While brackets and corbels aren't as common on houses built after the 1940s, they can be a great way to add visual interest to your home. A bracket is an architectural feature that projects at an angle from a wall to support what rests above it. It can also be decorative. A corbel is a type of bracket that tends to be pretty wide. Both resemble an upside-down letter "L" or a triangle. Adding them to your home can add a touch of history or introduce modern sophistication.
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."
Corbels are decorative wall bracket types designed to give support to heavy weights. They serve an artistic and functional purpose, and are used in place of shelf brackets when the load to be supported is great. These are distinctive elements that come in varying shapes, designs, and sizes.
From being used in framing windows and doorways to supporting counters and shelves, decorative brackets are the latest obsession among modern homeowners. They can be used for just about anything. Unfortunately, some view brackets as traditional and unattractive.
Artisan home builders and homeowners both have a deep appreciation for fine products. But for all the artisan building products that exist, there are plenty of knockoffs with poor quality and construction. Worthington Millwork delivers on its promise of modern, stylish architecture and durability. Here's why you should consider Worthington Millwork products for your next artisan building project:
Few architectural terms can cause as much confusion as the word corbel. What is a corbel? Is it the same as a bracket? We will get there. The first thing you need to understand about corbels is that they date back to the origins of architecture itself; one could even say corbels put the arch in architecture. Their versatility, value, and function cannot be understated hence why we see different forms of corbels in almost every style of architecture around the world. They can be so associated with the buildings they reinforce that by looking at these corbels we can date buildings and identify their architectural style. Here is a brief look at the crazy world of corbels.
Perusing real estate websites for inspiration to warm up your own modern home is guaranteed to confuse you--houses aren't just ranch, bungalow, or colonial anymore; they're mid-century, or transitional, or any strange architectural combination--modern Mediterranean, anyone?
From contemporary designs with bold, geometric shapes to the tried-and-true simplicity of a Cape Cod, every home can benefit from detailed, professional craftsmanship. If you've ever thought of enhancing your home's curb appeal or adding an elegant aspect to your interior decorating, you might want to consider polyurethane millwork.
Elegant homes, regardless of period or architecture, have one thing in common--custom millwork and mouldings. Great millwork is what takes a basic box of a room and transforms it into anything you want it to be--an traditional English gentleman's study, a Venetian dining room, or a French boudoir.
You're familiar with the standard sorts of millwork--the basic baseboards, quarter rounds, crown molding and the like. But to really bring your home up a notch or two, consider some of the more unconventional options. They'll give your home a huge style boost without a huge investment.
All residential and commercial structures will consist of architectural features that are classified as millwork. Traditionally, millwork products were defined as those components that were woodmill produced, including doors, trim, and crown moldings. Today, architectural millwork products include items made from wood alternatives such as plastic polymers and high-density polyurethane (HDP). Polyurethane (PU) has become a preferred architectural material over plastics and supports green initiatives by reducing our dependence on the country's dwindling timber reserves.
Old houses endure, but not so much the porches that give the home character. If left unpainted, even first-growth millwork will eventually splinter and rot, especially if it's been fancifully scroll-cut. So if your porch is in good shape, count yourself fortunate (and keep a paintbrush handy). For those longing to re-create a period porch, you're in luck: Recent innovations in building materials make it possible to hit all the architectural high notes - often without requiring the kind of skilled construction that's been hard to come by since World War II
Brackets are a decorative architectural element common in Victorian style and historical replication buildings, included where the exterior wall of a building meets the underside of an arch, balcony, or overhanging eaves. Brackets can be made out of wood, metal, stone, or a variety of other building materials, and help to carry weight or strengthen angles.
Brackets can be used indoors or outdoors, and are commonly used under window ledges, shelves, eaves, balconies, window boxes, and more. Most brackets are decorative, but some brackets also have structural functionalities.
It is true, the beauty is in the details. And detailed architectural styling can be achieved by adding decorative brackets or corbels to the exterior or interior of your home. Both of these architectural products are similar in appearance - and the terms are interchangeable. Architects and builders will also refer to these products by the descriptive name 'bracketed cornice'.
Today, installing ornamental brackets are a design technique which will add elegant distinction to a home or building. Traditionally, they were also a part of the building's structural support system - adding cantilevered support to beams, ceiling, shelves, and most commonly the roof overhang. Throughout history corbels have been used for both decorative and functional elements mou nted beneath th e roof eave of structures to reflect a unique architectural styling .
Buying architectural products like molding, columns, railing systems etc. can potentially put a big dent in a projects budget; but it does not have to! Small little changes can add up to big savings in the long run if you stay consistent with them.
Did you know there is a big difference between restoring a house and rehabilitating one? Restoring your home involves faithfully repairing and re-creating a building's original architectural elements so that it closely resembles its appearance at a previous point in time. Rehabilitating your home is more interpretive - it involves making the structure sound and usable again and retaining whatever original features are possible to save, but not necessarily restoring things that have gone missing. For new owners of old houses, deciding which approach to use is the first logical step in helping map out repairs. These basic rules for sensitive historic rehabilitation - based on the secretary of the interior's standards used to enforce the Federal Rehabilitation Incentive Tax Program - office sound advice.
Polyurethane brackets and corbels are both used for the same purpose; that is for decoration. Polyurethane brackets and corbels are not load bearing so they should not be used to hold weight. However they are extremely popular and have many different uses. You can typically use them on any style house or building and they can be painted whatever color you would like!
The Rustic America Collection from Worthington Millwork offers a distinctive architectural elegance which will provide your home with beautiful curb appeal unlike any other in your neighborhood. We offer the finest quality and workmanship in both our Pecky Cypress and Natural Wood Grain.
