Uses of Gallows Brackets: A Practical Guide for DIY Homeowners
If you’re planning to fit a new front door canopy, upgrade your porch, or add some decorative support to your home, you’ve probably come across gallows brackets. These sturdy, angled supports are a simple but essential component in many exterior projects.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
What gallows brackets are and how they work
The history of gallows brackets and their grim past
Common uses around the home
The difference between timber, metal and composite gallows brackets
What to consider before choosing a bracket
Installation basics and pitfalls to avoid
Whether you’re researching porch gallows brackets for your door canopy or comparing alternatives to traditional wall brackets, this article gives you the confidence to make the right choice.
What Are Gallows Brackets?
A gallows bracket is an angled support fixed to a wall, usually in a right-angle shape. It transfers weight from a projecting structure (like a canopy or porch roof) back into the wall, making it stable and safe.
Traditionally made from timber, they’re now also available in metal, or maintenance-free composite.
Think of them as both functional supports and decorative features that can enhance the look of your home.
History Of Gallows Brackets:
Gallows brackets have been used in construction since medieval times, where they were essential for strengthening beam joints in timber-framed houses. These early gallows brackets weren’t decorative, but structural, ensuring that heavy timber could safely support upper floors and rooflines. During this time, gallows brackets were also used in the construction of gallows (a structural frame used for executing people by hanging) which is how they came to be called by this rather grim name.
However, over the centuries gallows brackets have evolved far beyond being purely functional. They have kept their place as an important structural component, but have also become a decorative feature in their own right, adding both charm and character. In modern homes, they’re used not only for strength but also to provide a traditional or decorative look.
Today, gallows brackets are made from a wide range of materials, wood for a traditional appeal, steel for strength and modern design and composite alternatives for long-lasting, maintenance-free performance.
Common Uses of Gallows Brackets:
Homeowners typically use gallows brackets for:
Door canopies
Door canopies are the most popular application. Often made from heavy materials like wood or metal, fixings alone are often not enough to safely hold the weight of a door canopy. Gallows brackets spread the load across the wall, significantly increasing how much weight the wall can support.
Gallows brackets for door canopies are also important from a design perspective thanks to there being many options to choose from, you can almost always find an option that will complement the style of the canopy and tie it into the surrounding decoration, whether that’s simple timber for a modern home, or ornate carved designs for a period property.
Bay window supports
Bay windows project out from the front of a house, adding extra light and floor space. But this projection needs support, especially on older homes where bays are constructed with timber or brick.
Gallows brackets are often used beneath bay windows to distribute the weight and prevent sagging over time. While in modern construction bays may be cantilevered or supported by steelwork, retrofitting gallows brackets can be an effective solution for older properties.
They can also enhance the aesthetic, giving the bay a more structured appearance.
Signage and hanging features
Another traditional use of gallows brackets or wall brackets is for supporting hanging baskets and signs. The bracket provides a strong fixing point to carry the weight of soil-filled baskets, which can become surprisingly heavy once watered.
In commercial settings, gallows brackets have long been used to hold shop signs, pub signs, or inn name boards. Their triangular shape makes them ideal for withstanding the pull of a suspended sign, while also creating a decorative frame.
Even in residential gardens, smaller gallows-style brackets can be used to hang lanterns, feeders, or decorative plant baskets, adding both function and charm.
Decorative touches
Though less common, gallows brackets can also be used inside the home. In rustic or farmhouse interiors, timber brackets may be installed beneath beams, shelving, or kitchen mantels to add both support and style.
Here, they are often more decorative than structural, helping to create a handcrafted look. Lightweight brackets are sometimes used purely for show, replicating the traditional aesthetic without the need for heavy-duty fixing.
Timber vs Metal vs Composite Gallows Brackets
When comparing different types of gallows brackets, here’s what you need to know:
Timber Gallows Brackets
Timber gallows brackets are the most traditional option and possibly still the most common. They have a traditional warm look that is hard to match and are very versatile due to them being easy to paint. However, like any wooden product they must be well maintained to stay structurally sound. Timber gallows brackets must be sealed or painted regularly to stop them from rotting or splitting over time.
