Installing Masonry Pillars - Let's Talk Steel Posts

When I receive a call from someone who has had their masonry contractor build stone or stucco pillars and they're telling me that now they're ready to install a driveway gate, it immediately leaves a pit in my stomach. If the pillars do not contain a steel post with hinge connections then we may have some problems. In some cases, the stone or stucco pillars are not made sturdy enough to allow for an iron driveway gate to be attached.  If this is the case, then you most likely will need separate steel posts installed outside the pillars taking away from the idea of why you had the lovely pillars built in the first place . . . and this also adds more to the cost after the fact.  A little investigative work and inquiry in the beginning of a project really helps eliminate any headaches later on.

Before beginning your pillar project, contact your local steel fabricator. Even if you're not sure about installing a driveway or walk gate now have the pillars made so that you can in the future. Talk to your local iron fabricator; explain your situation and what type of pillars you intend to install. Your fabricator can design a steel post with special hinge attachments that can be given to your masonry contractor to install inside the pillars. By doing this, the steel hinge attachments will be present and you can easily have an iron gate attached . . .  and, it can be a bonus when you go to sell your home, the new homeowners will be able to install “their” custom designed iron gate without any hassles.

The sketch below illustrates how the steel post and hinge attachment looks inside the finished pillar.