Carpentry and Woodworking - Pilasters, sprucing up an entrance, exterior mouldings

I want to add a little class to my entrance by adding pilasters
to each side of the doors and a crosshead over the top.

I've looked at the urethane products like Fypon. The cost
(over $300) was above my threshold. All the wood mouldings
I might use (like fluted casing, etc.) seem to be for interior use.
What is a good material to use for exterior trim products? To
use those materials do you have to get your own shaper and heads
to make what you want? Does anyone have a link to a site (or sites)
with info on this type of project for the DIYer? What about dimensions?
I.e., what's too small and what's too large?

I also would like to add some moulding to dress up the transition from
a porch ceiling to a brick wall. I thought this would be inexpensive,
but now I'm not so sure.

Thanks,
Jim T

Those 'plastic' moldings may be the best way to go in the long run. They won't rot, bow, warp, cup, crack or split and they take paint very well.

To get an idea of what 'looks good' look in architecture and design magazines and drive thru neighborhoods that may have something that catches your eye.

check out demo sales and the classifieds for used building materials

I just skimmed the local classifieds for used building materials like I do every few days and saw ad for colums

we go to demolation sales on a regular basis and I have seen the type of enrty way you describe

also check out used building maerial shops we have two in town one is run by habitat for humainty the other private

lots of builders donate excess stuff to the habit one and I could see the kind of things your looking for there for cheap

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take a look at some
"used" building material locations. The "molded"
pilasters go for $90 each, plus shipping, so I
might be able to save a little.

Thanks again,
Jim