The right way to install a 24' x 12' aluminum sign

[nolanola]

Hello.
We got a job to make a 24' x 12' aluminum sign (9 sheets) with vinyl on it.
It will go on a corrugated metal wall.
What is the right way to do it?
I like how aluminum pan signs look, but I believe its not possible in this case, because there should be no gaps between the panels.

The grey lines on the attached below are 2x2 aluminum square tubing. The maxmetal sheets will be attached to the aluminum tubing to prevent it from waving (corrugated metal wall).

Is it the right way to do it?

Thank you.

 

[Gino]

You really mean 12' x 24', don't you ??


Anyway, you didn't mention what thickness your ACM is gonna be, but you're gonna need more supports in there or you'll have sheets bowing in and out all over the place with that configuration.

Here's one we're in the middle of doing. This is for a 120" x 36" and we're using 10mm ACM on both sides. It will be lagged down into two brick pillars about 28" out of the ground. It might be a little overkill, but I don't hafta worry about a thing. The steel cost me $35.50 and took about 2 hours to cut, weld and grind. It'll take another 1/2 hour to put the rust infusion on and another 1/2 hour to paint it.

 

[nolanola]

I am sorry, what does ACM stand for?
Should we build the frame at the shop?
I was thinking about putting the aluminum tubes to the wall and than bolting the maxmetal to the tubing.

Thank you.

 

[tbullo]

ACM = aluminum composite material. Maxmetal, Dibond, E panel and the like.

 

[Gino]

Aluminum Composite Material.

How high up on the wall is it going ?? Will you, along with others have easy access to it ?? If so, so will vandals. Hopefully, this is going to go high, or in an area where no one can get to it. That would be a very tempting canvas for graffiti artists.

Regardless of where it's going, think about it......... if going on a wall, it will be a little hard to transport and if you can, you'll need a crane to hold it while lagging it on. Probably build it in 3pcs 12' x 8' and then put a connector in the middle to make sure no lumps or dips will telegraph through. Then attach your face panels. Again, you might need a bucket truck or knuckle boom to get them on there.

Do you have permits to do this and the right kinda insurance ??

 

[nolanola]

It will go 15 feet above the ground.
The installers I work with have the insurance.
I thought the job can be performed with a bucket truck only.

 

[Billct2]

We did a very similar job. As Gino suggested we had more struts and built it in a few sections to ease transport.
On site we assemble it into one piece. we set the bottom brackets ahead of time. Then it was picked up with a crane
and rested on the bottom brackets while a guy in a bucket did the fastening.

 

[GVP]

My suggestion would be to use a banner face system like Acklands - http://www.acklandmediaframes.com/
You would have a one-piece face, a lightweight install and changeable if needs be. Something to consider?

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

My suggestion would be to use a banner face system like Acklands - http://www.acklandmediaframes.com/
You would have a one-piece face, a lightweight install and changeable if needs be. Something to consider?

We use something similar manufactured by Admiral and distributed through Grimco called the Clips In banner frame. The nice thing with this system is the banner would be suspended 3/4" away from the wall that it's mounted to, so you can use 3/4" foam insulation as a backer to prevent the panel ribs from showing through and to add durability by not allowing the banner to flex in high winds. They are extremely fast and easy to install and replacing the banner is quite easy as well. It really is a nice option and looks way better than a multi panel setup.

 

[Typestries]

Nice work Gino. We would build the same kinda frame, but down here at the shore it would be aluminum so it wouldn't rust up. We keep angle and square tube in stock. Easy to cut, and even weld with a spool gun setup. Added bonus, PL makes a great secondary bond beyond just mechanical fasteners between ACM and aluminum provided you clean the aluminum first. Also overkill but I don't put stuff up, to come down.

 

[Drip Dry]

We use something similar manufactured by Admiral and distributed through Grimco called the Clips In banner frame. The nice thing with this system is the banner would be suspended 3/4" away from the wall that it's mounted to, so you can use 3/4" foam insulation as a backer to prevent the panel ribs from showing through and to add durability by not allowing the banner to flex in high winds. They are extremely fast and easy to install and replacing the banner is quite easy as well. It really is a nice option and looks way better than a multi panel setup.

These 2 suggestions would be ideal for your situation.
1 piece to put up and no seams

 

[nolanola]

Thank you for the suggestion the banner frame.
I think vinyl on the aluminum panels will last longer than the banner.
And the client has approved the aluminum already.

 

[FS-Keith]

Im dying to know if you priced this job already without knowing how to build it. Regardless, if this was our job we would try and sell them on a flex face frame system

 

[FS-Keith]

You really mean 12' x 24', don't you ??


Anyway, you didn't mention what thickness your ACM is gonna be, but you're gonna need more supports in there or you'll have sheets bowing in and out all over the place with that configuration.

Here's one we're in the middle of doing. This is for a 120" x 36" and we're using 10mm ACM on both sides. It will be lagged down into two brick pillars about 28" out of the ground. It might be a little overkill, but I don't hafta worry about a thing. The steel cost me $35.50 and took about 2 hours to cut, weld and grind. It'll take another 1/2 hour to put the rust infusion on and another 1/2 hour to paint it.

are you just skinning both sides of that with acm? you might want to weld upright tubes on the ends also to close up the ends so it looks better from the sides and doesnt turn into a nest for critters

 

[Gino]

ACM on both sides with a pre-bent aluminum 'U' shaped end cap which will be riveted on..... on site.

 

[GVP]

Thank you for the suggestion the banner frame.
I think vinyl on the aluminum panels will last longer than the banner.
And the client has approved the aluminum already.

You do know that a majority of large backlit signs use a flex face (i.e. banner type material) ?

How are you fastening the Aluminum to the frame? Hopefully not ugly screws through each panel?

 

[FS-Keith]

ACM on both sides with a pre-bent aluminum 'U' shaped end cap which will be riveted on..... on site.

you are welcome for bringing that to you're attention

 

[Gino]

you are welcome for bringing that to you're attention

Huh....... did I miss something ??

 

[Brandon708]

Your title reminded me of this video. It's interesting to see how they hung this sign.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153849424133030&id=83124013029

 

[visual800]

Your title reminded me of this video. It's interesting to see how they hung this sign.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153849424133030&id=83124013029

thats how billboards used to be hung back in the day, they had drive pins in the to clamp them together.


as far as this post I want to see the artwork for your sign please