Ekena Millwork 6"W x 8'H Premium Square Non-Tapered Recessed Panel PVC Endura-Craft Column Wrap Kit, Mission Capital & Base

Why I chose this column wrap

I recently updated a front porch that still had a 1960s round steel post. Structurally it was fine, aesthetically it wasn’t. I wanted a clean, square, Craftsman-leaning look without rebuilding the porch. That’s where the Ekena column wrap came in. It’s a non-structural, four-piece PVC shell that assembles around an existing post and finishes with a Mission-style capital and base. On paper, it promised easy installation, crisp recessed panels, and low maintenance. In practice, it mostly delivered—with a few caveats worth noting if you’re planning a similar upgrade.

What it is

• Size and fit: The listed size is 6 inches by 8 feet, but the important measurement is the inner clear dimension, which is about 5-5/8 inches square. That makes it a snug fit around a standard 6x6 (actual 5-1/2 inches), leaving a small but workable gap for shimming. It will swallow a 4x4 with more shimming.
• Height: 96 inches. It’s intended to be trimmed to exact height on site.
• Material: Expanded cellular PVC, bright white, smooth, and paint-ready.
• Joinery: An interlocking “E-Z lock” edge that helps pull seams tight during assembly.
• Style: Square, non-tapered shaft with recessed panels; Mission-style capital and base.
• Warranty: Lifetime limited.

Design and build

Expanded cellular PVC is the right choice for exterior wraps. It doesn’t rot, won’t absorb water, and takes paint well. It’s also dimensionally stable enough that seams don’t telegraph wildly with seasonal changes, provided you install and paint correctly. The profiles on this kit are crisp: the recessed panels read cleanly without looking overly fussy, and the Mission base and capital give a modern Craftsman vibe that doesn’t fight with other trim details.

The panels arrive as four identical sides with an interlocking joint. The joint is the standout feature here; it helps with alignment and reduces the need for heavy clamping, especially on the final closure side where you often run out of hands. The base and capital components wrap the assembled shaft and finish off the transitions at the deck and beam.

Build quality on my kit was good overall—surfaces were smooth, edges were sharp, and the joints engaged square. One piece had a small scuff on an edge out of the box, which sanded out in a minute. I’d still recommend inspecting all pieces on arrival and handling the edges with care; PVC is tough but can nick if it catches during layout.

Installation experience

I installed this wrap around a plumbed 6x6 pressure-treated post. Two people make life easier, but I completed the assembly solo with clamps.

Tools and supplies I used:
- Fine-tooth miter or track saw (80T+ blade) for clean cuts
- Tape, square, and a long level
- Exterior-grade PVC adhesive and construction adhesive
- 18-gauge brad nailer with stainless brads (or exterior screws if you prefer)
- PVC-compatible filler and exterior paintable caulk
- Sanding block (180–220 grit)
- Shims and a rubber mallet

My process:
1. Dry fit: I test-fit all four sides around the post and marked orientation. Dry-fitting confirmed that a 6x6 leaves a small, even gap all around, which is exactly what you want for adhesive and shimming.
2. Trim to height: I cut the shaft to about 1/4 inch short of the measured space, accounting for the thickness of the capital and base. A sharp blade and slow feed rate avoided chip-out.
3. Assemble three sides: I glued the interlocking joints and assembled three sides around the post, using a few brads to hold alignment. The lock joint self-squared nicely.
4. Shim and set plumb: I added a couple of thin shims between the structural post and the wrap to keep the reveal consistent and to ensure the shaft was dead plumb on all faces.
5. Close the fourth side: A bead of adhesive, a few taps with the mallet to seat the lock, then brads at the edges. Seams were tight without excessive clamping.
6. Capital and base: These wrapped around the shaft and glued up easily. I attached the base to the deck with construction adhesive and a few hidden fasteners; the capital got adhesive to the beam soffit. Keep the bottom lightly caulked but not sealed airtight so any incidental moisture can escape.

From opening the box to final caulk took me an afternoon, with paint the next day. The interlocking joints genuinely save time compared to simple butt joints, and they do a good job hiding the seam after finishing.

Fit and finish

Out of the gate, the assembled seams were precise enough that a thin bead of paintable caulk essentially disappeared them. After a light sand to knock down any factory sheen at the joints, I primed and painted with 100% acrylic exterior latex. The recessed panels cast a clean shadow line that reads well from the street, and the Mission base and cap look substantial without appearing bulky.

If you’re meticulous, use a PVC-specific filler for nail holes and small dings—it feathers more cleanly than standard wood filler on this material. Also, avoid shooting brads too close to edges; cellular PVC can crush slightly if you overdrive fasteners.

Durability and maintenance

PVC’s big advantages are moisture immunity and low maintenance. There’s no grain to raise, no rot risk, and no need for periodic sealing. Still, paint it. Paint protects against UV yellowing, keeps dirt from bonding to the surface, and ensures a uniform sheen across filler and caulk.

A few notes:
- Paint choice: Stick with high-quality 100% acrylic exterior latex. Light-to-medium colors are safest for heat build-up; if you want a darker color, use a heat-reflective paint formulated for PVC.
- Movement: PVC does expand and contract with temperature. Keep fastener patterns consistent and avoid locking the assembly against immovable points. The E-Z lock joint helps manage micro-movement at seams.
- Cleaning: Mild soap and water is sufficient. Avoid aggressive solvents.

After a summer of sun and storms, mine shows no seam creep and still looks freshly painted.

What could be better

• Edge protection in transit: While my kit arrived in good shape, I can see how sharp edges could pick up nicks if the box is mishandled. Inspect on delivery and store the pieces flat until you’re ready to install.
• Instructions: The included guide is brief. If you haven’t worked with PVC trim before, you may want to review best practices on adhesives, fillers, and paint compatibility beforehand.

Who this suits—and who it doesn’t

• Ideal for: Homeowners and pros upgrading existing posts where the structure is sound but the look is dated. Porches, porticos, and covered entries where a square, recessed-panel style fits the architecture.
• Less ideal for: Posts taller than 8 feet without a beam break; you can’t stretch this kit, and stacking wraps introduces a visible joint. Also, if your structural post is larger than a standard 6x6, this size won’t fit.

Two important constraints:
- This is a wrap, not a structural element. Any railings or loads must attach to the structural post, not the wrap.
- Internal clearance is roughly 5-5/8 inches; measure your post and any brackets before you order.

Value

Compared with building a square column from scratch out of exterior PVC trim, this kit saves time and delivers consistent profiles and tight joints. It’s pricier than a quick sand-and-paint of an existing column, but for a full aesthetic shift with durable, low-maintenance materials, the cost feels justified. The lifetime limited warranty is a confidence booster, and cellular PVC has a proven track record outdoors.

Tips to get the best results

• Dry fit everything and mark your orientation before gluing.
• Use a fine-tooth blade and support the cut to avoid chatter.
• Glue the seams and add discreet mechanical fastening—belt and suspenders.
• Use PVC-specific filler and high-quality paint; caulk seams sparingly for the cleanest lines.
• Leave a tiny path for water to escape at the base; seal the top more than the bottom.

Recommendation

I recommend the Ekena column wrap for anyone looking to modernize a porch with a square, recessed-panel look without rebuilding the structure. The material is right, the interlocking joints speed up installation, and the finished appearance is crisp once painted. Be prepared to inspect on delivery and address minor handling scuffs, and plan your adhesives and paint system like you would for any premium exterior trim. If you can live within the 8-foot height and 5-5/8-inch internal size, this kit is a straightforward, durable upgrade that delivers the look of custom millwork with far less hassle.