Corbels Guide

Though it is an old and somewhat unknown word, corbels are still very much relevant today. In this article we’ll answer the questions of what they are, as well as what they are used for today, and what they have been used for through history. Their use dates far, far back in the history of architecture, but currently they are much more popular for indoor use than they ever were back in the old times.

Corbels are bracket-like supports which come out of one wall and hold up something else which is jutting out horizontally. They are like a fancy, carved triangle of support between the vertical and horizontal. Corbels are common to see on old buildings (even ancient) where they are form a stone or wood support between the exterior of a wall and the roof itself. You will find them everywhere, but especially throughout Europe (France, Germany, etc.) and even in old Chinese architecture. They always add a very classic look to no matter how they are used.

Source: Wikimedia.org

These fine pieces of support structure are usually made of either stone, marble, or wood. Stone and marble corbels are found typically on outer structures. Think of medieval churches with their gargoyles. Because of weather considerations, you will usually find wooden ones in use inside someone’s home. These will also serve to keep the mood a little less “stoic”. If you want a more casual design, you should opt for wood. However, these have frequently been used on the outside of people’s homes as they go better with houses because they are made out of the same material. (You wouldn’t want a marble corbel on a wood home!)

Nowadays, corbels are most often used to support shelves, countertops, and fireplaces. In the latter they serve much more of a design than functional end. More than likely you have seen a fireplace in a living room or den with two long corbels jutting up the sides of it. Folks who update their kitchen countertops are often surprised to find that corbels play an important supporting role.

Ultimately, corbels are as much in use today for their stylistic applications as they are for their structural help. Today’s architects have figured out better ways to build sturdier buildings, but many people just love the fancy design of these pieces. If you are a modern homeowner looking to implement corbels in your own plans, you will probably be better off just focusing on the look and feel of them rather than their weight-bearing capacities.