Retro Thursday: 1970s Kitchen

After the 1960s, kitchens began to change a bit. The oven and range became one unit instead of two separate appliances. Instead of tile countertops like before, people used Formica counters in the 1970s. The popular colors of the 1970s were also different from before. Kitchens were shaded in outdoorsy or “earthy” colors like avocado green, burnt orange, or harvest yellow. Appliances were shaded with colors like these as well. Cabinets were wood that was usually stained with a dark brown. It was also popular for cabinets not to have door handles. 

Below is a picture of a 1970s kitchen. As you can see, the cabinets are a dark brown color. The range and stove are one unit. The harvest gold color is being used in this kitchen as well. The kitchen counter is Formica. Everything is matching which was a popular feature in 1970s kitchens.

Here you can see the harvest gold color again. The laminate floor was popular in the 1970s.

Here is an example of an avocado green kitchen. The color extends from the countertops to the oven/range and the hood. Also, the dark brown cabinet color is not only on the cabinets; check out the microwave!

The cabinets are beginning to be a little bit lighter into the late 1970s. Check out the avocado green carpet in this kitchen!

Here is an example of the red copper color used in some 1970s kitchens. This looks like a combination of a 1960s and 1970s kitchen with the brick wall and wood cabinets from the sixties and the harvest gold countertops and wall paper and patterned flooring from the seventies. 

Although the 1970s were a change from previous decades, this is the type of kitchen that a lot of this generation’s parents probably grew up in and remembers. A lot of kitchens today all have so many similarities because everyone wants to have the latest models of everything like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. In the 1970s, people attempted to be unique and original in their kitchens and you don’t see a lot of that today.

Pictures are courtesy of uglyhousephotos.com.

The Cost of Kitchen Renovations

 On average, we've found that kitchen renovation costs between $15,000 and $20,000 when you don't spend on appliances. It can cost up to $45,000 with appliances. With these numbers, on average kitchen remodels cost $27000. The cost of your kitchen remodel can vary according to what region you live in, the materials used, the design you want, your budget, and the quality of appliances you buy.

According to msnbc.msn.com you should plan wisely before renovating your kitchen. They say not to the stove or the sink because it costs more to do plumbing or electrician work and you want to avoid that cost. Also, you should plan your lighting needs ahead of time so it will go along with the electrical work. Most kitchen cabinet stores will plan the layout for your kitchen for free or do measurements for a price and deduct that price if you hire them to do the installation. You can also save on buying lower quality appliances. It all depends on the look you are attempting to attain with your kitchen remodel. You should compare the price of your potential kitchen remodel with the cost of your home and see if it's worth it.

For more information on this topic, please look at the comments on this blog. You can compare your kitchen renovation cost along with the price other people have spent on their kitchen remodel and see if you are spending too much.

If you want to figure out how to budget your kitchen remodel, you can take a look at this site as well. 

Take a LoOk Into 1960s Kitchens!

The 1960s were a time of many changes including the assassination of John and Robert Kennedy, the Vietnam war, the Civil rights movement led by later assassinated Martin Luther King, and the landing of America on the moon by Neil Armstrong. These changes are definitely demonstrated throughout the designs in the American 1960s kitchens. Maybe the kitchens changed so much because people couldn’t control what was happening around them so they decided to focus on what they could control, their kitchen. Or maybe people were just ready for a change. Whatever the case, 1960s kitchens expressed many different styles with lots of bright colors mixed with steel and an outdoorsy look.

Pictures below are from www.retrorenovation.com

This picture shows the bright colors that accentuated the sixties with the yellow and blue. Pay special attention to the backsplash and how the pattern matches the blue countertops. Also notice the wood top and bottom cabinetry which was very popular in the 1960s. 

This picture demonstrates a variety of elements that were popular in 1960s kitchens. First of all, notice the thick laminate countertops with the unique pattern which became popular in the early 1960s. Also, the laminate pattern on the cabinets was a popular decoration in the ‘60s.The steel mixed with laminate was popular in the ‘60s. Small tiling on the floor was a popular item in the ‘60s as well along with the brick walls around the windows.

This picture is a great example of the “outdoorsy” look that 1960s kitchens seemed to accentuate. A lot of 1960s kitchens were all about bringing the outdoors inside which is somewhat popular in today’s kitchens. This kitchen has two different patterns of brick, wooden cabinets, and beige colors. The grill in the kitchen was popular in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.

This picture is from a 1966 kitchen. It is a great example of the laminate patterns that were so popular in the ‘60s. The wood cabinetry is also seen in this kitchen therefore combining the outdoorsy look and laminate look.

We also have a new blog on tumblr. Follow us on http://federalbrace.tumblr.com/.

