Oh, I hate those freaking catepillars (pardon my language). Have you ever tried having the tree sprayed to kill them? That's the only way I could have one of those trees around me. I'm so glad I have cypress growing around me instead of those oaks. I'm not surprised to hear the age of yours. There are many like them all over S.Louisiana and yes, unfortunately, a lot of them perished during Katrina.

I cross posted this on the Remodeling Forum and got a reply there. Here is my reply to that one: Soon after I posted, I drove over to the lumber yard where the guy had a Permacast column leftover from an order. It looked very durable, heavy, and cap and base of the same material. I was impressed with it overall, but one thing I noticed is that the finish was pitted here and there. So you'd have to do some spackling and sanding before painting. Should have asked if this type of quality was the norm or this was a reject and thus ended up in their back warehouse. ha. The company that makes this particular product is HG&B. You can find them online. Sure sounds like less maintenance. With material and labor I wouldn't be surprised if this turned into a $500 project compared to $200 for pine. I need to call my GC and see what he thinks. Thanks for the photos here - the columns do look nice. I notice that the homes in the pics have vinyl siding tho, my house has wooden siding. That is why I'm having to think about this alot. arapaho, check out that HG&B site and then call a lumber yard in your area to see if they can order the product or have experience with it.

What was built is not likely to meet the building code anywhere but you need to ask the local building department what your code says and look at what is on the permit drawings while you are there. For reference, the 2012 IRC says: SECTION R317 PROTECTION OF WOOD AND WOOD BASED PRODUCTS AGAINST DECAY R317.1 Location required. Protection of wood and wood based products from decay shall be provided in the following locations by the use of naturally durable wood or wood that is preservative-treated in accordance with AWPA U1 for the species, product, preservative and end use. Preservatives shall be listed in Section 4 of AWPA U1. 1. Wood joists or the bottom of a wood structural floor when closer than 18 inches (457 mm) or wood girders when closer than 12 inches (305 mm) to the exposed ground in crawl spaces or unexcavated area located within the periphery of the building foundation. 2. All wood framing members that rest on concrete or masonry exterior foundation walls and are less than 8 inches (203 mm) from the exposed ground. 3. Sills and sleepers on a concrete or masonry slab that is in direct contact with the ground unless separated from such slab by an impervious moisture barrier. 4. The ends of wood girders entering exterior masonry or concrete walls having clearances of less than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) on tops, sides and ends. 5. Wood siding, sheathing and wall framing on the exterior of a building having a clearance of less than 6 inches (152 mm) from the ground or less than 2 inches (51 mm) measured vertically from concrete steps, porch slabs, patio slabs, and similar horizontal surfaces exposed to the weather. 6. Wood structural members supporting moisture-permeable floors or roofs that are exposed to the weather, such as concrete or masonry slabs, unless separated from such floors or roofs by an impervious moisture barrier. 7. Wood furring strips or other wood framing members attached directly to the interior of exterior masonry walls or concrete walls below grade except where an approved vapor retarder is applied between the wall and the furring strips or framing members. R317.1.1 Field treatment. Field-cut ends, notches and drilled holes of preservative-treated wood shall be treated in the field in accordance with AWPA M4. R317.1.2 Ground contact. All wood in contact with the ground, embedded in concrete in direct contact with the ground or embedded in concrete exposed to the weather that supports permanent structures intended for human occupancy shall be approved pressure-preservative-treated wood suitable for ground contact use, except untreated wood may be used where entirely below groundwater level or continuously submerged in fresh water. R317.1.3 Geographical areas. In geographical areas where experience has demonstrated a specific need, approved naturally durable or pressure-preservative-treated wood shall be used for those portions of wood members that form the structural supports of buildings, balconies, porches or similar permanent building appurtenances when those members are exposed to the weather without adequate protection from a roof, eave, overhang or other covering that would prevent moisture or water accumulation on the surface or at joints between members. Depending on local experience, such members may include: 1. Horizontal members such as girders, joists and decking. 2. Vertical members such as posts, poles and columns. 3. Both horizontal and vertical members. R317.1.4 Wood columns. Wood columns shall be approved wood of natural decay resistance or approved pressure-preservative-treated wood. Exceptions: 1. Columns exposed to the weather or in basements when supported by concrete piers or metal pedestals projecting 1 inch (25.4 mm) above a concrete floor or 6 inches (152 mm) above exposed earth and the earth is covered by an approved impervious moisture barrier. 2. Columns in enclosed crawl spaces or unexcavated areas located within the periphery of the building when supported by a concrete pier or metal pedestal at a height more than 8 inches (203 mm) from exposed earth and the earth is covered by an impervious moisture barrier.

I believe that your columns may be too big, as your beams appears to be fairly wide. It's normal to hang over, but should overhang as evenly as possible. It really depends on where the column bases sit on the porch floor. The column bases should not hang over the porch floor. Our builder recently padded out our porch ceiling beams to accommodate the 9" square columns/15" caps going up. Columns are not yet installed. Love the idea of bubble wrap stuffed into the tops. We have used screening and boards. May try the bubble wrap on the new house. These are photos of our previous home where we used larger round columns. See how they are hanging over evenly. And see where the corner post also hangs over on all sides. Front Disregard the yellow arrow. That was for something else. And I just realized that this is an old thread, but perhaps these photos will help someone else. 😀