How to support your Laundry Room Countertop.

Ever wanted to set your folded clothes on a shelf out of the way of the pile of clothes resting on top of your dryer? It gets difficult when you’re pulling wet clothes out of the washer. Looking for a place to set your detergents, bleaches, and stain-removers? You may need a countertop or shelf in your laundry room.

If you decide to take the road to organization your countertop shelving will need support. If it doesn’t have solid supports it will lack stability and strength which can lead to a countertop loosening and falling – dangerous to those around your washer / dryer unit – children, small animals and you personally.

Federal Brace makes shelf brackets that are capable of holding a countertop in a laundry room. I am going to tell you how easy it is to install.

Things You’ll Need:
* Shelf Brackets from Federal Brace
* Stud Finder
* Construction adhesive
* Power Drill
* ¼” Screws
* Power Screwdriver
* A Level
* Pencil

You’re going to have to use a stud finder to find wall-studs along the entire length of the countertop. Mark the wall stud locations with a pencil.

Take the first bracket. Position it against the wall on the first stud mark. Figure out how high you want the shelf to go. Once you have reached your desired height you can make another mark.

Take a ¼” screw and a power screwdriver and place the bracket back where you want it to go. Drill through the bracket holes into the wall with your ¼” screw. Once it is secure you can move on to the second bracket.

Take your second bracket and move to the second stud mark. Move the bracket to the same height as the first bracket and use a level to make sure that the countertop is straight. Once you have a solid position mark where the bracket will go.

Take a ¼” screw and a power screwdriver and place the bracket back where you want it to go. Drill through the bracket holes into the wall with your ¼” screw.

Now you have your two brackets up. Time to put up your shelf. You should put construction adhesive on top of the brackets. Be careful not to put too much material on because it will leak over the edges. After it sets for a few seconds, you should be ready to apply your shelf. After the shelf dries for a bit it should be ready for use.

By the way, the number of shelf brackets is determined on the length of shelf you will be using. If you are using a gusseted shelf bracket (or bracket with a cross brace between the supporting flanges) then Federal Brace suggests using a bracket at no more than 24” spans. Check out our helpful video section covering the subject (CLICK HERE)

Please make sure to check out the shelf brackets at FEDERAL BRACE. Thank you and have a great rest of your week!

VIDEO: How to install Freedom Countertop Brackets for an Invisible Countertop Support

www.federalbrace.com - In this video, Scott Toal and Broc Siefert of Federal Brace take us through the installation of the Freedom Invisible Countertop Support Bracket.

This video walks us through the features that make the Freedom an excellent selection when a countertop with invisible support is desired. Broc and Scott show us how simple and easy it is to properly route out the channels in your support structure and install your invisible countertop support bracket.

For further information on countertop brackets and the invisible Liberty Support Plates, please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

VIDEO: Elevated Glass Bar on a Countertop Mounted Support

www.federalbrace.com - In this video, Scott Toal and Broc Siefert take us through the installation of a Counter Mount Elevated Bar supported with the stylish Perrine countertop support bracket.

Countertop mounted support brackets give the ability to elevate a counter or bar with a bracket directly fastened to the sub-counter. There are some key points to consider when doing a countertop mounted bar application. This video will highlight the countertop mount features.

For further information on countertop brackets and the Perrine support brackets, please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

VIDEO: How to Install the Liberty Countertop Plate for an Invisible Countertop Support

Liberty Installation Video

www.federalbrace.com - In this video, Scott Toal and Broc Siefert of Federal Brace take us through the installation of the Liberty Invisible Countertop Support Plates.

This video walks us through the features that make the Liberty an excellent selection when a countertop with invisible support is desired. Broc and Scott show us how simple and easy it is to properly route out the channels in your support structure and install your invisible countertop support plates.

For further information on countertop brackets and the invisible Liberty Support Plates, please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

How to Stain a MDF Wood Corbel | Federal Brace

(please give it a few seconds to buffer once you've hit play)


Cathy Morgan, General Manager at Federal Brace, shows you how to properly stain an Eva Reinforced Corbel. She shows the beauty and craftsmanship of treating your protective casing that attaches to your metal L-Bracket in an easy two-step process. The finished product shows off the beauty of a wood corbel and the polished support of Federal Brace.

For further information on countertop brackets and MDF Corbels, please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

How to Paint a Bracket Backer™ | Federal Brace

(please give it a few seconds to buffer once you've hit play)


Cathy Morgan, General Manager at Federal Brace, shows you how to properly paint your Bracket Backer™ or backer board. The beauty and craftsmanship of painting your board to match the color of your sheetrock drywall or other fascia. Backer boards and/or Bracket Backers™ are used in applications to protect sheetrock drywall or other impressionable fascia.

