Column covers made to your column sizes
Round and Square Metal Column Covers in New Jersey
We fabricate metal column covers in NJ for entrances, lobbies, canopies and covered walkways. Covers are round or square, made from aluminum composite panels (ACM) or formed aluminum or steel, usually in two pieces that close around the column. Send the column size and height, and a written quote comes back within 24-48 hours. Your installer sets the covers; we do not install.
- Owner's 26+ years in metal
- Delivery or shop pickup
- Free written quotes
What is a metal column cover?
It is a finished metal shell that wraps a structural column. The steel, concrete or wood column carries the load; the cover is cladding that gives it a clean, painted face.
Column covers show up where people walk past a column every day: storefront entries, office lobbies, entrance canopies, covered walkways and drive-throughs. They hide bolts, fireproofing, rough concrete and dents, and they can match the color of the metal wall panels or the storefront frames around them.
Round or square: which shape fits?
Square and rectangular covers follow the shape of most steel and concrete columns and line up with flat facades. Round covers soften an entry or a lobby and read well from every side.
We make both shapes from ACM or formed metal. Square ACM covers are routed and folded on our 24′ x 7′ CNC router table, the same way as our aluminum composite panels. Square covers in formed aluminum or steel are bent on our 10′ CNC folder.
The shape is a design choice, so the architect’s drawings or your photo of a matching cover settle it. If you are unsure, send both options and we can quote each.
How do two-piece column covers work?
Most covers come in two halves that close around the column, often called a clam-shell cover. The installer can fit them without access to the top or bottom of the column, which matters when the column is already in place.
- Vertical joints: the two halves meet at seams, either tight joints or designed reveals. The drawings place them, often on the sides people see least.
- Horizontal joints: tall columns may need sections stacked one on another. The joint heights go on the shop drawing, often lined up with the storefront or wall panel joints.
- Base trim: a band at the floor or sidewalk that covers the bottom edge and takes the knocks from carts, mops and snow shovels.
- Cap trim: a band where the cover meets the ceiling, beam or canopy soffit, so the top edge looks finished.
Your installer fastens the halves to framing, blocking or furring around the column and takes the field dimensions. Field dimensions are the installer’s responsibility.
Which material: ACM, aluminum or steel?
Choose ACM for a flat, monolithic face that matches an ACM facade. Choose formed aluminum or steel for a painted sheet-metal cover that matches trim, coping or wall panels.
| Material | Look | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| ACM | Flat face with crisp folded edges | Lead time 2-8 weeks, depending on color |
| Formed aluminum, .032″ or .040″ | Painted sheet, light weight | Does not rust; suits wet or coastal locations |
| Formed Galvalume steel | Painted sheet, stiffer | Takes bumps well in parking and loading areas |
For ACM covers on larger buildings, the core can be a code question. Our ACM page explains NFPA 285 and fire-rated cores, and the architect’s drawings set the core.
What dimensions should you send for column covers?
Send the column size, the height, the joint and reveal layout, and the base and cap trim, for each column or each group of identical columns. A sketch or a photo with measurements works as well as plans.
- Column size: the diameter for round covers, or width and depth for square ones. Say whether the numbers are the bare column or the finished cover size.
- Height: from the floor or sidewalk to the ceiling, beam or soffit, column by column if the heights vary.
- Quantity: how many columns share the same size and height.
- Reveal and joints: where the vertical seams go, any horizontal joints, and the reveal width if the design shows one.
- Base and cap trim: the height and shape of each band, or a sketch. We bend these as custom trim.
- Material and color: ACM, aluminum or steel, the finish and the color name.
Your installer takes these measurements; we fabricate to them. On architectural and commercial jobs, shop drawings come back for approval where the job calls for them. Our submittals page covers the package.
How long do column covers take, and how do they arrive?
ACM column covers take 2-8 weeks, depending on the color. For formed aluminum or steel covers, the lead time is on your quote.
There is no minimum order, so one column is fine. We deliver within about a 5-hour drive of the shop, across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, and the delivery cost is quoted with the order. You can also pick up at the shop during office hours, Monday–Friday 7 AM–5 PM. Have a lower written quote for the same parts? Send it with your request and we will match or beat it.
Matching canopy soffits and fascias are on our soffit and fascia page, and screens with airflow are on our perforated metal panels page.
Metal column cover questions
Do metal column covers carry any load?
No. A column cover is cladding only. The structural column inside carries the building load, and the cover gives it a finished face.
Can you make covers for round columns?
Yes. We make round and square column covers from ACM or formed aluminum or steel, usually in two halves that close around the column.
What do I need to send for a column cover quote?
The column size, the height, how many columns share those numbers, the joint and reveal layout, the base and cap trim, and the material and color. A sketch or photo with measurements is enough to start.
How long do column covers take?
ACM covers take 2-8 weeks, depending on the color. For formed aluminum or steel covers, the lead time is on your quote, which comes back within 24-48 hours.
Do you install column covers?
No. We are a fabrication shop. We make the covers and trim to your installer’s dimensions or approved drawings, and your installer fastens them around the columns.
Request a quote
Tell us what you need: the product, the metal and finish, and your dimensions or cut list. Attach a photo, sketch or cut list if you have one. We reply with a written quote within 24-48 hours. Delivery within about five hours of our New Brunswick shop, or pickup.
Or text a photo or sketch with dimensions to (732) 236-8750
Prefer to talk now? Call (732) 201-5224, Monday–Friday 7 AM–5 PM. Text us a photo or sketch Fully insured
Column cover orders
Columns to cover at an entrance or lobby?
Send the column sizes and heights, or the plans, and we will quote the covers with their base and cap trim. You get a written quote within 24-48 hours, with delivery or pickup at the shop.