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Here’s how you can hang wooden signs of all sizes and weights on your wall. We cover all types of mounting hardware you can use. Read on!
How you approach hanging of a wooden sign depends on the wall itself. Is it indoor or outdoor? Is it a drywall, a brick wall, or vinyl siding? You need to consider all of these details before your begin.
Let’s start with two different popular types of the wall. Then we will move on to choosing the right hardware for both, the inside and outdoor sign hanging.
Drywall Installation
You are using hardware to hang lightweight signs on a nail or screw. Purchase pictorial hardware at or online from your nearest hardware store.
Check the weight of the hardware you are looking to buy. It is typically written on the box.
I was using an automated stud finder to locate the stud. Tap a nail or drag a screw at the required height into the pot. For complete bits, more than one nail or screw at the same measurement may be used.
I am using Sheetrock anchors where there is no stud. Follow the instructions for the kit for maximum performance. Until installing the anchors, traditional anchors can require drilling. A screwdriver twists in newer plastic screw form anchors.
Enter the hardware in the symbol. Follow the installation instructions for the box. There are several different styles of hanging hardware. Wire hangers and scroll-type brackets are two of the most commonly used. A wire hanger is connected to the frame by two tiny eye-hooks. A small pilot hole will help start it, then tightly turn it with pliers.
Apply a hammer and nail to the sawtooth brackets. The Sawtooth brackets are small brackets of nickel or brass, and nails hollow each end. The underside looks like a saw blade. It rests on a pin or a screw and can be shifted to various angles in the bracket to align the image or sign more effectively. For broad signs, more than one frame may be used.
Hang more prominent signs across the face with screws. To avoid splitting the sign, pre-drill and countersink pilot hole. To push the sign into the wall, use drywall screws. Line up large signs for additional protection with studs. Pick the studs and mark them. Until attaching, line the sign and mark for the screws as shown above. Paint the heads of the screw to fit the symbol.
Brick Installation
Hang brick signs with concrete tapcon-style screws. Drill a brick pilot hole with the bit of a 3/16 inch mason. Drive a tapcon anchor with a boiler and screw tip into the cavity. Leave protruding 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch. Hang the sign like hardware for the picture frame.
Put more prominent signs in the sign by perforating the pilot holes. Keep the sign against the wall in place. I was using the pilots’ bit to drill 1/8 inches in the brick face to mark the position of the screw.
Drill the hole for the tapcon in the brick. Keep the sign in place and push the tapcon into the brick through the sign.
Wood Sign Mounting Hardware
Hardware choices are comprehensive to hang or install a wood sign. When I searched for various choices, I was shocked to see how many depended on the surface and weight of the wood signs. It can be very frustrating and honestly overwhelming. I wanted to help you determine what was the best hardware for hanging or installing your wood sign.
For certain types of applications, there are many different types of hanging hardware. I will go through the most typical list since too many of them will be difficult to list. I can also apply to applications after the listing.
Hardware Indoor Hanging Mounting
Sawtooth: it is the typical type of hanger you can use for not heavy wood signs. The standard maximum weight for the sawtooth hangers is 10 pounds. I would not suggest pushing the boundaries of this hanger because the wood sign could be dangerous if it falls.
D-Ring: it is the next standard hanger hardware. The D-ring hanger has a “D” ring that hangs on the screw or nail within the wall. The D-full Ring’s weight is also 20 pounds. Various variations of this hanger carry more weight. Please make sure you stick to the box for the full weight.
Keyhole Slot: it’s outstanding because it helps you flush your wood sign with your wall. The average weight of a Keyhole slot hanger is 20 pounds. There are various variations of this hanger that carry more weight. Please check the package for the full weight.
French Cleat: it has two wood pieces cut in the center at an angle of 45 degrees. The bottom part is attached to the wall, and the other part to the wood sign. You can buy a French Cleat in your favorite hardware or design shops if you cannot.
The French cleat has the advantage of being able to carry tons of weight. The standard French cleat has a capacity of 75 pounds. The amount of weight that can be increased is metal or made larger to match the size of the wood sign.
Twine or Wire: these are widespread forms for a wood sign to be hung. This technique has been used for decades to hang mount wood signs. The benefits of twin or wire are the simple installation and the ability to level the wood signs.
You can also wire on the wood sign on the outside or conceal it on the back. If you choose the cord or wire to be mounted outside the wood sign, it can be more stylistic. For example, if you want to have a rustic or barn wood sign.
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Hardware for Outdoor Mounting
Mounting your wood sign outside is different from hanging inside. You have to take wind, rain, and sunlight into account. This will allow you to decide the location of your wood sign for maximum longevity.
The next factor for hanging your wood sign is the surface on which you will hang. Outdoor applications usually include brick, vinyl, and wood.
Brick or Masonry: Mounting your wood sign to the outside is almost the same technique as inside. It would be best if you had a painter’s tape, a drill, a maceration bit (wall dog diameter size), and a washer and a hanger.
If more than one hanger is required to install the wood sign, use a level to ensure that the hanger’s hole is level. Take one piece of the tape and extend the wood sign to the back.
You will drill your hole into the mortar for the wall dog. Place the hanger over the wall dog and then screw it into the morter using your drill.
Vinyl Siding: vinyl siding is a fascinating surface where wood signs are hung. The explanation is that it’s complicated because it’s not smooth. Some people drill a screw into the vinyl side, leaving a hole in the side that allows moisture to reach the building’s wooden side. That is not recommended.
There are several products on the market that allow your wood sign to be installed. They work with the vinyl siding oddly enough and do not harm the vinyl siding. This is the perfect option for shifting or removing the wood sign later.
Wood siding: Wood siding is much easier to deal with, mainly if the wood siding is vertical as it is a flat surface. Wood siding You may screws and nails to spread across the surface to put up your wood sign if you have much like the vinyl siding with a rough siding.
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