Column vs. Stilt — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Column supports vertical structures in buildings and has architectural aesthetics, while stilts elevate buildings above ground or water for protection or space.
Difference Between Column and Stilt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Columns are integral architectural elements that primarily provide vertical support and stability in building structures. They are often designed to bear loads from the ceilings, floors, or roofs they support. On the other hand, stilts are poles, posts, or pillars used to raise the base of a building above the ground or water, primarily to protect against flooding or to utilize space underneath.
Columns can be made from a variety of materials including stone, wood, and concrete, and are often richly decorated, contributing to the aesthetic appeal of buildings. Whereas stilts are typically made from materials like wood or steel and are more functional in nature, focusing less on aesthetics and more on utility.
Architecturally, columns are featured in many classical buildings, serving both structural and decorative purposes. They may be simple or elaborately carved, with styles like Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Stilts, on the other hand, are commonly associated with practical building designs, especially in coastal or flood-prone areas, and their design is usually straightforward and minimalistic.
In terms of historical and cultural significance, columns have played a prominent role since ancient times, symbolizing strength and endurance in structures like Greek temples and Roman aqueducts. Stilts, however, are particularly significant in specific cultural contexts, such as in Southeast Asian or Pacific Islander communities, where they are a traditional solution to environmental challenges.
Columns also contribute to the interior and exterior design of buildings, often becoming defining features of architectural spaces. In contrast, stilts are primarily external features that influence the elevation and accessibility of a structure, with a focus on practicality rather than interior design impact.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Support and aesthetics
Elevation and protection
Material
Stone, wood, concrete
Wood, steel
Architectural Use
Load-bearing, decorative
Functional, minimalistic
Cultural Significance
Symbolic in many cultures
Specific to certain regions
Design Impact
Interior and exterior
Mainly exterior
Compare with Definitions
Column
A vertical block of text in a printed material, like a newspaper.
The editor decided to dedicate three columns to the breaking news.
Stilt
In the arts, stilt-walking as a form of performance art.
Stilt-walking artists were a major attraction at the festival.
Column
In architecture, a tall cylindrical structure intended to decorate or support a building.
The ancient columns at the site were intricately carved.
Stilt
Long-legged, typically wooden supports used to walk above the ground at an elevated height.
Performers at the carnival walked on stilts to entertain the crowd.
Column
A structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below.
The marble column in the courthouse lobby supports the second floor.
Stilt
A method of support for plants in gardening to keep fruit and vines off the ground.
Tomato plants in the garden were supported by stilts to promote healthy growth.
Column
A vertical arrangement of figures or other information in lists or tables.
She added a new column of numbers to the spreadsheet for better analysis.
Stilt
A pole or post used to elevate the structure of a building above the ground.
The beach house was built on stilts to avoid flood damage.
Column
A regular article or feature in a newspaper or magazine.
He writes a weekly column on local history.
Stilt
In zoology, a type of bird known for its long legs, used for wading through water.
We spotted a black-necked stilt wading through the marsh.
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member.
Stilt
Stilt is a common name for several species of birds in the family Recurvirostridae, which also includes those known as avocets. They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates.
Column
A vertical structure usually consisting of a base, a cylindrical shaft, and a capital, used as a support or standing alone as a monument.
Stilt
Either of a pair of upright poles with supports for the feet enabling the user to walk at a distance above the ground.
Column
Any slender vertical support, as of steel or reinforced concrete.
Stilt
A long-billed wading bird with predominantly black and white plumage and very long slender reddish legs.
Column
Something resembling an architectural column in form or function
A column of mercury in a thermometer.
Stilt
Either of a pair of long, slender poles each equipped with a raised footrest to enable the user to walk elevated above the ground.
Column
One of two or more vertical sections of text lying side by side in a document and separated by a rule or a blank space.
Stilt
Any of various tall posts or pillars used as support, as for a dock or building:a beach house on stilts.
Column
An arrangement of numbers in a single vertical line.
Stilt
Any of several shorebirds of the widely distributed genus Himantopus or the Australian genus Cladorhynchus that have long pink legs, usually black-and-white plumage, and a long slender bill.
Column
A feature article that appears regularly in a publication, such as a newspaper.
Stilt
To place or raise on stilts.
Column
A formation, as of troops or vehicles, in which all elements follow one behind the other.
Stilt
Either of two poles with footrests that allow someone to stand or walk above the ground; used mostly by entertainers.
Column
(Botany)A columnlike structure, especially one formed by the union of a stamen and the style in an orchid flower, or one formed by the united staminal filaments in flowers such as those of the hibiscus or mallow.
Stilt
A tall pillar or post used to support some structure; often above water.
Column
(Anatomy)Any of various tubular or pillarlike supporting structures in the body, each generally having a single tissue origin and function
The vertebral column.
Stilt
Any of various wading birds of the genera Himantopus and Cladorhynchus, related to the avocet, that have extremely long legs and long thin bills.
Column
(architecture) A solid upright structure designed usually to support a larger structure above it, such as a roof or horizontal beam, but sometimes for decoration.
Stilt
A crutch.
Column
A vertical line of entries in a table, usually read from top to bottom.
Stilt
The handle of a plough.
