Using Metal Support Brackets to Accent Hardware

There is no question that Federal Brace countertop support brackets are sturdy. In fact, due to the strength of the brackets, our supports at times tend to be pigeon-holed into only supporting countertops.

Federal Brace has designed a selection of heavy duty yet elegant support brackets that go beyond the simple shelf or standard industrial style support brackets. Many designers and contractors are now seeing Federal Brace Supports for what they are - enhancing hardware pieces that can be used in various home decor applications.

Whether used in the kitchen, bath, studio, office or living areas, Federal Brace Support brings a decor touch that shows the homeowner attention to detail and care for quality. At the recent KBIS 2011 Kitchen and Bath Show we had support brackets in several vendor booths, used in actual applications and we were very honored. A couple of those applications, including Masterbrand's Diamond Series kitchen display (pictured at the top), used the Federal Brace supports to hold self-standing shelves within the kitchen cabinet arrangements. The brackets added to the overall appearance of the full kitchen by giving that touch of metal, tying in appliances, fixtures and other hardware with the cabinets.

So when you are considering that decor enhancement that will make your kitchen, bath, residential or commercial application standout think Federal Brace Supports. Designers using our hardware for decor accents have indicated that Federal Brace brackets are perfect because they are not the wimpy looking thin shelf brackets common on the market. The thickness of material that we use on our bracket make a support that looks like it can hold more than your pantry shelves. At the same time the designers really like the sleek, design enhancing appeal of a Federal Brace Support style. It is not that industrial looking shelf bracket that is used commonly in commercial applications.

How to pick the Federal Brace bracket that is right for your application as a hardware decor accent piece. Follow these easy steps:

1. Determine the Gusset shape that best matches with the overall appeal of your living space. If you want an understated look, look at the supports with the lower profile gussets. If it is high-impact that you want, you will want to look to the brackets with the full gussets.

2. If the bracket will be used in a supporting role for shelves, mantle or other surfaces you will need to think about how deep that surface is and how it will be installed. We suggest using a bracket that is not too small under the surface so that you can't see it. When determining what bracket to use as support we use an industry standard to extend the support bracket to within 4" of the end of the surface.

3. Determine the finish you desire. In most instances our decor enhancing supports are purchased in the brushed stainless finish since it matches so well with stainless appliances and nickel fixtures. However, you may have a particular color you are going after in which case you will want to get raw steel and coat it with your custom color. Check out our helpful video on painting your brackets to get more information on this: PAINTING VIDEO - Please Scroll down to Tips & Tricks.

4. If you need a custom style bracket or to modify a current Federal Brace design to meet your needs contact our helpful customer service representative at customerservice@federalbrace.com to discuss your needs. 

That's it. Now you are on your way to new methods of using Federal Brace Countertop Supports to enhance your kitchen and bath designs.

Our KBIS from last year.

Last April, Federal Brace went to Chicago, Illinois for KBIS 2010. It was the first time for the company. They spent three to four days at the show in a 10X10 booth with up to 15 to 20 countertop bracket designs. The KBIS event ended up being very important for the growth of the company.

The three-man team was very impressed with different vendors, different booths, and even though it was reported that the participation was down from previous years, Federal Brace was very active at their booth and made great contacts. The booth was on the “outskirts” of the traffic areas for the show, but they had a good turnout at the Federal Brace Booth. By the second day, Federal Brace ran out of catalogs and the comments on the countertop supports were very positive.

Federal Brace President, Scott Toal says, “We found the participants were impressed with our designs. We had architects, contractors and designers visit us at the booth. They asked very good questions and pointed out things they like in our product. It was very helpful for a company just entering the market.”

One funny story about the company’s visit to Chicago was a learning experience on the show floor. While setting up the booth the Federal Brace staff learned that if you don’t have union workers setting up your booth you cannot use any power tools. All of Federal Brace products are mounted individually to a display wall. “My hands were so sore by the end of set up.” adds Scott Toal, “Just a funny thing that happened, but the entire venue was phenomenal and we were very happy with the response.”