For further information on countertop brackets, corbels, and Bracket Backers™, please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

How to Paint Your Steel Bracket | Federal Brace

(please give it a few seconds to buffer once you've hit play)

Cathy Morgan, General Manager at Federal Brace, shows you how to properly paint your steel bracket. You must have a steel bracket treated to prevent against rusting.

For further information on countertop brackets please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

Federal Brace How-To Video 3: Raised half-wall & backer blocks

(please give it a few seconds to buffer once you've hit play)

In this countertop bracket installation video, Federal Brace VP of sales, DJ Toal, and custom home builder,Trip Lipinski, of Louis and Sons take you through the steps to installing a granite countertop onto a raised half-wall with backer blocks.

This is an excellent illustration of a common countertop support application with the important areas to consider when doing a granite countertop extension with support brackets. The Federal Brace countertop support brackets used in this installation are the popular Brunswick Designer Countertop Supports with the curved gusset.

For further information on the brackets please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

How to Provide Excellent Customer Service.

“It all starts with truly wanting to help people.” At Federal Brace we are proud of our excellent customer service. When you contact us, you will not be stuck in the everlasting loop of doom in an automated phone system. We hate those things! You’ll be speaking to a knowledgeable customer service professional whose main goal is to satisfy your needs as a Federal Brace customer.

For example, Victoria, a Federal Brace customer service rep will point you in the right direction for your product needs. While she cannot give you specifics for your project, she can guide you to available resources on our site that will assist you. Victoria will also give you Federal Brace recommendations for installations: place a gusseted bracket every 24 to 30 inches and every 12 to 18 inches for an un-gusseted bracket. “There should not be more than four inches of unsupported overhang” you will likely hear Victoria say.

When you’re ready to order you have the option of placing your order on-line or giving your information to a Federal Brace team member. We view communication with our customer as a key to getting the order right the first go around. When your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email that the order has been placed. Once the order is ready to ship you will receive an email that the brackets are shipping, and you will receive a third email giving the shipping and tracking information. At any point in the process you are able to discuss the progress with Federal Brace.

Reliability is important to any good relationship, and customer service is no exception. We will do our best to get your product out in a timely and efficient manner. If a problem does arise with your order we attempt to learn about it before you do! This helps us keep you updated on the status of your products. So in most instances when a job is delayed Federal Brace will notify you before you have to call us to find out what is going on with your order.

We pride ourselves on listening to our customers needs. When complaints arise we look at how best to alleviate your burden. If there is a way that we can assist in making a bad situation better, we work to make it happen. Our goal is to be helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable, 24/7.

Federal Brace desires to give the customer more than expected, excellent customer service and a great product. Having one without the other is not achieving our goals in the Federal Brace book. Our hope is that once you receive the product and install your supports you will see that you have chosen the best bracket on the market from the best company around.

You will find us always in our continue endeavor of providing Beautifully Crafted, Confident Support. That's support of your counters and of you as a customer! Here's to great service.

How to Elevate Your Kitchen Countertop

An elevated countertop brings a countertop to a new level of majestic appeal. Today, I’m focusing on how to install an elevated design that is considered fine hardware and can enhance the finest of kitchens. Federal Brace cannot make any recommendations on specific applications, because every application is different. But they can give some general information on particular styles of countertops, which I will do in this blog.

The first thing to do before ordering the brackets is to see how many you will need. Federal Brace recommends that you use a bracket at least every 24 to 30 inches on an elevated counter application. You will need to make sure that the bracket you select works with your sub-counter arrangement.

Now that you have your support in hand you will want to set to mounting the bracket using the mounting plate at the base of the support. You can set the height of your elevated counter by moving the mounting position down from the bottom of the sub- countertop. The support’s gusset will extend out and over the sub-counter.

You want to mark where to place your starter holes with a pencil. Make sure that your locations for fastening the bracket to the substructure allow for enough material for the screws to “bite into." Take an electric drill and put an eighth inch drill bit to make the pilot holes for your fasteners. PLEASE NOTE: Make sure that you don't drill all the way through the material the screws will fasten into.

You’re going to change up your drill so you can put in your quarter inch lag screws (or bolts), that will connect through the fascia material and into the stud or substructure. Now that the first lag bolt is connecting the brace to the material and the stud you want to make sure it’s level before you add additional bolts.

Once all the lag bolts are in you can use a ratchet to make sure they are snug. Don’t over tighten them or you may strip out the wood. You want to make sure you use an extension when using the ratchet so you will not scratch the finished surface of the bracket.

With your brackets attached ready to support your elevated counter, you can place your counter on the support plates of the brackets. Make sure that the slab width does not extend over 4” on either side of the plates and that the stone slab is evenly distributed over the full length of the counter. You will want to use an adhesive or chalking to fix the counter to the brackets.

