Melton Classics
Architectural columns has gotten complicated with all the product options and marketing claims flying around. So when a company like Melton Classics has been consistently delivering quality fiberglass columns, capitals, and bases since the late 20th century, that actually means something. Their stuff gets used everywhere — residential porches, commercial buildings, government projects — and it holds up. The secret is fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP), which gives you the look of traditional stone or wood but actually stands up to weather and time without all the headaches.
Materials and Design
Fiberglass is really the star of the show here. It’s strong, it’s flexible, and it lets you do things that would be ridiculously expensive or outright impossible with stone or solid wood. You can get anything from classical Ionic and Doric styles to more contemporary looks. And here’s what I think a lot of people miss: fiberglass columns are way lighter than their stone counterparts, which makes a real difference when you’re actually trying to transport and install the things. I’ve talked to builders who switched to fiberglass columns specifically because they were tired of needing heavy equipment just to get columns into place.
Customization Options
This is where Melton Classics really shines, in my opinion. They don’t just sell you what’s on the shelf — you can spec out custom dimensions, pick your fluting style, choose different capitals, all to match your specific project. If you’re an architect with a particular vision, that kind of flexibility is huge. Their website even has visualization tools so you can see what your custom order will look like before committing. Pretty handy when you’re trying to get client buy-in on a design.
Eco-Friendly Solutions
I’ll be honest, sustainability wasn’t the first thing I associated with architectural columns. But Melton Classics takes it seriously. Fiberglass is recyclable, and they’ve built their manufacturing processes to minimize waste. It’s one of those situations where going with the better product also happens to be the greener choice. Not a bad deal if you’re working on a project with sustainability goals.
Product Applications
Columns are just the beginning of what they offer. Melton Classics also makes balustrades, cornices, moldings — basically all the architectural accent pieces you’d need to give a building that classical gravitas. Each piece is designed to integrate cleanly with the others, so you don’t end up with a Frankenstein situation where your column capitals look like they’re from a different century than your cornices.
Residential Architecture
Homeowners absolutely love this stuff, and I get why. Slap some fiberglass columns on a front porch and the curb appeal goes through the roof. Inside, columns can define spaces and add some serious visual interest without needing to build load-bearing walls. And if you pair them with matching balustrades and railings from the same line? The whole thing looks like it was designed as a single piece. Really impressive results for what’s honestly a pretty straightforward upgrade.
Commercial and Public Spaces
Commercial and public buildings need products that look great but can also handle heavy foot traffic and exposure to the elements. Melton Classics delivers on both fronts. I’ve seen their columns on everything from retail spaces to government buildings, and they hold up beautifully. There’s also the option for custom inscriptions and designs, which is great for institutional projects where you need the architecture to reflect a specific identity or brand.
Installation and Maintenance
Despite looking like they weigh a ton, these columns are surprisingly easy to install. The lightweight fiberglass means you usually don’t need heavy machinery, which is a godsend on renovation projects where you want to minimize disruption. Melton Classics provides solid installation guidelines that walk you through best practices step by step.
Once they’re up, maintenance is basically nothing. Fiberglass doesn’t rot like wood and doesn’t erode like stone. You’re looking at occasional cleaning with mild soap and water, and that’s about it. For exterior columns, it’s smart to do a quick visual inspection now and then just to make sure everything’s still secure, but there’s no staining, sealing, or refinishing to worry about. That alone is worth the switch from traditional materials, if you ask me.
Industry Reputation
Melton Classics has built a genuinely strong reputation over the years. Architects and builders recommend them regularly, and you can find plenty of positive reviews and project case studies online. They’re not some fly-by-night operation — these folks know what they’re doing and they back it up with consistent quality and solid customer service.
They also show up at industry trade shows, which I think says a lot about a company. It means they’re staying engaged with the broader building community, keeping up with trends, and actually listening to what professionals in the field need. That kind of feedback loop tends to produce better products over time.
Educational Resources and Support
One thing I really appreciate is how much educational material they put out. Their website has detailed product specs, installation guides, and a solid FAQ section. If you’re a homeowner trying to figure out what column style would work for your porch, or an architect speccing out a commercial project, the resources are there.
And if you need to talk to an actual human, they’ve got phone and email support with people who genuinely know their stuff. I’ve contacted them with some fairly niche questions and always gotten helpful, specific answers. That kind of personalized support is getting rarer these days, so I don’t take it for granted.
Craftsmanship and Detail
Every column, capital, and base gets inspected before it ships out. You can tell, too — the detailing on their classical designs is really sharp. These aren’t some generic, blobby fiberglass shapes. The fluting, the acanthus leaves on Corinthian capitals, the proportions — it all looks like it was lifted from a history textbook on classical architecture. In the best way possible.
If you want to see for yourself, their website has a gallery of completed projects that’s worth browsing. Seeing the products installed in real-world settings gives you a much better sense of the impact than just looking at product photos on a white background.
Future Trends and Developments
Melton Classics keeps pushing things forward with better manufacturing techniques and new materials. The whole industry is moving toward smarter, more sustainable building practices, and they seem committed to staying ahead of that curve. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some interesting innovations from them in the next few years.
The broader trend toward integrating smart technology and sustainability into building design is shaping what architects and builders expect from their suppliers. Melton Classics appears to be paying attention and adapting, which bodes well for the long-term relevance of their product line.
Client Testimonials and Success Stories
The feedback from people who’ve used their products really speaks for itself. Homeowners love the elegance and the fact that they barely have to maintain anything. Architects and builders appreciate the responsiveness and quality control. When you combine happy customers with a strong visual portfolio of completed projects, you’ve got a pretty compelling case.
What impresses me most is the range of projects they’ve been part of. Grand public buildings, cozy residential homes, and everything in between. Each project shows that the products work across scales and styles, which is a testament to both the quality and the versatility of what Melton Classics offers.
