Corbels are among the oldest and most widely used architectural devices that have both functional and decorative use.  They have been employed in both roles since the Greek civilization that erected those beautiful stone and marble public structures that are valued archaeological sites today.  The Roman Empire that followed used corbels also and expanded on the traditional decorative themes that the Greeks utilized, adding a few of their own.

As decorative corbels became a part of less imposing structures, the artisans that produced them began working with hardwood; it is easier to carve wood than chisel stone and the variety of woods available provided many options for color, grain and so forth.  Today urethane has emerged as a third option for manufacturing corbels that are both decorative and functional.  They are produced through a molding process which produces architectural trim of many types, that is every bit as detailed and precise as the wooden counterparts carved by artisans.

• Synthetic corbels can be load bearing, functional support devices as well as ornamental trim, supporting shelving, mantels or countertops just as a hardwood version would.

• Urethane is a resilient scratch resistant material that will mar less readily than wood. 

• Urethane takes paint easily and will not peel or crack like wood.  Ultraviolet light has virtually no effect on it so a corbel in an exterior setting will not fade as a standard, painted wooden model might.

• Urethane is easy to work with, often requiring no water sealant for exterior applications.  The number of designs available provides a multitude of options for both interior and exterior functions.

• The molds used in manufacturing synthetic corbels are so sophisticated today that they can reproduce wood grain.

• All of the scrolling and floral patterns done in urethane appear authentic, as do the simpler recessed models that are often used for subtle design purposes or for interior installations.