built mine 4years ago and have had zero issues.

[@AndresMendozadesigns]

@@brewbuilds thank you for the fast response, we live on a busy street and is a mailbox column, I now sure if the snow plows going by would knock it down but is about the same size, I’m going to try to secure them without concrete, thanks again

[@brewbuilds]

@@AndresMendozadesigns you bet! One thing I considered doing at the time was, cutting a plywood square the same size as the inside of the pilaster blocks and fastening it to the underside of the capstone with construction adhesive . That would keep it from being pushed off, but still allow it to be pulled off. Chances are if the plow guy is getting that close to the column itself he’s probably going to take out the whole thing regardless😂, and that brings it back to my reasoning for leaving it unsecured.

[@AndresMendozadesigns]

@@brewbuilds that’s is a smart Idea I’m def going to do that, so it will stay there unless something very strong pick it up, the columns are 36 x 36 so it should be heavy enough 🙏

[@716pat]

Sorry if I missed it but how did you run conduit under the black top??I would like to build a light post on each side of the driveway but I already have blacktop

[@brewbuilds]

Good question, and you didn’t miss it I failed to mention that part. When I had my house built I had the contractor install a conduit before paving my driveway, knowing I’d be building these in the future.

[@engineeringexplorations9273]

Where did you get the pillar cap from and how is the light attached to it?

[@brewbuilds]

@@engineeringexplorations9273 I got the cap stones from a local building supply house in my area. The lights have a couple set screws in the base, that when tightened they bite into the pvc that’s stubbed out of the cap stone. The pvc came pre installed in the cap stone.

[@chandracox6814]

Is there an easier way to get lighting to the columns? I'm a total noob so this is way above my pay grade. Maybe I'll just pop some solars in on the ground, aiming them up towards the columns. I guess that wouldn't look too bad, huh? Love this video. Very extensive yet easy to understand.

[@brewbuilds]

There’s always an easier way… extension cords work great… I’m kidding 😜, solar might be your best option, and I think there are some fairly nice options available these days. I actually have one for my address sign and it works great. They probably have a decent option for some that mount on top of the columns as well. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@chaddoyle6911]

Such a cool project. I’d like to try to do 8 ft columns with a gate. I have a question though which is how high can I mortar blocks before I have to wait for drying? Any idea?

[@brewbuilds]

I am by no means a professional, but when I built mine it was fairly warm and the mortar was setting up fast. I don’t think you would having any problem doing the full 8ft. You’ll need to do it in sections so your mortar doesn’t cure before you have a chance to use it. Hope that makes sense.

[@eldandonsmith5372]

Did you ever do this? As done in this video would not hold up to a heavy gate. You would need to go deep with footings and a solid concrete core pillar.

[@brewbuilds]

Agree, I never addressed their gate idea, but the way I constructed mine would not support a gate.👍🏻

[@thomasmilano9870]

Well Done!

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 👊🏻

[@PilotPatriot]

So are they parallel with the road or perpendicular with the driveway? I can't decide which make more sense and looks right for my project. Also did you account for slope when deciding on the hight or just make both the same height?

[@brewbuilds]

They are perpendicular with my driveway. They sit too far back from the road to have made them parallel to it. I made them the same height, looking down my driveway the one to the right was cut down into the ground to get them really close. 👍🏻

[@tonytheetiger3750]

Nice job dude.

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks buddy👍🏻

[@VerzerWorks]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment. I’m glad I could help. 👊🏻

[@RodJetton]

Thanks for this video. It has helped me ALOT ON MINE.. Where did you get the pillar cap with hole in it?

[@brewbuilds]

Awesome, and I’m glad the video helped! I got my caps at a local building supply store called evergreen supply.

[@TheTomar33]

Great job

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 👊🏻

[@carlitosinvegas6015]

Great Video Project came out awesome

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 👍🏻

[@edwardkosciuk4341]

Great job!

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you!

[@ssy12335]

What do you do when one side of the driveway is higher, say for example, a cul de sac on a hill?

