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Durable & Stylish Driveway Columns in Stratford, CT
Get the best of both worlds in Stratford: driveway columns that are both incredibly durable and stylish. Excellence Masonry and Contracting uses top-quality materials and construction techniques to ensure longevity.
Building a set of masonry columns that remain perfectly plumb and crack-free for a lifetime requires a robust internal structure. Each column we build starts with a concrete footing poured below the frost line. From this footing, we construct a core of concrete masonry units (CMUs) reinforced with vertical steel rebar. This reinforced core provides the true strength of the column, which is then clad in your choice of beautiful brick, natural stone, or veneer. This method ensures your stately columns can easily support the weight of heavy custom gates and withstand impacts or shifting soil without compromising their structural integrity.
Why Choose Us?
There are many construction, landscaping, outdoor living, and design companies to choose from- here is what makes us different.
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Our Approach is Thorough and Integrated – As a design-build firm, we eliminate the gap between planning and execution, ensuring every project or service is assessed and delivered with maximum efficiency and zero oversights.
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The Team We Have is Experienced and Robust – Backed by a 25-year family legacy and a crew with up to 50 years of expertise, our team of long-term employees and trusted partners provides a level of craftsmanship that only comes from decades in the field.
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Industry-Leading Warranties and a Client for Life Guarantee – We provide warranties that far exceed state minimums. Our "Client for Life" commitment means we intend to stand by you, and our work, well beyond one project or its warranty. Our goal is to build a relationship, and become a trusted resource for you, year after year. We remain open to address issues, answer questions, assist with maintenance, or repairs, no matter what. Our business is relationship based, not transactional.
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Transparency and Consistent Communication – We keep you in control through complete education and daily updates. From the first call to the final walkthrough, we ensure all costs, options, and timelines are fully transparent.
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Commitment to Professional Responsibility and Top-Quality – We take full ownership of project or service management so you don't have to. Our focus is on delivering the highest feasible standard within your budget, supported by premium partners and a high-performance process.
Our Process
Of course, every project, service and every situation is different, and so is our approach. Below is a general and simplified outline of our process. We can also bid and build to your preexisting plan or design.
1.
Discovery/Consultation
We assess the structural requirements for your entrance, focusing on gate weight and the intended architectural impact. We discuss material options and preliminary considerations for automation or integrated lighting. You’ll receive a rough estimate or a design agreement for these structural anchors.
2.
Design / Planning
We engineer the columns for permanent stability by establishing footing depths (below the 42-inch frost line) and internal steel reinforcement. We value-engineer the gate hardware connections to prevent future sagging and establish the construction plan for utility runs and project pricing.
3.
Construction / Service
Our team executes the build with a focus on vertical alignment and structural mass. We pour reinforced concrete footings and build the masonry courses with total precision. Expect a transparent experience as we manage the site logistics and ensure the gates are hung with perfect clearance and balance.
What materials are best for driveway columns?
Natural stone (like fieldstone or granite) and brick are classic, durable choices that offer a timeless look. We can also construct columns using architectural block with a stone veneer or stucco finish for a wide range of modern and traditional styles.
FAQ's
Do gate columns need a deep footing?
Yes, a deep concrete footing is absolutely critical. The footing must extend below the frost line (42 inches in CT) to prevent the column from heaving or leaning. It also needs to be substantial enough to support the weight of the column and the leverage of an attached gate.
Can you add lighting or wiring to a new column?
Definitely. During construction is the perfect time to add electrical conduit inside the column. This allows for the easy installation of gate operator wiring, intercom systems, or elegant light fixtures on top of or on the face of the pillars.
How do you attach a gate to a masonry column?
Heavy-duty hardware is anchored directly into the column's solid core. For very heavy or automated gates, we often embed steel reinforcement within the column during construction, which the gate hardware can then be welded or bolted to for maximum strength.
How tall should my driveway columns be?
The height and width should be proportional to your driveway, home, and the gate you plan to install. A typical range is 4 to 6 feet in height. We work with you to design a scale and style that perfectly complements your property's entrance.
4.
Walk-Thru, Clean-Up & Maintain
We perform a final alignment check on all hardware and a test of any integrated lighting. We’ll walk you through the maintenance of the stone and the mechanical components of the gate, confirming that the entrance is a permanent, sophisticated addition to your property.
Testimonials
Do gate columns need a deep footing?
Yes, a deep concrete footing is absolutely critical. The footing must extend below the frost line (42 inches in CT) to prevent the column from heaving or leaning. It also needs to be substantial enough to support the weight of the column and the leverage of an attached gate.
How tall should my driveway columns be?
The height and width should be proportional to your driveway, home, and the gate you plan to install. A typical range is 4 to 6 feet in height. We work with you to design a scale and style that perfectly complements your property's entrance.
Can you add lighting or wiring to a new column?
Definitely. During construction is the perfect time to add electrical conduit inside the column. This allows for the easy installation of gate operator wiring, intercom systems, or elegant light fixtures on top of or on the face of the pillars.
How do you attach a gate to a masonry column?
Heavy-duty hardware is anchored directly into the column's solid core. For very heavy or automated gates, we often embed steel reinforcement within the column during construction, which the gate hardware can then be welded or bolted to for maximum strength.
What materials are best for driveway columns?
Natural stone (like fieldstone or granite) and brick are classic, durable choices that offer a timeless look. We can also construct columns using architectural block with a stone veneer or stucco finish for a wide range of modern and traditional styles.