Most Modern Kitchens

We thought it would be fun if we found websites with the most modern kitchen designs and introduced them to our fans. Some of the modern kitchen designs don’t look much different than kitchens that some of you might have. If you think your kitchen could fit the profile of a modern style kitchen or you have modern pieces or appliances in your kitchen then send us a picture of it and if we agree with you, then we’ll post it on our social media sites!

http://freshome.com/2010/06/11/25-modern-kitchen-designs-that-will-rock-your-cooking-world/

http://www.trendir.com/archives/001791.html

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/top-10-modern-kitchen-design-trends/

http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/kitchen/kitchen-designs-design-ideas/photos-modern-kitchen-design-pictures.htm

http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/kitchen

http://dornob.com/modern-kitchen-design-inspiration-luxurious-layouts/

http://www.servicemagic.com/resources.dg.Kitchens.27.41.html

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: 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 Change Out Your Corbels

At Federal Brace we believe in presenting solutions to problems faced in common countertop support applications. In this blog we will discuss the issues faced when attempting to replace wooden corbels with metal supports. So if you want to change out your wood corbels for decorative steel brackets we’re going to tell you how to do that successfully. Before getting into any corbel change out you will want to take the time to investigate your countertop. Make sure you are removing decorative pieces only. In Load-bearing installations the supporting brackets must be attached to solidly fixed material that is capable of holding the weight of the bracket and countertop. When replacing wooden brackets that are in a load bearing application you will want to remove them individually and replace immediately with the metal countertop supports.

The tools that you will need include a Cordless drill, a pry bar, a flat and heavy scraping blade and a reciprocating saw. First things first, you need to remove all the bolts, nails and/or screws used to fix the decorative corbel to your support structure. Look for small patches of mismatched grain. This will help you identify any wood plugs used in the fascia. Also, examine the inside of the cabinet or back wall for screws and washers. If your corbel happens to be secured to the support structure with fasteners screwed in from the cabinet or backside of the support structure this will make your corbel removing easier.

Once you have removed all metal fasteners and exterior “trim” pieces, you can take a pry bar or scraper and gently pry the corbel away from the support structure surface. Use the scraper to loosen any glued areas. In some cases you might have to use a saw for hard to remove corbels. Wood corbels have Keyholes that slide over bolts that are attached to the support structure. In instances where the countertop will not be removed but you want to replace the corbel a saw is likely needed to cut the bolts. You apply layers of painter’s tape on both sides of the corbel in order to protect the fascia next to the corbel. Once you have covered the area around the corbel you will need to get a saw blade behind it. Use a reciprocal blade to cut any nails or screws, but not the wood. If you only have a hacksaw blade, you can get the blade under the corbel and manually cut the screws. Be careful to not harm the fascia on the load bearing structure.

Once the wood corbel is removed the hard part is over. To install your Federal Brace countertop support brackets you can simply place your brackets in the desired location making sure they are snug against the under counter and over a supporting stud in the support structure. Mark your hole locations and drill a pilot hole for fastening the bracket to the structure. Make sure that your pilot hole is not larger than the fastener used (generally ¼”). You will want to space corbels every 12 to 18 inches if it is a un-gusseted bracket, and every 24 to 30 inches for a Federal Brace gusseted bracket. That is what Federal Brace recommends, which is dependent on not only the gusset but also the load weight of the countertop. The great thing about Federal Brace brackets compared to wood corbels is that you are able to remove the brackets very easily. Putting them on is easy and taking them off is just as easy. Also, there is the stainless steel and steel look of the brackets and the weight carrying nature of these brackets to consider.

If your particular application will require significant weight carrying capacity or there are special features in your countertop application we suggest consultation with a design engineer on site. Always make sure that the support structure of any countertop overhang is substantial and can support the weight of the counter being supported. For more information about the Federal Brace brackets please contact them at sales@FederalBrace.com or call them at 877-353-8899.

How to Stain a MDF Wood Corbel | Federal Brace

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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

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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 choose your Shelf Bracket. Box-Store Brackets V.S. Federal Brace

When compared to shelf support brackets found at your local hardware store or from your large national box store the advantages of using Federal Brace shelf ­ brackets are obvious. Before even inspecting the details of the comparison brackets you will notice the difference in weight. You see, the Federal Brace shelf support bracket is made out of 12-gauge material thickness. Our brackets are also 1.5 half inch wide compared to the thinner box store type supports.

We provide the stainless steel option as well as the raw steel option. We figure you want and deserve options. ­When you look a little closer at the two comparison brackets you will see that our countertop brackets are free of dings and nicks. The care of craftsmanship is apparent on the finish of our brackets. Go a little deeper and you see that we have carefully designed our countertop support brackets so that there are no weldments on the face of the bracket. Plug welding is done on the reverse side to give a clean and sleek look.

