Many styles of architecture have utilized the architectural bracket or corbel in its design. The colonial style of architecture is famous for dentil work and highly decorative corbels. The Victorian style made use of decorative brackets with lots of flair. The craftsman style of architecture popularized again architectural detail in its use of decorative supports in the eves and overhangs. More modern architecture, however, during the late 90s and early 21st century has take a more modest and economical approach to architecture, relying more heavily on functionality and efficiency.
Lately, however, with the downturn in the housing market, the buyers market has brought architectural detail back into architecture. Builders competing with one another for potential home buyers have had to enhance curb appeal to attract interest. With the advent of no rot materials such as AZEK and Versatex, PVC brackets have become popularized in the industry. Decorative PVC brackets, unlike wood, are designed to last a lifetime and never need replacement. They can be custom fabricated from manufacturers and are readily available with quick turnarounds.
Decorative
Architectural PVC Brackets are typically made using a laminating technique. Sometimes they are hollowed out to allow for dead wood installation from the sides. Other times they are made solid and can be mounted with a construction adhesive or with the use of lag screws. AZEK brackets are typically non-structural due to the thermal nature of the PVC and should not be used for structural overhangs without additional support.
PVC brackets are more similar to foam, or urethane brackets, in the sense that they are designed to last forever, but act non-structurally. The advantage to PVC over foam is in customization. PVC brackets do not require expensive moulding techniques and can be hand crafted with relative ease.
PVC Architectural Brackets and Decorative Corbels
Matt Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, a millworks company that specializes in affordable no rot exterior products made from cellular PVC. They manufacture custom PVC brackets and decorative architectural brackets for a variety of architectural applications and can custom make them in a wide range of sizes. Click the links for more details.