[@brewbuilds]

That’s how my driveway is, the one sides elevation is higher, so I had to cut it into the ground a little deeper. It’s not 100% perfect, but it’s not really noticeable if you’re looking at them. I used a string line and a level with a known height to reference off.

[@ssy12335]

@@brewbuilds Thank you so much!

[@brewbuilds]

@@ssy12335 no problem, hopefully that made sense.

[@MarioSolisxD]

Get a string level ste your stakes and find level then base your footing off of that

[@Salvyb7072]

Hi, what caps are those? Thx!

[@brewbuilds]

@@Salvyb7072 man it’s been 3 years since I built these. I got them at a local building supply house in my area. I’ll see if I can track down my paperwork, and comment again. Thanks for watching and commenting. 👊🏻

[@worldpeace8187]

Excellent video!!! Thank you so much for breaking it down and keeping it real.

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you so much, and I’m glad you liked it!🤘🏻

[@laurenermentrout7714]

How did you get the holes for the lights in the caps? Did you cut this or are they sold this way? Thanks!

[@brewbuilds]

I bought mine with the holes already in them.

[@tonemeas6505]

Look great bro

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks man!👍🏻

[@fanzfanzilla]

Thank you for the video. What are the dimensions of your post (Height x Width)? Thanks

[@brewbuilds]

Hey thanks for watching and commenting. So the pilaster blocks I used were 16x16x8” and each column had 5 so they are roughly 16x40” not including the exterior stones, and capstone/fixture. I never measured the stone thickness, but I would imagine they were close to 3” give or take so the would add to the overall width. And likewise with the capstone and fixture I’m unsure of the exact dimensions of either but those of course added to the overall height. 👍🏻

[@deidre8823]

genius!

[@insidechocolatewithjimothy5313]

great job mate

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 👊🏻

[@VictorGarcia-qq4ug]

very nice job !!!!!! awesome...

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 🤘🏻

[@clovertechdev4243]

Great video

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you.

[@mixingreen]

Awesome job! Thank you for sharing.

[@para55a2]

Dear Mr. Brewbuild, I am a new subscriber. Can you please refer me to the type of block you used for the pillar structure. Does it have to be rated to withstand a certain weight load? Additionally, were you required to obtain abuilding or construction permit to erect these projects? thank you in advance for your reply

[@brewbuilds]

Hey thanks for subscribing! They are 16” pilaster blocks. I got them at my local building supply store. I’d check your local building codes for permitting requirements, but I didn’t not get a permit before building mine. I hope that helps. 👍🏻

[@para55a2]

@@brewbuilds thank you! We're they16x16x8?

[@brewbuilds]

Yep 16”x16”x8” no problem, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any other questions.👍🏻 and my email is on the (about) section on my main page if that’s easier for you.

[@para55a2]

@@brewbuilds I Will, thank you from West Virginia!

[@robertcasserly9967]

Who sells the pedestal block?

[@brewbuilds]

I found mine at a local building supply house in my area, called evergreen building supply. I’m sure if you google building supply house in your area there will be a whole bunch.

[@anthonytran9583]

❤❤how much total? Where did you buy the cement block and cap block?

[@brewbuilds]

At the time it was about $1200 in materials give or take. I got all my pilaster blocks, and cap stones from a local building supply house in my area.

[@TheLawngestYard]

Looks awesome!!!

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks dude!

[@JaneDoe-vi5yc]

Really dumb question coming...we need to build one of these. For the fixture: is it a special pillar-top fixture? Or is it just the same kind of fixture that usually goes on a metal pole?????? Thanks. Sorry.

[@brewbuilds]

Not a dumb question at all. This one was actually universal. You could use it for either. Now I can’t speak for other brands. 👍🏻

[@lloydwright8977]

Are those 20x20 x12 cement bricks? Where did you get them.

[@brewbuilds]

They are 16x16x8. I bought them from a local building supply store in my area, it’s called (evergreen building supply)

[@lloydwright8977]

@@brewbuilds Bravo on your build. Thank you for the response. 👍

[@brewbuilds]

@@lloydwright8977 no problem, and thanks for watching. 👊🏻

[@NorthIdahoNomads]

Hmm trying to figure out how we can build these out at our rural acreage 😂. In all seriousness these are really cool and I would love to incorporate something like this eventually. Great video!!

