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rb
Joined: 27 Dec 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Saskatoon, Sk. Canada
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 Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 10:25 am Post subject: Hanging Heavy Mosaics |
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I create mosaics, not your run of the mill broken plate mosaics. Primarily floor and kitchen back splashes, I am now being asked by clients for mosaic mirrors. As any one who knows me knows these will probably be colossal and along with that comes weight. Intentions are to construct each mosaic of granite, marble, jade, stainless steel and mirror with an estimated size of 7 - 10 feet tall with widths of 3 - 6 feet and backed with 3/4" plywood. I'm planning on using a twin bracket system to mount to the wall (hopfully hitting two studs). One piece is glued and screwed to the plywood backing the other to the wall. My calculations put these mosaic mirrors between 100 and 175 lbs. In the event I can't zero in on a stud, is there a calculation for the amount of weight a gyprock or plasterboard wall ancor will hold. I've checked with stores "trial and error"
I don't think so.... If any one has info - it would GREATLY be appreciated
Arbie
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Creating the difference between ordinary and extraordianry... |
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RWL
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 399
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 5:33 am Post subject: |
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Personally, I would not rely just on the horizontal [perpendicular] attachment into the wall. I would try to devise some sort of "seat" or "ledge" that would be fitted below the panels [out of sight] which will take the vertical [dead load] of the panels.
Granted such seats would be attached horizontally into the wall, but the vertical panels will tend to rotate off or pull away from the wall. By having the seats, you literally set the panels on them which reduces the tendency to rotate.
In any event, ther anchorage must be rather hefty to ensure that the valuable panels are not allowed to drop, rotate or otherwise fall off the wall. Most anchors, be they screws, lag bolts, toggle bolts, etc. come with some information about how much weight they will hold. This may be a little beyond them but a good hardware store coudl provde some insight in this regard. |
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Donald
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 493
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 8:08 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | In the event I can't zero in on a stud, is there a calculation for the amount of weight a gyprock or plasterboard wall ancor will hold. |
Its called a stud finder and the calculation for a good one is approximately $15??? I've seen book shelves rip off the wall due to weaknoanchorpointloads trying to be held up with paper and gyp backing only.
So find the stud and anchor to it with proper anchorage and quit trying to devise a steelangleplateledge to hold the bottom...the vanity top will do that if the miffor is in fact on top of the backsplash. |
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1712
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't think rb was referring to these mirror panels as resting on (earlier) backsplashs -- will they rest on the floor, rb? A strong Z-clip/cleat system, either proprietory or fabricated, aluminum, steel and/or lapped and glued 9- ply, will do the job, and all fasteners should engage wall studs. If (in this case) only two studs are available, the (wall) cleat should have two or more fasteners into EACH stud. It seems likely that even your narrowest panel (3') will "pick up" three normally-spaced studs. Right?
SDR |
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1712
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject: the trick |
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| PS -- The trick with all such cleats (if you haven't 'played' with them before) is to assure that they 'mate' perfectly: both surfaces have to be perfectly co-planar (flat, or of equal radius, no?). So shimming, etc, are the order of the day! Enjoy. |
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JWmHarmon
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 112
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 3:46 pm Post subject: Liability for wall mounted mosaics |
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10 feet tall - 175 pounds (about three meters and 80 kilograms)
Children have been killed by falling stoves (the door acts as a lever that tips the stove over on top of the child), falling TV sets, and other falling objects. Stoves require a brace to prevent tipping. TV sets should be anchored so that they can not be pulled over. Consider the liability of installing these large mosaics.
You must make absolutely certain that objects of this size are securely fastened to the wall FRAMING and not to the drywall. Typical drywall is not structurally adequate for supporting this type of load. If you can't find adequate framing, you must not install your mosaics. A child's life may depend on adequate anchoring.
You might want to consider designing a frame for your mosaics that allows you to provide adequate support. This could even include mounting a steel bar to the wall and mounting the mosaic frame to that steel bar.
Whatever you do, it must be secure, even in an earthquake. While on that subject, please note that all - I repeat - ALL - cabinets should include wall anchors to prevent tipping over, not only from earthquakes, but from small (or large) children hanging on opened cabinet doors. |
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Harv
Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:51 am Post subject: Drywall Fastener calculations |
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If you need to know how much different drywall fasteners will support, try
www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/drywall fastenerstrengths.htm. They have a good discussion of this subject with both tension and hear strenghts for several sizes and types of fasteners |
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1712
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:44 am Post subject: To reiterate : |
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To reiterate points made above: A project of the scale and weight described MUST be anchored to the wall structure, not merely to sheetrock (although the wallboard fastener information cited would be useful for the hanging of smaller artworks, etc, and the link is appreciated). In addition to wood studs, steel studs formed from sheet metal of differing guages are increasingly used. The lighter guage studs are easily pierced by sharp-pointed sheetrock screws (Grabbers, etc) while the heavier ones require drill-point screws or even pilot-drilling. For heavy loads in the lighter studs, I would recommend fasteners that expand behind the surface when tightened. Again, if the weight of the object can be borne by ledgers or by resting on the floor, then the fasteners are not exposed to shear loading and are only working to keep the piece from pulling away from the wall; this would be the more desirable circumstance.
SDR |
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Arjanito
Joined: 02 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:46 am Post subject: |
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First of all if you make a mosaic mirror DO NOT USE CEMENT.
We use a special silicon. It reduces the weight of the mosaic. Easy and simpel... |
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