A column base is the element at the bottom of a column, designed to provide a visual transition between the floor and the column's shaft. The base is also a design element, with a vocabulary that matches the column's capital.
The Tuscan base is the simplest. A square plinth at the bottom, with a small cylindrical torus (a convex curve) above it. The Tuscan base is the most restrained classical base, suitable for restrained traditional interiors.
The Doric base is similar to the Tuscan, with a square plinth and a small torus. The Doric base is sometimes omitted in favor of the column sitting directly on the floor (the Doric order is the only classical order that doesn't always have a base).
The Ionic base is more developed. A square plinth, with two tori (convex curves) separated by a small scotia (a concave curve). The Ionic base is more refined than the Tuscan or Doric.
The Corinthian base is similar to the Ionic, with a square plinth, two tori, and a scotia. The Corinthian base is the same as the Ionic base — the difference between the orders is in the capital, not the base.
The Attic base is a generic classical base used with many column designs. A square plinth, with two tori and a scotia, plus a small fillet at the top. The Attic base is the most common base in modern classical compositions, suitable for any column design.
For sourcing, PU column bases are a stock product at most factories that produce classical columns. The factory offers a range of standard base designs (Tuscan, Ionic/Attic, Corinthian) in a range of standard sizes, matched to the column's diameter. Custom designs are available on longer lead times.
A practical install note: the base is installed at the bottom of the column shaft, with the shaft's diameter matched to the base's top. The base is glued to the floor with construction adhesive, and the shaft is glued to the base with construction adhesive. The joint between the base and the floor is filled with paintable caulk, and the painter's topcoat goes on the next day.
A practical note on the height. The base's height is typically 10 to 20% of the column's total height. A 2.4 meter column has a 240 to 480 millimeter base. The base should be proportional to the column and the room — a small base under a tall column looks under-scaled, a large base under a short column looks over-scaled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are PU columns?
A: PU columns are polyurethane molded columns — typically Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian — that replicate carved stone or wood at a fraction of the weight. They ship in two or three halves for assembly around an internal structural post or as a hollow decorative shell.
Q: Are PU columns load-bearing?
A: Standard decorative PU columns are not structural on their own. They are designed as a 2- or 3-piece shell that wraps an internal load-bearing post (steel, wood, or reinforced concrete). For structural applications, specify "structural PU columns" with an internal steel core — these are engineered and tested to published load ratings.
Q: How tall should decorative columns be?
A: For a standard 8 ft (2.4 m) ceiling, use a 96-inch (2.4 m) column shaft plus capital and base, totaling about 100–104 inches overall. For 10 ft (3 m) ceilings, use a 120-inch shaft. Custom heights are available up to 20 ft (6 m) for atrium and lobby installations.
Q: How do you install Column bases?
A: Mount the base plate to the floor with anchor bolts. If structural, set a steel post first; if decorative, mount an internal PVC pipe for rigidity. Assemble the two or three PU column halves around the post, glue the seams with PU adhesive, and clamp for 30 minutes. Mount the capital and base with construction adhesive. Fill and sand the vertical seam, then paint.