Exterior Brackets & Cornices

¶ In putting together the members of cornices, brackets, or in fact any outside wood-work, white-lead ought to be freely used in the joints; neat joints filled with white-lead are proof against water; those in which this precaution is not taken are much more liable to take water, by which decay is induced and much damage otherwise frequently done.

¶ We now offer a few drawings for brackets, with hints as to the nature of the design to which they apply. Fig. 121 is made of three thicknesses of plank, the middle section being much the thickest and receding from the profile of the outside sections, which greatly enlivens the character of the bracket. This bracket would apply well to main cornice of Design II, Italian villa.

Bracket 121

¶ Fig. 122 is sawed from a single thickness of plank, say three inches through, and would be a very acceptable bracket for almost any house of moderate pretensions in the bracketed style, such for instance as the American cottage design.

Bracket 122

¶ Fig. 123 is also cut from a single plank; its size and contour is significant of a heavy overhanging cornice; it would come in play in the tower of Design X, Italian villa home plan.

Brackets 123/4

¶ Fig. 124 is designed for the base of a tower pinnacle, such for instance as the Italian villa house plans or the plantation house ; by inverting it we have a beautiful cornice bracket. Fig. 125 is a bold bracket for a cornice of great projection. These are both represented as cut from a single thickness of plank, but in practice it will be often found expedient to cut them from two or more thicknesses.

Bracket 125

¶ Fig. 126 is an ornamental bracket, consisting of a roof and wall piece, having the angle filled with sawed work: this, it will be observed, is intended for an cave cornice where the plancier has the same inch nation as the roof. An instance of this may be pointed out in country home plans.

Bracket 126

¶ Fig. 127 is a bracket only to be copied where lightness and elegance are sought, rather than an exhibition of strength or massiveness.

Bracket 127

¶ Fig. 128, though graceful in contour, is nevertheless much more significant of strength than the preceding, and against a heavy mass of building with proportionate cornice would be entirely preferable.

Bracket 128

¶ Fig. 129 exhibits a very pretty mode of rafter treatment in small, light buildings; sometimes it may be appropriately applied to large dwellings. We have shown the same idea, with less projection and embellishment, at picture 41. The figure before us is very suitable for the roof of a summer-house.

Bracket 129

¶ Fig. 130 is a framed bracket, indicative of great strength by its main contour, yet rendered rather elegant by the amount of decorative effort expended upon it it is decidedly of German origin. Such a bracket has a very extensive range of application, but probably harmonizes best with a composition of the nature of the model home plan, where the mansard roof is introduced.

Bracket 130

¶ Fig. 131 has but very little expression of strength, yet as a decorative feature in light cornices of considerable projection, may be frequently employed with a happy effect. The same remarks apply to picture 132; both are designed to be cut from a single thickness of plank, in two parts, as shown by picture 131.

Brackets 131/132/133

¶ Fig. 133 is an ornamental spandrel or angle filling, which never fails to produce an agreeable appearance when introduced in work of corresponding lightness: a very light veranda, summer-house, or conservatory is greatly enhanced in beauty by having this or a similar ornament in the angle, formed by the posts and frieze.

Fig. 134 belongs to that bold class of brackets which gives so much life and picturesqueness, when well applied, to high, strong-looking country buildings. On a small scale it makes a very pretty veranda bracket; in either case, it is cut from a single plank.

Brackets 134/135

Fig. 135 is a plain bracket, cut from a single plank, not particularly demonstrative of strength; it would make a very pretty angle filling at the head of a veranda post. Fig. 136 is a great deal more ornate, being made of three thicknesses of plank, with a considerable amount of regard to elaboration.

Figs. 137 and 138 are both of an ornamental character, and are only applicable in light architecture; either would make a very pretty spandrel bracket for a veranda: they are both made of a single plank.

Brackets 136/137/138

Fig. 139 is a small bracket to be applied where an appearance of considerable strength is required; a little examination suggests that this bracket should have a little more thickness in proportion to its breadth.

Bracket 139

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