Now, Federal Brace has close to thirty designs, they have ventured into reinforced corbels, Bracket Backer™ boards and shelf brackets. They invite you to check out their website before attending the show. “We hope that designers will be very impressed with our line,” says Federal Brace General Manager, Cathy Morgan.

This time Federal Brace will bring more catalogs. They had such a positive response and it was the first venture into tradeshows. Now they fully understand why people say KBIS is the pinnacle in the Kitchen and Bath trade and the company is honored to be apart of this event. Last year they made excellent contacts from Chicago and hope to do the same with this year in Las Vegas. It should be an amazing show and they hope to see you all there, BOOTH NUMBER C7283 / 2011 KBIS Las Vegas.


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Federal Brace: More Ways Better Than the ‘other guys’ - Supporting Shelves, Too.

Federal Brace is expanding its product selection to include shelf support brackets. The company’s countertop supports are providing that solution the consumer wants for their solid surface counters and now the company is determined to support the rest of the home as well. With its new line of shelf support brackets Federal Brace is moving into the library, bedroom and pretty much anywhere where there is a standard shelving application.

By the end of the year, Federal Brace plans to add sixteen shelf bracket styles, some of them modeled after your favorite kitchen countertop supports, matching the countertop supports in your kitchen to the shelves in the rest of your house can be achieved.

How are they structured differently? First of all, you’ll notice a considerable weight difference between Federal Brace and Box-Store Brackets. The Federal Brace shelf support bracket is made out of a twelve-gauge material while the standard box store bracket is made out of a thinner material. The Federal Brace shelf bracket mount is a wider dimension. This provides greater strength and stability to your shelves. Federal Brace Shelf Brackets make the wood or plastic counterparts look like toothpicks – in my opinion.

Federal Brace shelf brackets give you a choice, and a benefit in a brushed stainless finish that matches nicely with standard stainless and brush nickel finishes. They provide the stainless steel option, knowing that customers are willing to pay for a certain type of look. You will notice that Federal Brace has less dings than store bought corbels, because of the care involved with the finishing the brackets, and the fact that they are not shipped in containers from overseas. Not to forget, the bracket is constructed with plug welding which gives a weld free finish on the face of the bracket.

Federal Brace knows that some homeowners want to have heavier shelving applications. You can support wood, glass, marble, granite and no weak substitute will do for any of these applications. Some may point out the price comparison, that’s fine, because as the old adage goes, “ you get what you pay for.” So, when your shelves matter, go with Federal Brace Shelf Supports. ~ www.federalbrace.com

Federal Brace has a Dealer Locator! :)

Do you love our solid supports but you'd rather deal with someone directly than buy on-line? No problem. Federal Brace has a growing list of dealers across the United States and Canada that you can deal with.

And now they are easy to find with Google Maps on our website. Check us out at the The Dealer Distributor and Dealer Page.

Please suggest us to your favorite cabinet or kitchen shop so that they may join our Dealer Program. Don't worry, you can still reach us directly at sales@federalbrace.com or call us at #877-353-8899.

Also, if you are a dealer and you are interested in being focused in one of our blogs, please contact me directly at: skendall@federalbrace.com. Thank you!

Federal Brace, A company on the move.

This week I’ve chosen to recount the incredible year Federal Brace has had bringing their customers Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports. They have doubled their countertop bracket line by announcing the release of ten new styles. These fresh new countertop bracket designs augment the large selection of countertop supports already available under the Federal Brace brand.

The company’s new Enterprise Support, Foremont Support, and Perrine Decorative Support styles are part of the new countertop mounted support line. The use of these brackets within this application type is to support an elevated bar directly from the lower countertop level. The brackets are mounted directly to the sub-counter and elevated on a counter or a bar on support plates at the top of the bracket.

Federal Brace announced the Bracket Backer ™, a designing enhancement with backer board trim that protects soft wall material behind brackets in heavy weight applications. This product is designed to prevent sheetrock flexing or crushing of soft wallboard materials.

