Frequently asked questions
The main differences between Steel and Stainless Steel are the corrosion resistance of stainless as compared to raw steel (or cold rolled steel). Stainless resists corrosion and does not require finish treatment to prevent rusting. Raw steel does require a finish such as painting, plating or galvanizing in order to inhibit rusting.
There is little to no difference in carrying capacity between the two metals. Our stainless steel parts are finished with a brushed appearance. Raw cold rolled steel parts are cleaned and ready for application of paint.
The common thickness used in metal brackets found in stores is around 11 gauge (.125 inches). While this thickness may be sufficient for most shelf applications, we would not suggest supporting your granite with it. Federal Brace countertop brackets are designed in ¼” (.25 inches) thick material. Our brackets and corbels are twice as thick as other brackets in the market and it shows in the way they support!
Our Freedom Style countertop brackets are an excellent solution for creating the “unsupported” or hidden bracket look to your countertop application. These brackets are intended to be hidden by covering the down flange of the bracket behind the fascia covering the backside of your cabinet or knee wall. However, it is important to understand that since this bracket design does not include a gusset or stiffener between the supporting flanges it has a higher frequency of deflection (flexing) than a gusseted support. For this reason, Federal Brace