Metal Gallows Brackets
Metal gallows brackets are extremely strong and decently durable making them the perfect option for holding extremely heavy weight. They fit in well with modern or industrial builds thanks to their simple yet bold appearance. The downside of metal gallows brackets is rust. If the metal is not treated or powder coated effectively rust can quickly set in and corrode which can lead to unsafe and expensive problems.
Composite Gallows Brackets
Composite gallows brackets are a relatively new evolution. They have a higher strength to weight ratio than both timber and metal making them strong and rigid while still being lightweight. Composite gallows brackets are often designed to look like timber brackets and are equally easy to paint making them very versatile. Their biggest selling point is the lack of maintenance needed as they will easily last decades with 0 maintenance needed other than an occasional clean, not suffering the rot or rust problem like timber or metal brackets.
At Apex Canopies, we supply composite gallows brackets with a 10-year warranty, built to take the load of a porch canopy without the headaches of timber or UPVC.
How to Choose the Right Gallows Bracket
Before buying, consider:
Load capacity - Check your needed load weight and match it to the bracket’s rated strength. For example, our gallows brackets are rated to hold 250 kg each and 500 kg when used as a pair with the weight distributed equally.
Size and projection – Make sure the bracket projection suits your application. Too short = not enough support, too long = out of proportion and bulky.
Wall condition – gallows brackets need to be fixed into a solid wall (brick or blockwork). This is vital for the brackets to work properly. Avoid weak or crumbly surfaces. Gallows brackets are only as strong as the wall they’re fixed to.
Style – Make sure to choose a design that complements your home’s architecture. Some are plain and functional, others more decorative. You can do this by matching materials, colours and styles.
Material – There isn’t one material that works for everything and everyone. Choose timber if you want a traditional warm style and don’t mind the maintenance needed to maintain them. Choose metal if you want a modern or industrial feel or if you need them to hold exceptionally heavy weight. Finally, choose composite if you want a simple, good looking bracket but don’t want to deal with the maintenance that comes with timber.
DIY Installation Basics For Door Canopies
A full installation guide is a topic on its own, but here are the essentials:
Mark fixing points accurately on the wall.
Drill into solid masonry using appropriate fixings.
Fit the gallows bracket flush and square.
Check levels before tightening all fixings.
Always use both brackets to spread the load evenly.
Common pitfalls:
Fixing into mortar joints instead of solid brick.
Using brackets that are too small for the canopy.
Alternatives to Gallows Brackets
Not every canopy needs gallows brackets. Modern systems sometimes use:
Hidden steel supports for a “floating” look.
Corbel brackets (more decorative than structural).
Unbracketed canopy systems that bolt directly into the wall (only for small lightweight canopies).
That said, for most DIYers, installing a traditional door canopy, gallows brackets remain the simplest and most reliable solution.
Why Choose Apex’s Gallows Brackets?
Maintenance-free composite (no rot, no repainting)
Rated and tested for 250KG load bearing on their own and 500KG when used as a pair with the weight equally distributed
10-year manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind
Available in a variety of different sizes, shapes and colours to suit your canopy
Competitively priced to give the best value for money.
FAQ’s
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Not always, some canopies are self-supporting, but most traditional door canopies require them.
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Yes, but you’ll need the correct fixings. Always check your wall condition before installing.
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Most porch canopies need two brackets, one either side of the door, to spread the weight evenly. If your using them for a different purpose make sure to look at the load bearing capabilities and contact the manufacturer to get their opinion.
Final Thoughts
Gallows brackets may look simple, but they’re critical to the stability and style of your porch canopy or bay window. By choosing the right size, material, and design, you’ll ensure your home improvement project is both safe and attractive.
If you want a maintenance-free, long-lasting solution, check out our range of composite porch gallows brackets, designed for DIYers who want a professional finish without constant maintenance.