Column
A body of troops or army vehicles, usually strung out along a road.
Stilt
To raise on stilts, or as if on stilts
Column
A body of text meant to be read line by line, especially in printed material that has multiple adjacent such on a single page.
It was too hard to read the text across the whole page, so I split it into two columns.
Stilt
To apply unnecessary pomp or formality
Column
A unit of width, especially of advertisements, in a periodical, equivalent to the width of a usual column of text.
Each column inch costs $300 a week; this ad is four columns by three inches, so will run $3600 a week.
Stilt
A pole, or piece of wood, constructed with a step or loop to raise the foot above the ground in walking. It is sometimes lashed to the leg, and sometimes prolonged upward so as to be steadied by the hand or arm.
Ambition is but avarice on stilts, and masked.
Column
(by extension) A recurring feature in a periodical, especially an opinion piece, especially by a single author or small rotating group of authors, or on a single theme.
His initial foray into print media was as the author of a weekly column in his elementary-school newspaper.
Stilt
A crutch; also, the handle of a plow.
Column
Something having similar vertical form or structure to the things mentioned above, such as a spinal column.
Stilt
Any species of limicoline birds belonging to Himantopus and allied genera, in which the legs are remarkably long and slender. Called also longshanks, stiltbird, stilt plover, and lawyer.
Column
(botany) The gynostemium
Stilt
To raise on stilts, or as if on stilts.
Column
(chemistry) An object used to separate the different components of a liquid or to purify chemical compounds.
Stilt
A column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
Column
A kind of pillar; a cylindrical or polygonal support for a roof, ceiling, statue, etc., somewhat ornamented, and usually composed of base, shaft, and capital. See Order.
Stilt
One of two stout poles with foot rests in the middle; used for walking high above the ground;
He was so tall I thought he was on stilts
Column
Anything resembling, in form or position, a column in architecture; an upright body or mass; a shaft or obelisk; as, a column of air, of water, of mercury, etc.; the Column Vendôme; the spinal column.
Stilt
Long-legged three-toed wading bird of brackish marshes of Australia
Column
A body of troops formed in ranks, one behind the other; - contradistinguished from line. Compare Ploy, and Deploy.
Stilt
Long-legged three-toed black-and-white wading bird of inland ponds and marshes or brackish lagoons
Column
A number of ships so arranged as to follow one another in single or double file or in squadrons; - in distinction from "line", where they are side by side.
Column
A perpendicular set of lines, not extending across the page, and separated from other matter by a rule or blank space; as, a column in a newspaper.
Column
A perpendicular line of figures.
Column
The body formed by the union of the stamens in the Mallow family, or of the stamens and pistil in the orchids.
Column
One of a series of articles written in a periodical, usually under the same title and at regular intervals; it may be written and signed by one or more authors, or may appear pseudonymously or anonymously, as an editorial column.
Column
A line of (usually military) units following one after another
Column
A vertical glass tube used in column chromatography; a mixture is poured in the top and washed through a stationary substance where components of the mixture are adsorbed selectively to form colored bands
Column
A linear array of numbers one above another
Column
Anything tall and thin approximating the shape of a column or tower;
The test tube held a column of white powder
A tower of dust rose above the horizon
A thin pillar of smoke betrayed their campsite
Column
An article giving opinions or perspectives
Column
A vertical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (as a monument or a column of air)
Column
(architeture) a tall cylindrical vertical upright and used to support a structure
Common Curiosities
What is the primary function of a column in architecture?
A column primarily functions as a structural support, bearing loads from the structure above.
Can columns be purely decorative?
Yes, columns can be purely decorative, serving no structural purpose but enhancing architectural beauty.
How do stilts protect buildings in coastal areas?
Stilts elevate buildings above potential floodwaters, protecting them from water damage.
What architectural styles feature columns prominently?
Classical, Neoclassical, and some Renaissance architectural styles feature columns prominently.
What materials are commonly used to construct stilts?
Stilts are commonly constructed from durable materials like wood and steel that can withstand environmental elements.
How do columns contribute to the aesthetic of a building?
Columns can be elaborately designed and contribute significantly to the aesthetic and historical value of buildings.
Can columns be found in modern architecture?
Yes, columns are used in modern architecture, often as aesthetic features or as part of structural design elements.
Are stilts found in urban architecture?
Yes, stilts are used in urban architecture, particularly in areas prone to flooding or where space conservation is necessary.
What are the different types of columns?
There are several types including Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, which differ in style and ornamental design.
What types of buildings typically use stilts?
Buildings in flood-prone or coastal areas, as well as those designed for unique aesthetics or functional needs, use stilts.
What are the challenges associated with building on stilts?
Challenges include structural stability, wind resistance, and ensuring secure attachment to the ground.
What is the main advantage of using stilts in construction?
The main advantage is the protection against environmental challenges such as flooding and maximizing space usage.
How do stilts impact the design of a building?
Stilts impact the design by raising the building's base, affecting access and exterior appearance.
Can stilts be decorative as well as functional?
Yes, while primarily functional, stilts can also be designed to add to the aesthetic appeal of a building.
How are columns integrated into the structural integrity of buildings?
Columns are integrated into building designs to transfer compressive loads safely to the foundation.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
