Replacing Front Porch Columns- PVC wrap, fiberglass, or wood?

I was just looking at my columns last night and thinking how happy I was that we went with fiberglass. If you’re not worried about staining them, 100% recommend. Super stable and uniform and maintenance free forever.

I went with structural fiberglass. Was pretty easy.

Structural fiberglass with PVC trim. No regerts.

I replaced rotting wood columns with 10" diameter structural fiberglass 30 years ago and they are still great now in full west sun. When shopping I found a lot of misrepresentation. Several brands of columns were light foam with a thin skin that might be fiberglass but looked like vinyl. Others were thin aluminum that dented with a slight bump. The walls of the structural fiberglass were at least 1/2" think and very hard. They were carpenter installed with one helper. He commented on how easy it was to cut to length. Fiberglass capitals and bases hide the cut.

The brand I chose was Spartan made in Wa state if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, that company was absorbed by others years ago.

My only problem had nothing to do with the fiberglass. Sparrows managed to nest and poop in one capitol. Whenever the house is washed, water gets in then leaks out in causing a temporary stain on that particular column.