If you're looking for a great way to add character and architectural flair to your home, consider using decorative corbels or decorative brackets. While both are commonly used for exterior purposes, many homeowners also incorporate them indoors to enhance their existing décor.
At Volterra Architectural Products, we offer a wide selection of both corbels and brackets in various decorative faux wood types. These two unique architectural elements are very similar in their decorative applications, but there are some key distinctions you should be aware of. This guide will clarify the differences between corbels and brackets so you can make an informed decision when choosing the perfect one for your project.
Decorative corbels are a type of ornamental support often seen in architecture, historically used to bear weight or conceal structural elements. However, modern faux wood corbels are not load-bearing and are purely for aesthetic purposes. Indoors, they can add an elegant touch to an archway, fireplace mantel, shelving, or other areas of your home. Outdoors, they enhance visual interest on porch ceilings, gables, eaves, or other exterior features.
Our decorative corbels are crafted from high-density foam, mimicking the look and feel of real wood. They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, ranging from intricate, ornate designs to more simple and modern styles to fit your taste. At Volterra, we offer three distinct types of decorative finishes for our corbels: Doug Fir, Rough Sawn, and Majestic.
Brackets traditionally provide structural support, similar to corbels, but they are often less decorative in their original function. They are most commonly seen in exterior applications, such as supporting a porch roof or gable. They can also be used inside to support countertops, shelves, or other heavy objects in a functional context. Like corbels, our decorative wood brackets are made from high-density foam and are not intended for load-bearing purposes. Instead, they are designed to add significant visual interest and architectural detail to both the interior and exterior of your home.
We offer a wide selection of decorative brackets in different shapes, sizes, and finishes. At Volterra, our brackets are available in Doug Fir and Rough Sawn decorative finishes, ensuring you can find a style that complements your home's aesthetic.
While in structural applications, corbels are often more decorative than brackets and used to conceal supports, when it comes to purely decorative purposes, faux wood corbels and decorative brackets can often be used interchangeably. The primary distinction often lies in their typical shape and design emphasis: corbels usually project outward from a wall, providing a more ornate, sculpted look, while brackets tend to have a more angular, L-shaped, or triangular appearance, often designed to appear as if supporting something above.
Volterra’s faux wood corbels and decorative brackets share many similarities: they are manufactured with the same high-quality urethane material, are lightweight, easy to install, and are virtually maintenance-free.
Ready to add unique character to your home? Visit Volterra Architectural Products today to explore our wide selection of decorative corbels and brackets and find the perfect match for your project!