[@brewbuilds]

Oh I’m sure you’ll figure a way out! Thanks a lot for the positive feedback!🤙🏻

[@maynorcordon2463]

The best!

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 👍🏻

[@repmservices3009]

Awesome!!!

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you. 🤘🏻

[@휘센0187]

good!

[@davidhahn5650]

I'm looking to replace an old metal lamp post with something similar/not as tall. My Romex to existing post is buried w/out conduit. Am I better off running maybe the last 5-6 ' up to the post in conduit? Also is there a name for the capping piece? Would halving a large, thick flagstone work similarly? Lastly you didn't appear to mortar the cap to the pillar.

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks for watching. I would definitely run conduit up through your pillars, the tops are called cap stones, I got them at my local building supply house, and yeah I didn’t mortar mine down, they are fairly heavy and I didn’t see a need to mortar them down, they aren’t going anywhere. unless someone smashes into them with a vehicle, but at that point I have bigger problems.😂 you could certainly use flag stone you would just need to drill a hole for your wiring and have a way to secure your light fixture to it. The ones I used are nice because there is a piece of 2” pvc formed into it which also allowed me away to secure my lights. I hope that helps. 👍🏻

[@millyr6832]

Where did you get does caps and stone

[@brewbuilds]

I bought all my supplies at a local building supply house in my are called evergreen building supply.

[@sameerghate]

Great video and instructions. Thank you! I am on the fence with buying the Natural concrete products outdoor decorative column at Home Depot vs. going the way you showed it with concrete blocks and stone veneer. Can you shed some light on how much did the El Dorado whisky river stone set you back and the quantity that was required.

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks for watching. Let me see if I can find the receipt. Shoot me an email at [e-mail] and I can get back to you.👍🏻

[@banvette11]

Would you be able to link the lights and the bulbs used in this video?

[@brewbuilds]

Yeah no problem, give me a few minutes.👍🏻

[@brewbuilds]

I linked the fixtures and the bulbs in my video description. 👍🏻

[@raelee1588]

Awesome, THX !!! :D

[@brewbuilds]

No problem, and thanks for watching. 👊🏻

[@Casmige]

Pretty sure you should’ve water-misted down the cinderblocks before setting them in place as well as prior to applying mortar & sticking the stones.

[@brewbuilds]

I didn’t really show it, but I did mist down my pilaster block prior to placing my stones. It was fairly hot out on those days, and it helps by giving you a little more working time. I didn’t mist the pilaster block before setting them though. It was cooler out on those days. Some may argue one way or another, but I’ve had zero issues.

[@nazulmate0]

What’s the deal with using Sonó Tubes? Why not just run the conduit into the slab?

[@brewbuilds]

The sono tubes are do to how steep my driveway is. If I built these on just a slab I was worried they would start to lean over with time from wet soil and snow melting in the spring. Kind of like an anchor. It’s proven to work very well, but not necessary for everyone.👍🏻

[@nazulmate0]

@@brewbuilds nice makes sense. Better safe than sorry. Thank you for your example.

[@brewbuilds]

@nazulmate0 no problem, it was a good question, and I failed to explain it in the video. Thanks for watching and taking the time to ask your question. I’m sure others will benefit from it!👊🏻

[@PIOJOZATANIKO]

So....I'm new to all this...now I have to find another video that shows or gives me an idea how you ran electric cable from point A to point B... 😢😢

[@brewbuilds]

Haha sorry I didn’t include that. Realistically it’s pretty straightforward I just ran a pvc conduit from a gfci protected circuit at my house. I had rented a trencher a few weeks prior for some sprinkler work I was doing, and used that to trench a 100ft trench for the conduit. 👍🏻

[@STUDENTOFSCRIPTUREMANOFGOD]

When you said I'm gonna be using the Pythagorums theory in the 1st 30 seconds of the video I knew I was over my head🙄🤣🤣

[@brewbuilds]

Haha if I can do it anyone can.😂 hopefully I made it easy to understand

[@STUDENTOFSCRIPTUREMANOFGOD]

@@brewbuilds you did a great job. It's my own Insecurity. I'm building up the courage. Hahaha

[@brettvukovich6220]

Wouldn't you feed your wire prior to installing the caps? You didn't show us the steps required to installing the lights.

