How to Make Concrete Pillar Caps

A column may look bare without a cap.

A pillar cap is placed on top of a brick pillar as a decorative and useful finish. A column may look bare if there is no cap on it. Some home owners place lights on top of the brick columns and the caps are used to cover the lights. Simple column caps that are shaped like pyramids can be made from wooden molds . More detailed and shapely column caps can be made in foam. These caps give brick columns a finished look.

Things You'll Need

• Sand
• Nonstick Cooking Spray
• Wooden mold (pyramid shape)
• Bag of concrete
• Water
• Landscape adhesive
• Tape

Instructions

Making Concrete Pillar Caps

1. Place a large pile of sand on a table.

2. Cut the plywood into four equal triangle shapes. Carefully tape the four pieces of plywood together so that they make a point at the tip. The end result is an open pyramid.

3. Take the wood mold and press it into the sand on the table. This creates an impression in the sand of an upside down pyramid.

4. Leave the wooden mold in the sand to help keep the mold stable. In a bucket, mix concrete with water to make a peanut butter like paste.

5. Spray non-stick cooking oil in the wooden mold and pour the concrete mix inside.

6. Let the concrete set for three to four days. Take the wood mold out and shake out the concrete cap.

7. Line the brick column with landscape adhesive and then place the concrete cap on top. Let set for 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure the width and length of the brick column outside first. Make your wooden mold accordingly so that concrete cap will fit over the column.

• Be sure to wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area.

References

• Pillar Caps
• Quickrete