What is a Wood Bracket? A wood bracket is a structural element which supports furniture and architectural elements such as shelves,
bookcases, plant hangers, mantles and more. Wood brackets are essential for
support of kitchen countertops,
especially if it is a granite counter. Brackets are very similar to wood corbels in function; however,
brackets are generally thinner than corbels, and often decorated with cut away carvings.
Corbels and wood
brackets are both architectural accents but brackets, being narrower, are great for countertop bars and for
supporting wider shelves.
Wide selection of wood brackets available to be incorporated with many different
kitchen styles.
There are a lot of beautiful historical designs carved on the wood brackets.
Most popular bracket's designs feature leaf scrolls, grape motif and acanthus
leaf carvings; wood brackets with these designs work well in
Traditional kitchen. Some of the wood brackets
are carved with oak design. Oak and oak leaf is a symbol of strength and
endurance. Oak is not only a national tree to many countries, but it is also
one of the symbols of Zeus, the god of all gods. In the United States today oak
leaf is used to signify the rank in
the US Army. Representing strength the oak leaf motif is sure to inspire
many and will carry a positive sentiment every time they would look at the wood bracket's design. The classic beauty of the wood brackets
with oak leaf design will also be able to fit
into many different decorating schemes.
Both corbels and wood brackets are support pieces that can carry
weight. The force that holds the wood brackets or corbel in place counteracts the
force that is applied on top of the brackets preventing an overturn when the
weight is applied to the top. Corbels and bracket are architectural elements usually made from wood, stone, or metal that projects
from the wall and overhangs to allow support of various items.
The main difference between a corbel and a brackets is that brackets are thinner
than corbels. Corbels tend to be chunkier where the depth and width are around
the same size. Most wood brackets tend to be much deeper than wide.
For example, the Chicago
Large bracket the depth of the bracket of 7-3/4 inch is more than three times
its width of just 2-1/2 inches. Comparing it to Large
Fluted Mission corbels that
measure 7-1/2 inches in depth and 7 inches in width. Both are great for architectural accents,
and are structurally sound to support counter tops and wide
shelves where greater depth is required. The brackets vary in design from
sleek and understated (Newark wood brackets) to
beautifully elaborate (Monteclair hood brackets or
Marietta wood brackets).
Most often wood brackets used to support shelves or for additional support of the kitchen counter.
To use them as a shelf support you have to select the right size
wood bracket. To do so, you have to make sure that the depth of the wood bracket covers about 70% of the overall
shelf depth, making the shelf more secure. For heavier shelves and countertops, it
is better to select a wood brackets that are 1 or 2 inches smaller than the
depth of the shelf or countertop.
With a wide variety of wood bracket's styles and sizes available,
choosing the right brackets for your kitchen counter can become a confusing task. In reality it is not so
difficult, and
can be narrowed down to three simple steps:
1. Identify the right size of the wood brackets for your specific application.
In general, the depth of wood brackets should be at least 1/2 of the
countertop's overhand depth. For example, if the overhang of your countertop is
12 inches deep to provide adequate support to the counter you should use wood brackets that range from 6 to 9 inches in depth.
When installing wood brackets for a shelf the minimum depth should be at least
2/3 the depth of the shelf. For example if your shelf depth is 12 inches then
chose a wood bracket that is at least 8 inches deep.
2. Determine wood brackets quantity.
It is easy to determine how many wood brackets you need to support your kitchen counter.
For proper support of the countertop you will need wood brackets installed every
three feet apart.
For example, if your granite countertop is 6 to 7 feet long, you
will need 3 wood brackets to provide proper support. In this case, two of the
wood brackets should be placed on each end of the countertop and one wood
bracket should be placed between them.
3. Choose the wood bracket's style.
Wood brackets definitely should compliment your
kitchen design and go well together with the
style of your kitchen cabinets.
Wood brackets carved with grape motives like Tucson
wood brackets
or Santa-Monica wood brackets will add
a Tuscan flavor into the kitchen. If your kitchen is Traditional or Transitional
in design you might like to use bracket with elegant curves and classic lines
like Chicago wood brackets.
If your kitchen
cabinets do not have any embellishments it doesn't mean that wood brackets
for the countertops have to be simple as well. Actually, it is a perfect way to
add an elegant touch of understated sophistication to unembellished kitchen.
Wood brackets with leaf design are very popular and extremely versatile; they
can be incorporated in variety of kitchen styles.
Jacksonville wood brackets with
expressive and graceful scrolled leaf on the sides will add elegance to any
kitchen. The open-side wood brackets like Melbourne brackets
or Washington wood bracket will provide
an adequate support for the countertops and in the same time create a light and
airy feeling.
Wooden brackets carved with lovely spring flowers like
Sanford wood brackets are perfect for
French
provincial style kitchen or
Cottage kitchen.
Carolina wood brackets and
Delray wood brackets will compliment well
Shaker kitchen style,
Arts-and-crafts kitchen
as well as Mission
style kitchen.
There are a lot of ways to integrate wood brackets in to your interior. Brackets can be
used as an independent decorative element which do not actually reinforce any weight. You may place the
wood brackets symmetrically on each side of a countertop or in addition to existing supports for a series of
shelving. Brackets can perform a function, or simply serve to accent existing home decor elements. Wood
brackets range in size from very large to very small, and can add quick aesthetic value to many different home
decor features. Wood brackets can be used on the vertical surfaces of
custom cabinets along with
wood onlays and
wood rosettes. You can also use the
same style of wood brackets in many sizes in the kitchen developing a
comprehensive design idea that can be followed through out the kitchen.
Wood brackets are ideal for additional support of the marble or granite counters and wall application as well as for easy installation underneath
- any type of kitchen countertops
- kitchen island
- bar top
- shelves
- fireplace mantel shelf
