Installation Guide

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Freedom Hidden Counter
Installation Considerations
Every successful countertop installation begins with good planning and action. Do not wait until the last minute to
order your countertop supports, fasteners or adhesives for installation. Make sure that all aspects of the support sub-
structure are considered and discussed to insure that your countertop installation will be smooth and that your coun-
tertop support products will be sufcient.
Note that this installation document should not be considered a specic recommendation for your particular applica-
tion. Federal Brace cannot provide installation guidelines to meet the particulars of every application. This docu-
ment should be considered a help sheet that provides considerations about the general characteristics of a particular
type of support and installation.
Characteristics of the Freedom Style Countertop Support Bracket
Our Freedom Countertop Brackets are designed to allow the maximum amount of leg room possible under a coun-
tertop extension or serving bar. The bracket is designed with no gusset (or cross stiffener between the supporting
anges). The material thickness of the Freedom Bracket is ¼” for standard lengths up to 12” long on the anges.
Once you go over the 12” sizing the material thickness increases to resist deection.
Without a gusset a bracket will tend to deect (top ange “bending” toward the down ange) more easily than a
gusseted bracket. For this reason the Freedom style countertop bracket is only suggested for use in applications
where sufcient mounting substructure is available, the bracket is not the sole carrier of the weight of the counter
and the top ange that extends under the counter is not required to be longer than 20”. Applications where the Free-
dom Countertop Bracket may be useful is with half wall (pony wall) counter mounted, island extension or applica-
tion where the ends of the counter have sufcient oor to counter support. The Freedom Countertop Brackets are
not recommended in applications where the brackets will carry the full load of the counter without other supporting
structure.
Preparations for the Freedom Bracket
If you have ordered your Freedom Brackets unnished (without paint) you will need to nish them before installation. Make
sure you clean the bracket of any machine oil or rust preventative before painting. Once clean and dry apply a metal compatible
paint to the bracket completely. Let the rst coat dry and do at least 1 more coat. Before installing the brackets the paint should
be allowed to dry completely.
Considerations when Installing Freedom Style Countertop Brackets
Whenever installing the Freedom Countertop Brackets make sure that you provide the thickest possible substructure (at least ¾”)
on which to fasten the bracket. You will want to the fasteners to have as much “biting” material as possible. This will provide
with a secure fastening of the brackets. Also, the substructure must be tied into the oor. Remember, a weak substructure makes
for a weak installation.
With the substructure in place and sturdy, measure out your bracket pattern. We suggest that you space the freedom bracket no
greater than 18” apart on a standard application. Once you have your bracket support pattern set up you can attach your rst
bracket to the substructure. Make sure that when you fasten the bracket that you check for level in all directions. The bracket
should be straight up and down and be level across the top ange as well as down the top ange. This will give the best possible
support result to your countertop.
The top of your bracket should not extend over the top of your support structure but should meet ush with the top. You will
want to use a level to determine the positioning of the top of the bracket to the top of your support structure. When manufactur-
ing the Freedom Countertop Supports we attempt to hit the angle break at 90 degrees 100% of the time. However, sometime
we may be slightly off of that mark. If this is the case with your bracket you should use shims in your installation to bring the
bracket to level. Shims can be placed directly behind the down ange or you may need to slightly plain the support stud to allow
for the bracket to sit ush and level.
Once your rst bracket is in place you can now add the additional bracket making sure that you check the additional brackets the
same way you checked the rst. Also, use a level to test each successive bracket installed to make sure that the whole installation
is level. Placing the level from bracket top ange to bracket top ange will help you read this aspect of the installation.
Once all the brackets are in place you will want to wipe them down to get rid of any handprints or other debris. Just before
installation of your counter you may want to apply adhesive or silicone to the top of the bracket to adhere it to the counter. Once
the counter is in place you can caulk around the edge of the brackets if you choose. This will give greater adherence to the coun-
tertop and cover any gap between the brackets and counter.
Final step is to enjoy your work and your new kitchen counter! We are thankful that you chose to support your beautiful counters
with Federal Brace bracket. We would be thankful if you would send us images of your new kitchen and our brackets under your
counters. We enjoy seeing Federal Brace supports at work.
Also, know that the highest compliment Federal Brace can be given is a reference from our customers to friends and family. If
you have enjoyed your buying experience with Federal Brace please let someone know.