Check out the way you receive your countertop supports as well. Federal Brace brackets will come to your doorstep, individually hand packed in boxes designed to secure the parts in shipping. The final comparison will come once the countertop support brackets are installed. You won ‘t need an engineering degree to know that the Federal Brace support bracket is providing a more secure support of your shelving unit.

Check out some of our Shelf Brackets:
Arrowood Shelf Brackets
Bel Adora Shelf Brackets
Brunswick Shelf Brackets
Forma Shelf Brackets
Inspiration Shelf Brackets
Orion Shelf Brackets
Streamline Shelf Brackets

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

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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 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 choose a Bracket. There is no comparison: Box-Store Brackets V.S. Federal Brace

This one is for the customers that are thinking of buying the local hardware store or large box company support brackets, so I’m posting this on both blog sites at Federal Brace. Before you buy consider this comparison:

First of all, when you are picking between the two types of different brackets you’ll notice a considerable weight difference. The Federal Brace countertop support is made out of one-quarter inch steel, and the standard box bracket is made out of a material not even as half as thick. The Federal Brace countertop mount is a wider dimension than the local hardware corbel. The material size and dimensional difference between the Federal Brace and the box store bracket means that Federal Brace has a stronger bracket that will hold up your shelves and countertops better.

Federal Brace gives you a choice and a benefit in the brushed nickel finish that matches common stainless kitchen countertop appliances. They provide the stainless steel option, knowing that some customers are willing to pay for a certain type of look.

You will notice that the Federal Brace bracket has less dings in it than the store bought corbel, because of the care involved in the finish of the brackets. Also, the box store bracket may have the evidence of a long trip – being loaded and offloaded from cargo ships from foreign lands. Federal Brace brackets will come to your doorstep, individually packaged in boxes that are designed to secure your product during shipping. You can go pick out your box store bracket from a bin that looks like the old game “A Barrel of Monkeys.”

You dig a little deeper and you see that Federal Brace has carefully designed countertop brackets with no weld elements on the face of the bracket. The bracket is constructed with plug welding which gives a flawless finish on the face of the bracket. Not only are these super-strong brackets, but also they enhance the look of the countertop they are supporting.

Some may point out that the price comparison needs to be made. That’s fine with us. Our brackets are priced higher than the box store brackets – for the exact reasons listed above. As the old adage goes “you get what you pay for.” In this instance, you get a better looking, better made, stronger and safer support bracket for the investment you didn’t skimp on – your countertops. Go with Federal Brace countertop supports when your countertops matter. ~ www.federalbrace.com

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

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www.federalbrace.com

How to spot the differences between Lumber and Bracket Backers™

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 – CHARLOTTE, NC – Today I am comparing Federal Brace's Bracket Backer versus everyday soft lumber from a local hardware store or chain store. A Bracket Backer is not a new invention. People have been using backer boards since they started putting anything of significant weight on shelves. Here's the deal, when people are dealing with material such as sheet rock with an elevated bar application or a knee wall bar, the soft wall material cannot have a metal bracket attached to it, even if it is connecting to the stud. The problem is that the weight being carried by the bracket, which is the weight of the granite, can push into the sheetrock. This pushing down on the bottom flange can result in an impression in the sheetrock. The sheetrock can be crushed and destroyed.

To prevent flexing or crushing, Federal Brace understands the need to have some kind of barrier between the sheet rock and the weight pushing down. So we are introducing our Bracket Backer™. The President of Federal Brace, Scott Toal says, "It can be used in a lot of different situations, it doesn’t have to be used in a high-capacity setting. If someone wants to enhance the look of their bracket, the Bracket Backer™ offers a trimmed molding look around the bracket."

The main difference between the Bracket Backer™ and a standard piece of lumber is the appearance. The finished piece of lumber will have straight edges. You don’ t have to finish off the edges of the Bracket Backer™. You could go out and get molding, but it’ s not designed to hold the capacity of a granite countertop. As a finished unit the customer only has to cut down one end of the Bracket Backer™ to meet the height requirement of the installation application. The Backer is primed, ready to be painted and installed. You cut it down, paint it and you can put up your brackets.

The material used in Bracket Backers™ is mostly recycled material so it is environmentally green, and it is a medium density fiberboard which means it will be stronger than a soft piece of lumber. The Bracket Backers™ is not a suitable solution where a stained finish is required. With the Bracket Backers™ you will not find any kind of knots or imperfections. The surface should be straight leveled and ready to go since it is manufactured.

In the end both the standard lumber and the Bracket Backer™ have their positive sides, but the Bracket Backer™ is environmentally friendly, has the look you want in a countertop installation and is specifically designed for kitchen countertops.

