Installation Guide

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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
substructure are considered and discussed to insure that your countertop installation will be smooth and that your
countertop support products will be sufcient.
Note that this installation document should not be considered a specic recommendation for your particular ap-
plication. Federal Brace cannot provide installation guidelines to meet the particulars of every application. This
document should be considered a help sheet that provides considerations about the general characteristics of a
particular type of support and installation.
Characteristics of the Brunswick Style Countertop Support Bracket
Our Brunswick Countertop Brackets are designed to allow the maximum amount of leg room possible under a
countertop extension or serving bar with still providing the strength that comes from a gusseted bracket. The mate-
rial thickness of the Brunswick Bracket is ¼” and the gusset provides additional resistance to deection.
The Brunswick style countertop bracket is suggested for use in all standard application where a countertop bracket
is used – island extension, half wall or pony wall applications and wall shelf mounted. The Brunswick is not useful
in the elevated countertop applications.
Preparations for the Brunswick Bracket
The Brunswick Countertop Supports come in brushed Stainless Steel and raw steel. If you have ordered your
Brunswick 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 com-
patible 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.
Installation Considerations Continued
Considerations when Installing Brunswick Style Countertop Brackets
Whenever installing the Brunswick Countertop Brackets make sure that you provide the thickest possible substruc-
ture (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 Bruns-
wick style bracket no greater than 30” 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 manufacturing the Brunswick 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 brackets making sure that you check the addition-
al 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 countertop 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.
Brunswick Countertop