architectural corbel, exactly? Corbels In History Generally speaking, an architectural corbel is a structural piece of stone, wood or metal that juts out of a wall and is used to hold some kind of weight. Essentially, a corbel is a type of bracket only it is much larger and often gorgeously decorative. The corbels of 16th century Italy and France, for example, were large and sturdy enough to carry balconies. They were also richly carved and so ornate that they were considered to be artwork just as much as they were considered a functional part of the building’s structure. Corbels Today Today, although corbels can still be made of wood or stone most people opt for decorative corbels made of high density foam. This foam is extremely dense and products made with this material are very durable for interior or exterior use. Unlike natural wood and stone corbels, however, it is easier to install, holds paint better (which means it can be easily customized), and is impervious to many outdoor elements, including shifts in temperature, rot, warp, bugs and more. The ease and durability of high density foam corbels is making the beauty and elegance of decorative corbels accessible to many more home owners. If you are interested in purchasing or getting more information about these corbels, contact a representative from Volterra Architectural Products, LLC today!]]>
Tag: knotty alder corbels
Different Decorative Corbels From Volterra
Decorative Corbels Volterra caters to your every design motif with not one but four lines of decorative corbels cast in high-density foam (HDF):
- Mill cut corbel
- Doug Fir corbel—46 designs
- Saw cut corbel—24 designs
- Smooth corbel—14 designs
Ease of Use
Volterra’s HDF corbels lend themselves to quick interior transformations. If you are struggling to retrofit a design in a space with walls that bow or bend, HDF is ideal. HDF can be sanded and worked easily on site, maintaining alignment of the front edge of a series of decorative corbels even as the back edges adapt to the uneven wall. All HDF products can be mechanically or chemically fastened (screws or glue), and take caulk, joint compound and tape easily for a rich, seamless transition between walls and corbel.A Painter’s Dream
Decorative corbels in HDF can also be painted easily, with a primer to seal the surface and the same paint used for your client’s walls. HDF is nearly impervious to water, making decorative cast corbels suitable for outdoor uses in pergolas, colonnades, balcony supports and other locations where a touch of drama and style are needed. Many of the Volterra decorative corbels are cast to show wood grain, so faux painting by talented interior painters can mimic the country charm of rustic corbels or the sophisticated Italian look of the Renaissance.]]>Corbels for Non-Functional Purposes
Corbels were once essential pieces of architectural support in the Medieval days, when they were built into structures to stabilize fixtures like balconies, as well as portions of the roof that go over the edge of the wall. Advancements in building and constructing have devised alternative methods to the corbel’s elaborate arrangement, but it has still survived throughout the ages in different forms and for different purposes. Many people still love the corbel for its elaborate appearance and elegant shape, which is why it enjoys popularity even to this day. Non-functional corbels find themselves stuck under countertops, ceilings and entryways to serve as striking decorative features. Decorative corbels can be placed in the corners of just about any surface, whether it is where a wall and the ceiling meet or in order emphasize an entry way. They come in various shapes and sizes for different effects as well. Some are short with a simple curved side, while others are long and slope up and down throughout their whole forms. Some are created for the purposes of extending all along the bottom of an upper surface, and other types have long bodies that go down the side of a wall, the top only protruding slightly along the upper surface. Volterra Architectural Products manufactures top-of-the-line corbels for all decorative purposes and in all shapes and styles.]]>
Different Decorative Corbels for Different Surfaces
decorative corbels that exist purely for design. Is this a counterintuitive creation? Not at all. The creative thinking and eye for design that goes into the molding of these corbels has led to many beautiful architectural displays. They can be installed onto many different surfaces to provide elegance and the illusion of support. Corbels come in many shapes and styles, and there is no limit to what they can look like when they exist purely for the decorative aspect. Slip a row of corbels under a kitchen counter that rests at the top of the body and looks to be supporting the countertop that protrudes outward. These additions instantly add an air of sophistication and classiness about the counter, no matter how plain or standard it may look beforehand. Corbels accomplish this same effect with walls and ceilings. Placing one in a doorway where the ceiling meets the wall makes it appear as though it is managing the weight of both surfaces, all while enhancing the regal nature of the entrance, like that fit for a king or queen. Corbels can also fit along the areas where the top of the house meets the underbelly of the roof, lining up and down the surface in long strokes. Different corbel designs serve different purposes, of course. You are not confined to one particular style. Some are short and stubby for smaller surfaces, while others are long and slender and have pieces that jut forward in long projections. Some are angled and edged, while others are smooth and curved. For more information on decorative corbels, call Volterra Architectural Products at 602.258.7373 today.]]>
Wood corbels and brackets