With an elevated counter you will have a real showpiece in your kitchen area that can be used for serving. The spacious appeal and beauty of the elevated granite slab will enhance the look of your kitchen or even office reception area. ~ SK

How to install Freedom Countertop Supports

Many people will purchase Federal Brace countertop supports because they are looking to limit knee knocking under sitting areas. Today, we are going to review how to install a granite countertop to a knee wall such as a breakfast bar installation.

The Freedom Countertop bracket is a ninety-degree piece of steel without a gusset (the piece that connects the bottom and top of the L-bracket). It is a quarter inch thick up to 12 inches and goes up to .375 inch thick 14X14 – 16X16 and up to a 1/2 inch at 18X18 –20X20.

You want to make sure you have the right number of brackets - you want to have a bracketed support every 12 to 18 inches and no more than four inches of over-hang extending beyond the end of the bracket. Every application is different and we cannot be there to advise an application we cannot see, you want to consult an installer, but some general tips when speaking to the installer are…

In most instances, customers using the Freedom style countertop supports are attaching the brackets directly to the studs and covering with wall board material. You will want to attach the Freedom hidden countertop brackets with lag screw fasteners. You will go from flange to flange making sure the brackets are level. You can use a four-foot level to do this. You can put some paneling on the front of the knee wall to hide the down flange of the brackets. You will clean the brackets and put adhesive on the brackets. When you place the countertop you want to make sure they sit evenly and all the weight is being properly dispersed across the brackets. After an appropriate amount of time for them to dry you can slide over some chairs and you’ll be all set to go.

If you’ re looking to put the supports on top of sheet rock dry wall, you are going to need some kind of backing on the wall, like a backer board. When you position the brackets you want to make sure that the supports are carrying the load not the backer board. You would attach the backer board with several rows of nails going into the stud. A quarter inch lag bolt will then go into the backer board when attaching the brackets themselves.

However, if you want to attach the bracket on the studs on a wall that is finished you will need to recess them into the sheetrock and make sure you connect them directly to the stud using lag screws. Once the wall has been repaired, you can apply granite adhesive to the tops of the brackets – this also goes for when using the Bracket Backers™ as well.

You will clean the brackets and put adhesive on the brackets. Be careful not to let the glue drip off the side when you go to place the granite.

I hope these basics lead to a better understanding of the installation on this popular style of bracket. Thank you very much and have a great day. ~ SK

www.federalbrace.com

How to spot the differences between Steel and Stainless Steel

When looking to design your kitchen Federal Brace offers two different grades of steel: Cold Rolled Steel and Stainless Steel. I am going to examine the differences and similarities between Cold Rolled Steel & Stainless Steel.

Similarities first - on a molecular level, which I won’t delve into too deeply, the components that make up the two materials are similar but contained in different proportions. We will discuss the effects of the component makeup later. The two types of steel have the similar deflection characteristics under weight (they carry a very similar amount of weight). This is where the similarities end.

Stainless steel is about forty-percent more expensive than cold rolled steel. The additional costs are due to the special processes required to get the non-corrosive nature of the stainless material and the elegant brushed metal finish. Stainless steel comes in a bright- brushed #4 finish, and that is good when you’ re trying to match to kitchen appliances. The good news is that you don’ t have to paint stainless steel because it won’ t corrode. If you are having trouble telling the differences between steel and stainless, you can use a magnet, because stainless steel has little magnetic attraction.

The cold rolled steel is raw and will rust if not treated properly. For large orders, we can powder coat paint steel, which basically means that we apply an electric charge to the bracket, and then spray on powder paint that adheres to the surface of the metal (I will likely do a wet paint vs. powder coat paint comparison in the future – so check back often). When you purchase the steel you’re purchasing it because of the versatile look it can give you. “ The reason we provide steel is that designers want a color that goes with their décor,” says Sales Manager, Broc Seifert, “ Some of the designers like to give our brackets a clear coating to give it a post-industrial feel. I can see it going well with a concrete countertop where everything is contemporary.”

When you receive your cold rolled steel brackets, machine oil or other surface protection coatings may be applied to the bracket. The brackets are laser cut, and the machine oil is attracted to the metal when they are being made. One benefit of the machine oil is that it will preserve the bracket during shipping. Use hot soapy water to wash off the oil before you finish them for installation. You will need to take care that the brackets are completely dry. Any moisture that remains on the brackets, including in the welds, will cause rust spots. The final step is to put a finishing coat of primer, paint or acrylic on the now clean bracket as soon as possible after washing to prevent rust from forming.

Bottom line is whatever you are looking for you must be careful to treat your brackets properly. If you have stainless steel they require limited maintenance, but cost a little bit more. If you have purchased raw steel brackets you must paint them to prevent corrosion. Be careful not to scratch them during installation.

Thank you for your time. Thanks for joining me at the Federal Brace How To Blog. Have a great day! ~ SK

Follow us at:

www.federalbrace.com