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how do i install flat panels to concrete walls please?
Hey guys,
What is your method of fixing flat panels to walls? Not dibond trays just a flat dibond panel to a wall. I have a client who requires ten panels paneled up and I usually use dyna bolts. But these will look a bit unsightly. I also don’t want something I have to like predrill on the wall then align a hole in the panel. I’d prefer to have a hole in the panel already done. Hold the panel in place drill the hole into the concrete then insert the fixing.
Any help appreciated because when I have done flat panels I’ve used dyna bolts.
Cheers
Jason -
13 Replies
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I don’t know what a dyna bolt is.
What about screws, plugs and screw caps?
How big are the panels? I’ve used plastic fixings that hammer into a drilled hole and have a decent looking cap like finish. I wouldn’t use them on anything too big though. VK plugs, they are called.
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Jas
whats a dyna bolt?I looked on google, and it is like a rawl bolt.
For panel fixing dibond, if you dont mind the fixing slightly showing, I use what we call knock throughs
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/87380/Fix … Pack-of-50
They also do a version where the "screw" is nylon as well, but either way once the panel is in place, the fixing goes through the same hole so no need to drill twice.
Over here Cherwell do a "plastic nail" that is fine for dibond, comes in black or white,
called vk plugshttp://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=181590
Peter
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Hey Andy,
Install 9 panels and each panel is 8′ by 4′ panels will be titled vertically. So the overall sign is about 10.8 metres by 2.4metres.
Peter I’ve used them before in our factory to hold conduit into the wall.
This is a dyna bolt: http://svc440.bne087du.server-web.com/P … NABOLT.JPG
It works by making a hole in the wall, you hold your panel in place put the dyna bolt into the panel and into the hole in the wall. Then when you tighten the nut you push that sleeve thats over the bolt into the hole in the wall and it basically jams it up.
I might give those fixings a go peter and just paint the screw bit white.
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Ah, an anchor bolt.
For an 8 x 4 I think I would rather use plugs, screws and caps than the VK fixings. You can still drill and then push the plug through the panel, without removing the panel.
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those bolts are way overkill for a lightweight dibond panel mate… go for the spit-hits peter posted or the screw and plugs as andy has said…
you can pre-drill the panels… once panel one is in place, just sit the next on top, using a normal "blunt" metal drill bit. poke it through the hole and drill a mark on the wall in each hole. lift away the panel and drill with the masonary drill. then in with the plugs and sit the panel back in place and in with the screws.
whatever you use, watch you dont tighten the screws too tight. dibond tends to give the button on a pillow effect if over tightened. times that by all the holes and sheets you will use, stand back and see the sun shining on it and it can look real crap… just tighten till the panel is being gripped. by the time all the others are tightened it will work perfectly. -
Hey Andy have you got a pic of the caps?
Cheers Rob that sounds like a bit more work but I’ll get the finish I want.
I use those bolts mainly because its easier especially when I’m fitting an 8′ by 4′ on my own on a scissor lift. I usually line it up put in the centre bolt tighten it up so there is a bit of give and the sign will hold itself enough until I can get to both the corners. I then level it up do the left one. Do the right one. Move the scissor lift down do the bottom ones and I’m done.
The bolt helps dont usually cause a problem on a busy sign but this one is going to have a white background.
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jason, i buy plastic coloured rivetts and screws from ashby sign supplies. i would bet you will get something like this in oz… because they are part of the screw or rivette they are a neat and come in many colours.
something similar…
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Cheers Rob I will find a supplier here and then post my findings. Seeing I can go the plug method most screws will be suitable.
Cheers
Jason -
make sure your walls are not rough or sharp raised/protruding areas on it before fastening the panel. by that i mean like a brick corner or something…
dibond is soft, when you fix a large panel around the edges it can create an impression in the panel from behind and basically waste the panel. just give it a check… anything you think might mark the panel from the rear, break it down with a hammer just in case. -
What is dibond sheet never heard of it. Please help.
have you though about gluing it to the wall. Use a stuff called sika flex 252. have just glued 1.5mt high alluminium letters to a wall with it sticks like no ones business. Very strong.
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dibond ia a sandwich of two thin outer layers of aluminium(0.3mm)and a polyethylene middle.Comes in 2,3,4,6mm thicknesses and variuos colours as well as metallic finishes. 😀
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use these , just drill , no need for plugs
http://www.aspltd.co.uk/frame-anchor-screws.php
or these
no need to pre drillhttp://www.doityourself.com/invt/0641027
It’s amazing what types of fixings there are nowadays
Ian
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i use the heavier gauge concrete/masonary screw bolts on projecting signs. have never used the lighter weight type. though the large ones i use do have a great grip, but i often wonder how they would hold in software brickwork like sandstone. ill have to give them a try i think… though i doubt ide do away with the plastic plug and screw just yet. 😕 😀
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