Basement Post Cover Install?

[khiz]

Hello,

I have 2 approx. 4" metal post in my basement and I purchased those mdf post covers. They are basically 2 pieces that you just glue together around the post.
My problem is that my post are 4" and the covers are 6"...I get the part of glueing and placing the top/bottom moulding on but how do you secure the post cover from moving all over the place. The guy at homedepot was no help..

I just wanted to see what some of you have done.

Thanks,
Khiz

[alkizmo]

You think the structural strenght of the cover isn't enough to hold on its own if secured to the ceiling and floor?
Okay
What's the extra space you have? Do you have something like 1.5" loose all around the post? Build circular structure of 2x2s around the post so that the cover fits right over it while being flush against the 2x2s.

[Zamboni]

Check manufacturers instructions....I know on some you use foam

[mcplar]

Glue to the floor and ceiling?

[theguyz]

Easiest way is use trim, nail trim to post cover and ceiling and post cover and floor. If cement could use PL premium to glue to floor.

[B Prime]

I know with the one I did for my old house I put the spray foam from a can in it and it expanded securing it nicely to the pole.

[abstract808]

Yep, spray foam worked for us. Just don't over fill the space...

[Techhead]

Another here for Spray Foam.

Did my post covers over 8 years ago and they have not moved.

When I glued them, I also used zip ties to keep them together.

[alkizmo]

Spray foaming would be a bit pricey for nothing.
You'd probably need 5-6 cans of great stuff if not more.

May as well buy blocks of styrofoam, cut a semi-circle groove in the blocks so that two blocks can fit around the post, then trim said blocks to make a tube shape.

[Zamboni]

It takes 1 can Alkizmo for the octaganol mdf post covers, not sure if Great Stuff is suitable also. I personally frame up a pine box (make U on bench and add last peice over pole) and trim that out.

Builder in this area used steel posts that have a square 5" peice at top/bottom that are 1/2" thick. Depending on grade that square steel ridge can be 2 inches above finished basement floors (steel pipe from post into poured cement slab) Anyone running into that should use 6" pine boards (5 1/2) and frame out a box, attach to the square post peices with self drilling screws. 2 sides screwed to post, 2 end peices screwed to sides.

[Techhead]

Spray foaming would be a bit pricey for nothing.
You'd probably need 5-6 cans of great stuff if not more.

May as well buy blocks of styrofoam, cut a semi-circle groove in the blocks so that two blocks can fit around the post, then trim said blocks to make a tube shape.

I drilled one hole at the top and one at the bottom, abuot 1 inch from the ends.
Sprayed the foam in, I did not spray the whole post. No need to, just at the top and bottom.
Fill the hole in after its all dry and paint over.

I really is a waste of just one can.

[khiz]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Very much appreciate it.

What brand of spray foam did you use, is it available at homedepot or was it some construction grade thing?

Thanks again for all your help.
khiz

[PrettyJade]

I drilled one hole at the top and one at the bottom, abuot 1 inch from the ends.
Sprayed the foam in, I did not spray the whole post. No need to, just at the top and bottom.
Fill the hole in after its all dry and paint over.

I really is a waste of just one can.

We just finished our basement and this is what we did as well. If your column comes with a base trim, then drill the hole where the trim would hide it and you won't need to fill and paint it afterwards.

Just do not spray too much or the foam will expand too much and you risk the column coming apart.