Mounting options
explained
Option 1 - Standard Panels with Predrilled Holes Around the Perimeter
Option 1 is also known as our standard option, and all the panels you can see on our Shop page come with it. Predrilled holes around the perimeter, spaced out evenly, allow for the panel to be attached flat to the surface by using appropriate screws. A different way to use these is to sandwich the panel in wood, making a frame, adding your own flair to it in the process.
The head of the screw is slightly visible if you install a panel like this, but it’s fairly close to the surface and blends well, especially if you color match the screws.
Some people use their own mounting hardware to use our panels in unique and interesting ways. This involves hooks, connection strips, clips, and angle brackets, and lets you use a flat panel for almost any purpose
Others go even further and use our panels as improvised cupboard covers, bench backs, tabletops, and more!
Option 2 - Flat Panels with Countersink Holes
Option 2 is similar to Option 1, except that the screws will be more discrete. Countersunk holes allow the head of the screw to fit flush with the surface of the panel, and are intended for those who want to mask the mounting method as much as possible.
f you want, you could mask the connection even more by applying putty or paint.
The panels can be installed in the same way as ordinary flat panels, so there is still a great deal of creativity involved in the whole process.
Option 3 - Bent 90 Degree Tabs Around the Perimeter
Option 3 is similar to L brackets, and is intended for mounting the panel from the side. 1” bent tabs let you attach the panel to (or in-between!) walls, floors, and ceilings, and are a great choice for when you need to mount it to a post while keeping it light. Tabs are excellent for railing inserts, window and opening covers, and panels that have to fit into uneven spaces.
Tabs can be customized in length and placement. As tabs are cut from the same initial panel, there is a slight “dip” when viewed from the front, but it doesn’t affect the aesthetics – the panels still look amazing.
Option 4 - Bent 90 Degree Flange
Option 4 is adding a 90-degree bent flange to one or more sides of the panel. The flange runs the entire length of the side, and is usually either 1.25” or 1.5” in length (though we have made longer and shorter ones when needed). A flange adds stability, rigidity, makes the panel sturdier overall, and is the best option for fences, screens, and more see-through pieces.
Another benefit of having a flange is that the panels can be attached to each other directly without having to mount them to a post. You can have any number of flanges on a panel, so a bottom-only flange is a popular option for fence toppers, and side flanges are great for mounting the panel between posts.
For railings, having a top flange is an easy way to have a faux handrail, and mask the edge of the panel.
As our panels are powder coated on both sides, even if you have a flange “backwards” the panel still looks great – and you don’t have to worry about reaching behind it with tools if you are tight on space.
Option 5 - Angle Brackets
Option 5 is a separate L bracket, which can be used to attach a flat panel to a surface sideways. We are able to make longer or shorter brackets as needed, so if you require something custom, we are able to do it!
You can also use it as a ground stake for decorative projects if you don’t need a full inground post.
L brackets are also used for our Engineered Screens, a line of products that has been certified by a professional engineer to meet Ontario building codes.
Add-on 1 - Square Aluminum Post with a Welded Base Plate
Previously known as Option 5. Add-on 1 is a square aluminum post with a welded base plate, and can be used to mount a panel in front of it, or on the side of it. These posts come in multiple widths, and can also be used for mounting our gates.
The size of the base plate ranges from 4” to 5”, and you can even use it on top of wide fences if it strikes you fancy.
Add-on 2 - Square Aluminum Post (No Base Plate)
Previously known as Option 6. Add-on 2 is a square aluminum post with no base plate, and it can be either sunk into ground or concrete, or mounted sideways to an existing structure. Just as with Add-on 1, multiple widths are available, and the posts can also be used for our gates.
To install these into the ground, you’ll have to first make a hole deep enough that the structure is stable.
These posts are also used as structural support and mounted horizontally with panels on top of them, or sideways, with gates attached to them. This way of installation is a popular choice for privacy panels used in outdoor spaces like grill areas and pergolas.
Add-on 3 - Welded Aluminum Frame
Previously known as Option 7. Add-on 3 is an aluminum frame to which the panel of your choice is welded to. It can be used when you need a panel that looks like a screen, or prefer that your frame be made of the same material as the panel.
This is also how our gate panels look! A welded frame can be adjusted from our standard width of 1.25” if need be, so if you have something special in mind, do reach out to discuss it with us!
The panel is spot-welded to the gate and then powder coated, so the welding seams are covered, and there are no interruptions to the finish.
Add-on 4 - Stand Offs
Add-on 4 is most often used for interior projects. If you wish to elevate the panel off the mounting surface, we can provide you with ¾” black plastic stand-offs to achieve this. These can be used alongside Options 1 and 2 for best results, and are great for masking hardware used to install the panel.
If you want to go an extra mile, you can use them alongside tabs or flanges to extend the panel from the side, or you could layer the panel and a backing of a different color to achieve a completely new look. This is also a good option if you want to put some lights behind your panels to make them truly unique.
