Corner Brace vs Mending Plate Which Reinforcement to Use

The Deciding Question Is the Angle

A corner brace works across a 90 degree joint, with one face on each member. A mending plate works along a straight line, splicing two members end to end or face to face in the same plane. If the members meet at right angles, no mending plate will do the job however thick it is.

Inside or Outside the Corner

Corner braces can be fitted to the inside of the corner, where they are hidden, or to the outside, where they carry more of the load in tension. Our 217 to 220 structural braces are specified for both. On furniture, the inside is normal. On a gate or a pergola, the outside is usually correct.

When the Angle Needs a Gusset

A plain angle bracket carries load by resisting the opening of the fold, and under a real structural load the fold opens. The 206, 207 and 208 angle supports add a gusset between the legs and run up to a 380 x 380 x 40 x 5.0 mm section. Where the connection is structural rather than decorative, the gusseted support is the correct part.

Splicing in Line

For splices, the mending plate ladder runs from 50 x 20 x 1.8 mm for furniture repair up to 430 x 40 x 3.5 mm on the heavy duty line. Centre the plate on the joint so the same number of fixings lands in each member, and bolt rather than screw a structural splice.

Screws Bolts and Slots

Screwed connections loosen as timber dries. That is why the 215 corner plate, 216 strap brace, 219 and 220 braces are slotted for carriage bolts rather than drilled for screws: the slot lets the timber move slightly without tearing out the fixing.