The Ultimate Mantel Support Shopping Guide

Throughout history, the fireplace has been the heart of the home. Today, little has changed about the purpose and function of the fireplace. Fireplaces provide warmth and encourage gatherings of loved ones. Many years ago, the wood burning fireplaces doubled as ovens, meant both for heating efficiency and for creating a warm meal. Now, gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces have replaced the old wood pellet stoves but serve the same purpose- of  warmth and family. A handsome mantel adds an element of personalization to your home’s hearth and is a timeless addition to any home fireplace. Living rooms have transformed over time to being the entertainment center of the home, where the television is the focus. This transition has brought additional focus to the fireplace and mantel area in the house. Often, the television is mounted on the wall above the fireplace, and an unassuming, more simplistic mantle display is warranted for such applications. Whether you are looking for your mantel shelf to be the focal point of your hearth or are looking for options for a contracting job, we have something to fit your needs. Federal Brace offers a variety of American made options from support rods and corbels to heavy duty steel mantel brackets. We are the top contractors choice in high quality mantle support systems. Are you looking to upgrade your mantel? This guide will help you choose the best Mantel Bracket for your application! Keep reading to learn more about our Mantel Supports. 

Which Mantel Bracket Is Best For My Application?

Federal Brace Weight Bearing Mantel Corbels

Specialty corbels combine elegance with a heavy duty black bracket. The beautiful powder coated black bracket helps to create separation from the mantel finish and the unfinished maple corbel allows staining to either match the mantel finish or create a unique contrast for your mantle.

Blue Ridge Mantel Corbel

The Blue Ridge Mantel Corbel is an elegantly styled wood corbel that is designed to bear weight and serve as a support for your mantel beam. Simply install the metal bracket to the wall, fix the wood corbel to it, then install the mantel beam on top of your corbels! 

Crowders Mantel Corbel

With the Crowders Mantel Corbel, you can have a beautifully designed decorative corbel that also bears weight! Our mantel corbels are paired with a durable metal support bracket to provide style and support in one product.

Wood Corbel Scalloped Overhang Bracket

The Wood Corbel Scalloped Overhang Bar Bracket by Federal Brace allows a lot of space in your seating area with the low profile. The Scalloped Overhang bar bracket is hand crafted and comes in unfinished maple that gives you the option of staining or painting to match your custom look. Equal flanges give good coverage under the counter and down the cabinet. The back of the wood corbel has been routed and pre-fit with the heavy duty corbel rib mount system and includes your fasteners.

Lincroft Low Profile Wood Corbel

The Lincroft Wood Corbel by Federal Brace is a low profile, sleekly designed member of the Federal Brace reinforced wood corbel collection. Sporting chamfered edges with a minimal gusset section. The Lincroft gives a spacious, airy feel with a traditional wood finish. The overall measurements of 12 x 10 inches and a width of 3 inches in combination with the internal hidden steel rib provides sturdy carrying capacity for a wood corbel configuration. 

Cumberland Low Profile Wood Corbel- Reinforced

The Cumberland Reinforced Wood Corbel by Federal Brace features an unfinished wood grain, low profile corbel pre-routed for a .25 inch thick steel support rib to carry granite overhangs and bar tops. This Wood Corbel is designed to enhance home and office decor with fine lines, spacious, open character and a low profile gusset that will not interfere with knees under counters.

Lexington Overhang Wood Corbel

The Lexington Overhang Wood Corbel by Federal Brace is designed with equal support areas to provide optimum coverage under the counter and down the cabinet. The Lexington Overhang wood corbel is unfinished maple and will require finishing with stain or paint to match your custom look. The back of the wood corbel has been routed and pre-fit with the corbel rib mount system.

Federal Brace Mantel Brackets

Federal Brace mantel support brackets easily tie into your stonework or stud walls. Each mantel support can hold an unbelievable 375 to 500 pounds each (depending on design) allowing you to mount heavy wood beams or granite/stone shelves. Our mantle shelf brackets are finished in matte black powdercoat for ultimate protection from the smoke and/or outdoor elements.

Appalachian Mantel Bracket

The Appalachian Heavy Duty Mantel Support Brackets by Federal Brace in 0.375" steel are powder coated flat black for an attractive minimalist support. Available for 6x6 or 8x8 beams, 4 countersunk holes tie into the rock or stud wall for a secure structure to last the lifetime of your fireplace. 