[@brewbuilds]

No because there’s conduit that runs up the center. If you ran the wire first you would have to thread it through the hole in the cap while installing it, and that wouldn’t be fun.

[@showmeyourkitties-starring198]

nice job! ever worry about that epic beard getting caught in your saw or drill? lol ;)

[@brewbuilds]

I’m definitely always thinking about it. 😂

[@joaograca4657]

Now need the mailbox to match

[@brewbuilds]

Unfortunately a matching mailbox won’t work, we have a common cluster box that our mail gets delivered to.

[@joaograca4657]

Sweeeeeet

[@brewbuilds]

Thank you! 👊🏻

[@mattd8222]

depends on how you like your mashed potatoes!!!

[@brewbuilds]

Very true, I prefer mine without the mortar.😂

[@dtm6215]

I’ve been a Mason 37 years and seeing all those saw cut edges on that manufactured stone just makes me sick. . I can’t understand why homeowners buy this junk and use it .

[@brewbuilds]

That was the one thing that frustrated me with this project to be honest.

[@justinbranden5275]

Almost look like gas lanterns

[@brewbuilds]

That was the look I was trying to achieve. These lights have been awesome, I’ve used them on a lot of the exterior light around my house.

[@MarioSolisxD]

All that work and you made a fatal flaw you didn't leave regardless sticking out from the footing to connect the pillar to the footing so you essentially have a free standing pillar connected to nothing but the conduit

[@MarioSolisxD]

Also idk if you did or not but you need to fill those with cement bc one drunk driver one accident and those things are flying everywhere

[@brewbuilds]

@@MarioSolisxD 1.) I’m on a gated private road in the middle of no where, drink drivers aren’t a concern. These are probably 15 to 20 feet off the road, up hill, and separated by a drainage ditch. 2.) If a drunk driver were to hit these even doing what you described in your first comment wouldn’t really prevent these from being destroyed, and at that point who cares. There would be enough damage that would require these or it, to be rebuilt. Seems like wasted money and time with no real gain.🤷🏻‍♂️ I mean no disrespect, but the concerns you stated are a little dramatic. These are driveway lights not a doomsday bunker 😂 These are now almost 3 years old and look the same as the day I finished them. Through heavy snow fall, subzero winters and 108 degree summers. I’d say they are just fine. Thanks for your input. 👍🏻

[@MarioSolisxD]

@Brewbuilds the "drunk driving" was an exaggeration to prove a point a hyperbole if you will you've had some serious luck if they haven't shifted at all but if we're being honest you could tip those over by hand if you really wanted to for yourself I'd say tomorrow you should give them a good push to see if they're actually as solid as you believe end of the day I'm looking out for you it's not my house I'm not gonna be the one paying for it when if it falls over

[@brewbuilds]

@@MarioSolisxD I’ll simply agree to disagree.

[@sinnombre5466]

Thumbnail and title made it seem like you were shaping boulders ....boooo!

[@melvis2017]

I don't think you you think about your lunges but if you do have some of them that gonna be OK you crazy👎because safety first remember

[@John-e4p1x]

way to drop your property value...

[@brewbuilds]

😂😂 what?

[@John-e4p1x]

Looks like dilapidated, like the old lady from great expectations overgrown mansion. so much for home value.@@brewbuilds

[@brewbuilds]

@@John-e4p1x you people crack me up 😂 I’ve never seen that so I’ll have to take your word for it.🤷🏻‍♂️ anyways thanks for the engagement, and enjoy your journey on the internet giving out your highly regarded opinions. I’m sure one of these days you’ll be heard. 🤣✌🏻

[@John-e4p1x]

What? Seek therapy. "brew"@@brewbuilds

[@justinbranden5275]

Looks awesome!

[@brewbuilds]

Thanks man! It was a fun project.