How to Replace a Wrought Iron Porch Post

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Wrought iron porch posts used to add old-world charm and elegance to your home. These days, however, that look can be quite outdated and undesirable. Additionally, exposure to the elements usually causes the iron to rust and crumble over time. To update and upgrade your home's facade, replace your wrought iron porch posts with a more modern option.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

4-by-4 beam
Wood shim
Level
Screw jack
Reciprocating saw
Metal cutting blade
Hand saw
Circular saw
Galvanized nails

Step1

Choose new posts to replace the old ones. If you like the look of wrought iron, you can have custom posts made in a more modern design. Alternatively, you can use wood beams or pillars to support your porch roof.

Step2

Insert a temporary support post between the porch ceiling and the porch floor a few feet from the post you are removing. Use a screw jack to raise it into proper position, and protect the roof beam by placing a wood shim between it and the support post. This will support the weight of the ceiling as you remove the wrought iron posts.

Step3

Remove the old wrought iron porch post. Most of these posts are secured to the porch using masonry screws, but some may be embedded in the concrete. For those that are embedded in concrete, use a reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade to cut off the supports right up against the concrete.

Step4

Measure the distance between the porch ceiling and the floor.

Step5

Cut off the new porch post to the right length. For hollow porch posts, a handsaw will suffice. Use a circular saw if you are using 4-by-4s to replace your posts.

Step6

Position the new post in the same place as the old post and secure it into place. For hollow columns, a bead of adhesive around the perimeter will seal the post to the floor. 4-by-4s can be nailed into the ceiling and secured with a base plate.

Tips & Warnings

If your old porch posts are in good condition, you may be able to sell them. There is a small market for antique wrought iron porch posts among historical home rehabbers. At the very least, you should be able to sell them for their weight in iron.
Use a level to make sure the temporary support post is plumb before you remove the old posts.
Replace each of your wrought iron porch posts one at a time. You can move your support beam as you move on to the next post.