That’s all for now! Have a good one! ~ SK

TO LEARN MORE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.federalbrace.com/SupportsResources/BracketBackersInfo.aspx

How to Not Settle For Less

This blog is copied directly from a customers email to Federal Brace. All comments and wording is directly from the customer. We have omitted the name for privacy purposes and the name of a large box store because we are nice. However, the content of the email is priceless and truly shows how as a consumer you do not have to settle for less...

" Here are some images of our new brackets. Please let me know if they are usable-if not I will give it another shot!

The first two images (943, 944) were taken right after we had our counter tops installed. I told the "designers" at the [LARGE BOX STORE] design desk what I was looking for - metal brackets that would hold up the granite counter top. I did not want the generic wood corbels that came with the install. They (not very kindly) told me to go look in the shelving section of the store. While the cheap brackets I found at [LARGE BOX STORE] were not exactly what I was looking for, I figured for the inexpensive price, I could live with them.

As soon as the granite installer mounted them he came to find me to show me how he had to brace up the counter top - the cheap brackets that I had purchased from the shelving section of [LARGE BOX STORE] would not hold up the granite.




I immediately got onto your website (http://www.federalbrace.com/) and ordered the brackets that are pictured in images 396 and 399. As you can see they look beautiful and have given me the unique look I was originally looking for. They were certainly more expensive than the cheap brackets from [LARGE BOX STORE], but I am confident that they will do the job they were designed to do, and they will look great while they do it."



We love this! Helping people create just the look they want with the support they need. Pictured above is the Angeln Countertop Support Bracket installed in the customer's beautiful home. Thank you some much for sharing. It has made our day.

To view the Angeln Countertop Bracket product page CLICK HERE

How To Not Get Stuck Without Supports

Plan Ahead, Don’t Compromise

Charlotte, NC – July 6, 2010

One of the great influences for compromise in kitchen design and construction is lack of time. Countless homeowners have been forced to go with solutions that only barely meet their satisfaction because they either did not know what was required or procrastinated until it was too late to get the perfect solution to meet their design and functionality needs.

One area where this “no time – got to compromise” principle shows up is in the support of countertops. After investing thousands of dollars in their countertops most owners are never told that they need support for countertop overhangs. Well, they are likely told but not until the countertop fabricator shows up to run the templates or possibly when the installer shows up to put in the counters. This seriously limits the homeowner’s ability to select a desirable solution for supporting their countertops.

Countertop support brackets are more than just shelf brackets or standard decorative wood corbels. A countertop overhang is no small matter and true countertop brackets are designed to handle the load of the overhang. These types of brackets really constitute hardware in the kitchen and should be selected as such. You cannot pick up them up at the local hardware store or from large box stores because they are not carried. The countertop support brackets used to hold up stone counters are specifically designed for that purpose and are often made to order or when in stock require shipping to the customer’s construction site.

Cathy Morgan knows about the significance of delaying selection of countertop supports. The general manager of Federal Brace, a designer and producer of custom countertop support brackets says, “We hear daily from people looking for countertop supports having just learned that they need them for their countertop installation scheduled for the next day. Unfortunately, that leaves the customer limited to those supports that are stock and bearing overnight shipping costs in order to fill the need.” The additional costs associated with shipping overnight are one thing. But more unfortunate is the customer’s inability to take advantage of the full line of designer countertop supports available or the possibility of using the customization service provided by the company.

Bottom line - time is needed to select the right countertop support bracket. Homeowners are asked, months before they are needed, what type of knobs and handles they want on their cabinets. Why wait until the week before installation to ask what type of countertop support is desired? The answer is a bit simple. No one is sure whose job it is to specify the need for supports. The contractor will generally rely on the countertop fabricator. The fabricator may defer to the installer. Ultimately, they can all point to the problem with limited knowledge of the requirement standards.

Federal Brace is trying to eliminate this problem by educating the contractor and the customers. Their website boasts one of the most comprehensive resource areas on the topic of countertop support. Their customer service representatives are knowledgeable on solving the issue of timing as well. Cathy gives her pointers very concisely – “First, do not wait to hear that you need countertop supports. If you are planning a serving or seating area at your kitchen countertop you will likely need supports for the counters in that area. Be proactive and start your search early. 2. Do not compromise your desires because of timing. It is likely that whatever is put under your countertops will be there until they are removed. Make sure that it is a support that meets your needs visually and functionally.”


About Federal Brace
It all starts with helping people. Federal Brace designs and produces custom, designer countertop support products made specifically to solve the problem of countertop support. Federal Brace serves homeowners, interior designers, architects, builders (commercial and residential) as well as countertop installers and fabricators. Federal Brace supports the creation of U.S. based jobs by producing all its countertop support products right here in the USA.