| Decorative architectural brackets can be made from | | | | Once the hole is countersunk, pass a long lag bolt with |
| stone, concrete, wood, plastic, foam, composites, and | | | | a 3/8" diameter and a 1 1/2" washer on it through the |
| PVC materials. They were historically used for | | | | hole. Tighten it into the wall so that it grabs a stud or |
| structural supports, however, in modern times they are | | | | use a lag anchor to screw it into concrete, brick, or |
| more often used for decorative purposes. For this | | | | rock. |
| reason, foam is commonly used in the commercial | | | | Foam polyurethane brackets are perhaps most |
| industry as an affordable way to add bracket accents | | | | common in commercial applications where they are |
| to a home. Wood, however, is a popular choice | | | | installed for decorative purposes and in large quantities |
| because of it's ability to provide structure and because | | | | under overhangs. They can drastically improve the |
| it can be left unpainted to provide a distinct look that | | | | look and appeal of the building as well as the overall |
| reminds us of nature. Wood brackets were extremely | | | | experience for the shoppers. For foam brackets, the |
| popular in the craftsman era and they have begun to | | | | use of construction adhesive is usually most |
| make a comeback in modern times as home buyers | | | | appropriate to attach them. Decorative foam brackets |
| are paying more and more attention to architectural | | | | are not at all meant to be structural, however, they |
| detail. PVC brackets are another option that offers the | | | | give the appearance that they are supporting |
| look of painted wood and the longevity of foam. | | | | nonetheless. They are manufactured with molds |
| These restoration brackets can be fabricated as | | | | cheaply and so they are usually less available in |
| custom brackets because they are not made from | | | | custom shapes and sizes. |
| the same molding techniques as foams. | | | | Brackets fabricated from restoration PVC materials, |
| Architectural brackets are commonly seen in | | | | like the name implies, are good for applications that |
| craftsman style homes and have made a comeback | | | | need to last a lifetime, but also need to be custom. This |
| with the advent of new no rot materials that allow | | | | is a great material choice over foam when the |
| these beautiful accents to have lasting power. The | | | | quantity is smaller and more custom. Restoration |
| craftsman style architecture highlighted many simple, | | | | brackets made from PVC, are less structural than |
| yet beautiful details that added a unique touch and | | | | cedar and wood, however, as their name implies they |
| style of architecture to many homes. During the | | | | are used in modern times for restoration purposes and |
| current 2008 housing recession many builders have | | | | to replace wooden brackets that were never meant |
| turned to the use of architectural brackets and other | | | | to last forever. Restoration brackets look identical to |
| architectural details on the outside of homes to boost | | | | wood when painted, but will last virtually forever and |
| curb appeal and attract potential home buyers. Here's | | | | provide more durability and customization than foam. |
| a little bit of information that will help you learn more | | | | PVC, unlike vinyl, has a matted finish to it and is a solid |
| about what type of material is best for your | | | | material that holds paint exceptionally well. These |
| decorative bracket needs. | | | | architectural brackets are installed much the same |
| Cedar wood brackets are most common for small | | | | way as wood brackets. At times, they can be |
| quantities needed in custom sizing and. Finding a local | | | | hollowed out for easier installation with a strip of dead |
| handyman or woodworker to build on site is common. | | | | wood. Since they are non-structural this is usually a |
| The use of a custom millworks company is most | | | | good idea. They are a much more durable option than |
| appropriate for custom needs. There, different | | | | foam when the brackets are installed in low places |
| fabrication techniques can be used in a cost-effective | | | | that are accessible to passing hands. They can also |
| manner to get specialty items duplicated for you. | | | | toe nailed with fasteners or glued with PVC glue onto |
| Cedar wood is easy to work with and these types of | | | | a PVC backing for extra support. |
| decorative brackets can be easily fabricated for most | | | | Stones, marbles, and concretes are most commonly |
| architectural needs. Cedar wood brackets offer the | | | | used in commercial architecture, skyscrapers, and |
| advantage of being able to be left natural, stained, or | | | | other Greek and roman style architectures. They are |
| even painted. When stained, there is no material that | | | | sometimes molded with rebar coming out of the back |
| can be substituted to provide the same raw look. | | | | end when made from concrete. The advantage to this |
| To install wood brackets for structural support, it is | | | | is that for the installation, concrete can be poured over |
| important that the brackets themselves be anchored | | | | the rebar for a strong attachment that allows the |
| to a part of the house that is usually load bearing. The | | | | corbel to stick out of the building and support anything |
| use of lag bolts is common for such a task. To | | | | above it. There are other techniques used as well |
| accomplish this, a large 2" diameter hole is countersunk | | | | depending on the application and structural capacity |
| with a ¾" pilot hole for the lag bolt. This is done | | | | involved with concrete, stone, and marble corbel |
| into the wood bracket at key structural points and a | | | | brackets. |
| matching wood plug is cut out to later hide the lag bolt. | | | | |