Nevada Mantel Bracket

A full "U'' bracket supporting 6x6 or 8x8 mantel beams, the Nevada Mantel Bracket by Federal Brace has two holes on the front wrap. The Nevada is a heavy duty mantel support in 3/8" steel, powder coated flat black. 

Breckenridge Mantel Bracket

The Breckenridge Mantel Bracket by Federal Brace is designed to support the heavy beam mantels used on indoor and outdoor fireplaces. A heavy duty mantel support in 3/8" steel, the Breckenridge is powder coated flat black. 

Federal Brace Support Rods

We have floating mantel rods for a completely finished and floating look. These products are for people who want a floating mantel but also people that have a mantel so attractive it doesn't need any decorative elements when it comes to the support pieces. Also, it's a pretty easy installation and common in the industry. 

Stud Mounted Mantel Rod

When floating or supporting a heavy mantel it is important that your bracket provide more than adequate carrying strength and a secure connection with your support structure. The Stud Mounted Mantel Rod by Federal Brace is made of heavy duty steel construction and as a structural bracket it locks tightly to the side of your wall studs. 

Floating Mantel Support Rod

The Floating Mantel Support Rod by Federal Brace is designed to support heavy, wall-mounted mantel beams. The base plate and tube diameter are extra large to ensure the highest carrying capacity possible by a bracket of this format. 

Light Duty Wood Corbels (Non Weight Bearing)

Federal Brace has wood corbels available in many designs that are routed and pre-fitted with our light duty mounting systems. This makes mounting your corbel easier and eliminates the risk of splitting the corbel or matching stain to cover the mounting hole. This mounting system gives you flexibility in installation and also offers protection for your corbels. Each wood corbel will comes with the light duty mount system and fasteners. For heavier-duty mounting applications, browse our selection of wood corbels with rib mounts.

Lexington Overhang Wood Corbel

The Lexington Overhang Wood Corbel by Federal Brace is designed with equal support areas to provide optimum coverage under the counter and down the cabinet. Common applications for these light duty corbels are decorative purposes for finished mantels, cabinets, and counters that already have support. The Lexington Overhang Wood Corbel is available in unfinished maple and requires finishing with wood stain or paint to match your custom application. The back of the wood corbel has been routed and pre-fit with the light duty mount system. 

Wood Corbel Bar Bracket

Add character and class to your project with The Wood Corbel with Mount System by Federal Brace. Common applications for these light duty corbels are decorative purposes for finished mantels, cabinets, and counters that already have support. This corbel bar bracket is hand crafted and comes in unfinished maple that gives you the option of staining or painting to match your custom use.

Wood Corbel Scalloped Overhang Bar Bracket

This corbel bar bracket is hand crafted and comes in unfinished maple that gives you the option of staining or painting to match your custom use in home decor. This wood corbel gives additional artistic and decorative touch to your project. The back of the wood corbel has been routed and pre-fit with the light duty mount system (non weight bearing purposes) and includes required fasteners. 

Mission Wood Corbel

The Mission Wood Corbel by Federal Brace has a focus on simple horizontal and vertical lines with flat panels with a classic design. Common applications for these light duty corbels are decorative purposes for finished mantels, cabinets, and counters that already have support. This corbel bar bracket is hand crafted and comes in unfinished maple that gives you the option of staining or painting to match your custom use. 

Mantel Installation Videos (HOW TO)

Mantel Inspirations

We love when we see Federal Brace customers with their products in use! We have gathered a collection of application images featuring our Mantel Brackets and Corbels used in various different ways, from decorative additions to fireplaces to underneath countertops and islands. This collection of images is a great way to jump start your imagination and get your ideas flowing so you can get your project started. 

Need Help Deciding Which Mantel Support Is Right For Your Application?

Still need some help deciding what product is best for your application? From home DIY’ers to professional home improvement contractors, our customer success team is here to help! Interested in a custom mantel piece? Or need multiple bulk orders for your project? From residential to commercial we will help find the mantel support you need. We proudly offer exclusive pricing to contractors, builders, architects and those needing larger quantities of brackets. Visit our page HERE to get you started with some assistance. Give us a call, Monday-Friday, 8:30-5pm, and we can assist in choosing the correct product for your mantel and help you get your project started!