How to Cover a Steel Pole

You can sometimes cover steel poles that are in need of renovation.

Steel poles are often used to support overhead structures such as floors and roofs. It is difficult to attach any type of decorative material to a steel pole. However, you can cover a steel pole by building a box or pillar around it. This is a tried-and-true method that requires little construction experience. With this method, you can cover a steel pole in four to six hours, depending on its size.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-6 lumber
• 4-inch metal screws
• Drill
• 1/4-inch metal drill bit
• 1-by-4 lumber
• Trim nail gun

Instructions

1. Drill holes along the pole, spacing them 24 inches apart. Begin 65 inches from the bottom of the pole, and drill with the 1/4-inch drill bit and drill. Drill the holes on opposite sides of the pole.

2. Cut four 2-by-6 boards to the height of the pole. Place two of the boards next to the drilled holes, one on each side. Transfer the drill hole locations over to the 2-by-6 lumber, and place pencil marks in the center of the lumber at the corresponding hole height.

3. Drill 1/2-inch holes through the lumber at the marked locations. Place the lumber against the pole and insert 4-inch metal screws through the holes and into the pre-drilled steel pole holes. Plumb the lumber with a 4-foot level. Loosen the metal screws and move the lumber to adjust.

4. Rip the remaining two 2-by-6s down to 2 1/2 inches. Attach the rips onto the remaining opening on the steel pole by sliding the lumber between the previously installed pieces to form a box around the pole. Secure the lumber with 3-inch wood screws.

5. Rip 1-by-4 lumber to fit over the 2-by-6 lumber. Miter the edges of the lumber using a circular saw. Place the 1-by-4 lumber against the 2-by-6 framing and attach with a finish nail gun. Place only two nails in the lumber to begin with.

6. Align the lumber after all sections have been attached by adjusting the mitered corners. Complete the attachment by securing the 1-by-4s at the corners with a finish nailer. Fill the corners with wood putty or caulk to seal off any gaps that remain in the mitered corners.

7. Paint the 1-by-4 lumber with primer, allowing 30 minutes drying time between coats. Apply an exterior finish to the primer after the primer has set for two hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a dust mask and safety glasses when cutting lumber or drilling metal.

References

• "A Complete Guide To Basic Woodworking: Skills and Projects Every Woodworker Needs"; Chris Marshall, Philip Schmidt, Editors of Creative Publishing ; 2005
• "Carpentry & Building Construction"; Mark Feirer, Mark D. Feirer, John Louis Feirer ; 2003
• "Exterior Siding, Trim & Finishes"; Fine Homebuilding, Kevin Ireton; 2004