Large Flag Mounted Signs

[rydods]

I didn't make these signs, just pulled them off of the internet but I've seen some like them in Cities I've visited. I don't plan on installing one but just curious...

For the engineers out there, what mounting hardware are you using for something like these applications? Do you bolt completely through to the other side of the wall to a plate on the other side?

I just feel like without some support/chains or cables pulling these up and back towards the wall, they are going to pull away and drop at some point.

I would love to get some insight into how these signs are mounted.

 

[John_Smith]

Mounting is always on a case-by-case basis, depending on the building, how it's made, and the age of everything.
A side note: I've never heard this type of sign being called a "flag mounted" type. Is this a location thing?

 

[JBurton]

We refer to them as projecting signs. Agreed, case by case, especially when the building is ancient brick/stone. Usually you'd aim for full through bolt, including a dead man on the inside that spans either studs or a significant area of the inner block wall. Corner mounted like that spade sign are especially prone to crumbling the brick upon install if the mounting holes are too close to the corner, and likely goes through a beam. That's not to mention the challenges involved in squaring up two corners, 45'd into a square tubes, plus the face that most square corners aren't perfectly square, so one side is probably shimmed because they made the angle at 95 degrees to compensate.

 

[JBurton]

All that is to say, why is the Roosevelt Club sign shaped like a spade instead of a club? Big missed opportunity!

 

[Stacey K]

All that is to say, why is the Roosevelt Club sign shaped like a spade instead of a club? Big missed opportunity!

Isn't a spade the symbol of the LBGTQ or something like that? I could be wrong...

 

[JBurton]

Isn't a spade the symbol of the LBGTQ or something like that? I could be wrong...

I wouldn't think so, simply as the phrase, calling a spade a spade, flies in the face of anything nonbinary.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm wrong, congrats stacey, your alphabet knowledge trumps mine today!

 

[unclebun]

Isn't a spade the symbol of the LBGTQ or something like that? I could be wrong...

I asked The Google. Apparently each "Ace of" has been co-opted to represent something sexual.

• Ace of Spades: Asexual and aromantic people.
• Ace of Hearts: Romantic asexuals.
• Ace of Clubs: Grey asexuals or greyromantics.
• Ace of Diamonds: Demisexuals or demiromantics.

 

[MikePro]

as stated above, its a case-by-case basis.
projecting signs sometimes require blocking installed behind brick/stucco, as the load increases the further you extend-out from the wall.

 

[rydods]

So what do you do when you don't have access behind the wall?

 

[rydods]

Mounting is always on a case-by-case basis, depending on the building, how it's made, and the age of everything.
A side note: I've never heard this type of sign being called a "flag mounted" type. Is this a location thing?

Sorry, flag mounted may just be a single pole with a hanging sign.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

So what do you do when you don't have access behind the wall?

Tell the client no

 

[John_Smith]

Since you don't plan on installing one but are just curious .......
"Brick Buildings" are not solid bricks. There is "normally" a 2 or 3" space between the brick "veneer" and the building itself, which could be plywood or CMU (cinder block). So, the only way to find out what is what is to consult with the building's owner or drill exploratory holes.
So, if you ever get a chance to quote on a similar job, turn around politely and Run Forest Run !!!

 

[rydods]

My town is pretty strict on signs like these. A company from out of town did a Lume sign (weed store) but it's not very big. Big enough for me to be curious about how it's mounted without chains for additional support and wind load.

 

[JBurton]

So what do you do when you don't have access behind the wall?

Depends if they really want it up. They could either get a contractor to pull the drywall in whatever office is behind the sign, or they could get used to staring at a piece of angle mounted in their office. If you have a long enough drill bit, there is always access 'behind' the wall. We got a 54"x5/8" hammer bit for one job years ago. It's still going strong!

 

[DarkerKat]

Hey, we do a lot of these. Couple different methods depending on what state the building is in. often these are planned out during construction, for a larger blade that's going to be a must. Gets more complicated for corner mounted signs.
Option 1 - we supply square tubes welded to backer plates that get installed inside of the building protruding from the wall. power is threaded through one of these tubes and we leave plenty of extra wiring coiled up for us to install onto layer. Our final blade will use larger square tubing that sheaths over those tubes and we will bolt through both layers. Still requires blocking and a solid connection to make sure the wall can support the blade.
- upsides - Construction team can close up the wall prior to us installing the final blade. Faster install process.
- downsides - Requires coordination with construction - the placement of those tubes placed through the wall has to be perfect.
Option 2 - the brackets on our blades end with a welded mounting plate, that mounting plate through-bolted into prepared blocking into the wall. That blocking is either double stacked 2x4s mounted to the studs or a bent steal plate mounted to the studs
- upsides - No bare tubes sticking out of the wall waiting for a sign. power can be pulled to the location later. & i believe this is less expensive *but i do not handle pricing*
- downsides - we have to count on construction to actually do their part of providing the blocking at least half of our jobs this is not done when we get there. We need access to the back side of the wall
Option 3 - we mount to cinderblock in lu of blocking. if we can mount through to block or concrete then we can skip the blocking but we do have to watch out for posttentioned slabs.
- upsides - very little coordination, perfect for owners that somehow didn't learn communication skills
- downsides - limited locations, stairwells are typically block, but most of the main construction (in our area) is going to be wood framed, even if there is brick so it's useless for holding heavy signs.
Most places require you to spell out the mounting method when you go to permit this type of sign and many states require signed engineering drawings. We plan everything out in house and contract out the engineering sign off/edits before permitting.
Sometimes we will cover the posts, but they are always there.