They provide free video guides and tips regarding countertop and countertop bracket installations. These videos feature trained professionals using various support styles and types in many different applications. They create these videos for the benefit of their customers so they may gain knowledge of the countertop installation process and to see their countertop supports in action.

Federal Brace is no longer just a kitchen countertop support company. To finish out a year of expansive growth, the company is introducing a full line of sixteen shelf brackets. These new offering will include designs from Federal Brace’s most popular countertop support models. Now customers can match their countertop supports with decorative shelf brackets elsewhere in the home.

The Brunswick style support was featured for The KBIS’s Best In Show, in Chicago, where it garnered much interest and positive comments related to both its strength and style. At the IWF show, in Atlanta, wood workers marveled at the craftsmanship of the brackets and showered Federal Brace with positive comments.

When it comes to the customers’ needs, their needs are their number one focus and the driving force of their business. To meet the needs of the consumers they have expanded their offices and added more personal. They have added more dealers and distributors throughout the continental United States. Federal Brace has helped thousands of homeowners with countertop support solutions and is steadfast in supplying Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports for America. Onto 2011!

Holidays are Coming - Is Your Kitchen Design Ready!

The holiday season will soon be down our chimnies and at our doors. Hospitality goes hand in hand with the festivities of the holidays. Family gatherings, dinners with the neighbor and Christmas parties are all opportunities to show family and friends some love.

In these large gatherings, or even intimate dinners, a functionally designed kitchen can make the occasion a success. If a kitchen is not properly situated to provide adequate serving area, there can be congestion or even accidents. Now is a great time to consider making some design upgrades to be ready for the holidays.

An eating or serving bar can be added to a kitchen by putting in a half-stud wall and mounting a counter bar at the top of it. An elevated bar bracket, such as the Alpine Designer Support bracket from Federal Brace, can attractively place tasty treats closer to guests' olfactory senses while enhancing the look of the kitchen as a whole. The stainless steel finish gives the kitchen a luxurious look that makes an impression.

Other possible kitchen upgrades to consider include adding an extension to a kitchen island or adding a serving shelf to an empty wall. Both of these additions assist with those large gatherings by increasing the serving space of your kitchen and dining areas. Also, when the holidays are over these become excellent places for decorative display and informal eating occasions.

Remember, when presenting design upgrades in preparation for the holiday season to give the homeowner time for ordering and installation. Ordering of counters and countertop support brackets should happen now to allow for production and shipping timeframes. You will want to make sure that your design changes get in long before the holiday rush happens!

Check our Federal Brace's Website for details on Support Brackets for your holiday design upgrades: www.federalbrace.com

Finish Steel Support Brackets for the Look You Want

Federal Brace countertop support brackets provide the variety of different selections in shapes and sizes. The companies customization services give you, the designer, the ability to modify and even unique create the support as your design requires. Another area where the Federal Brace countertop support brackets allow you to create as desired is in finishing.

While Federal Brace provides services for finishing steel and even stainless in custom colors and finishes, most of the customers of the company choose to finish the steel brackets off on site at the installation location. By taking this step the designer or client can choose the coloring and texture desired in the finish of their countertop support brackets. There are practically infinite posibilities in finishing on steel, but the real nice thing is that generally any protective paints available from a hardware, paint or box store can be used to finish Federal Brace countertop support brackets.

By using a flat black with a slight texture the look of wrought iron is possible while supporting with the strength of plate steel. In some instances where the unfinished iron look is desired designers will use a clear laquer to finish the bracket. This process brings out the iron colors and variations of color in the metal providing depth and a uniquely rustic appeal to the brackets. Of course, the variety of colors available makes painting the countertop brackets simple. From bright red to cream white, your countertop supports can take on the look you desire.

Heck, stick the countetop bracket on a spinning wheel and let the colors flow - tie-dye countertop supports. Now to figure out what room to put those in...