Federal Brace designs and produces solid steel countertop support brackets. Our bracket,
while sleek and beautiful, are designed to hold the weight required in a countertop
application. In designing and producing the Federal Brace line of countertop support
brackets, we have established standards related to the design of a countertop bracket.
Below are the referenced standards in countertop support bracket designs. Federal Brace
suggests that in instances where weight capacity is an issue that a design engineer be
consulted on site to discuss the application. All local, state and federal codes and laws should
be reviewed to ensure compliance with stated requirements.
Recommended Countertop Bracket Design Standards
Countertop Support Material:
All recommendations here assume a material of A36 steel. If a weaker material is used, it is
recommended that concessions be made in terms of size or number of supports to account for
the weaker material.
Countertop Support Thickness:
All weight bearing countertop support brackets are recommended to be made to a minimum
thickness of 7 gauge (.1793") in the gusseted configuration and 1/4" thickness in the nongusseted
configuration. To view the anatomy of a countertop bracket
click here.
Countertop Support Width:
Countertop brackets actively supporting a countertop application may vary significantly in
design and specifications. However, it is recommended that the supporting flange directly
under the countertop surface be no less than 1.5" in width.
Countertop Support Flange Length:
It is recommended that the countertop support bracket selected for a particular application
have a top flange length (flange directly under the countertop surface) that extends to within
4" of the end of the counter.
It is also recommended that the top flange not extend past twice the length of the down flange
(flange extending down the support structure in a standard countertop bracket configuration.
In instances where additional support is being added along the top flange length, such as an
application using cabinet strap brackets, would be exceptions to this recommendation.
Countertop Support Holes:
Holes cut or drilled into the countertop support bracket may or may not be countersunk
. Regardless of treatment of holes, the diameter of the hole placed in a countertop
support bracket should be determined in such a manner to provide for a adequate sized
fastener to be able to be used for fixing the countertop support to the support structure. Holes
in countertop brackets should not exceed 2/3 of the size of the flange width in which they are
placed. Holes should not be drilled in a position on the flange as to interfere with the outer
edge of the support bracket or cause significant weakness in the flange material to tear away
from the fastener.
Distances between holes on down flanges of countertop brackets attached to the support
structures should not exceed 12". A minimum of 2 holes is recommended in any supporting
flange of a countertop bracket attached to the support structure. Holes may or may not be
placed in the top flange based upon application.
**While Federal Brace provides this information as a helpful guideline for reccomendations of countertop support bracket design, it is not intended to be Engineering documentation. When designing a countertop support for a specific application, Federal Braces highly suggests consulting a design engineering professional.
