Brackets and corbels have been key functional elements in architectural design for hundreds of years. A bracket is defined as "an overhanging member that projects from a structure (such as a wall) and is usually designed to support a vertical load or to strengthen an angle," whereas a corbel is "an architectural member that projects from within a wall and supports a weight, especially: one that is stepped upward and outward from a vertical surface."
Even if you're not using them as load-bearing supports, incorporating brackets and corbels as decorative elements for your home can add curb appeal to your property, and make your house more inviting to guests. However, you may wonder how brackets are made, and what materials help them to endure the outside elements. This article will provide a brief overview to answer those questions.
How Brackets are Made
Brackets can be sourced from a wide variety of materials. Many brackets are cut from stone, and sculpted into aesthetically pleasing designs; at times they are even formed into animal or human-like figures. Other bracket manufacturers cut and shape wood into the desired form, and then treat the wood with special chemical agents as a protection against the elements.
At Worthington Millwork, our decorative brackets and corbels are manufactured in high density urethane, also known as HDU. This is actually a form of polyurethane that is specially designed for construction and architectural components that need to endure outside weather conditions for the duration of their lifespan.
HDU materials offer several advantages. For instance:
Polyurethane is harder than plain urethane and thus has many more uses in the realms of architecture and decoration HDU components, such as brackets and corbels, are completely non-toxic to humans and animals, whereas urethane-based products could prove harmful in certain situations Polyurethane products can be manufactured for waterproofing and resistance to inclement weather conditions Polyurethane-based brackets and corbels are lightweight HDU materials are insect-proof Brackets We Offer
At Worthington Millwork, we have an extensive collection of decorative brackets and corbels. Each one comes pre-primed with high quality exterior latex, so that you can finish with the color of your choice.
Our brackets come in several shapes and sizes, from classical style arches to modern contours. Be sure to double check that your preferred bracket style is available in the right size for your application.
There are a number of reasons why you may decide to purchase decorative brackets and/or corbels. For instance:
You may want to embellish the appearance of your semi-enclosed porch and soften the hard, 90-degree angles of the entryway by incorporating a pair of brackets into the design You may decide to enhance the appearance of the eaves alongside your roof's edge by adding a set of decorative corbels In some cases, you may want to support a very lightweight shelf or other platform with a pair of brackets
Whatever your needs and preferences may be, Worthington Millwork's team of milling experts can provide the right brackets and/or corbels to meet the unique requirements of your project. If you'd like to learn more about our process, or the products that we offer, reach out to us today for further information.