Backer panels conceal a channel letter’s raceway mount, a metal box which contains all electrical components and wiring for lighting. Landlords often require this mount as it reduces wall penetrations while matching their building facade.
Channel letters come in various styles, from front lighting and halo-lit signs to faces, trims, returns and backs that you can choose from.
Backer Mount
Backer panels (also referred to as backer plates or backing boards) are flat structures placed behind sign letters like picture frames, creating the ultimate contrast with the building facade and improving sign appearance simultaneously. Usually painted a color that enhances both, these panels often come painted in vibrant hues to maximize both their visual impact and their integration into its environment.
Backer panels are frequently seen with channel letter signs, though they can also be specified for use with any type of sign. When designing backer panels it’s important to remember not to create glossy surfaces as this would create a mirror image of the backside of sign letters that reduce day/night effectiveness of signs.
Backer panels also serve to conceal raceway mounts, the boxes which house electrical components and wiring of signs. While you could try painting them to blend into their environment with paint, raceway mounts still detract from a sign’s overall appearance; by mounting it to a backer panel this issue can be solved.
An added advantage of installing a backer plate is reducing the time required for sign projects, since cutting and painting panels is much quicker than creating them from scratch. This can be particularly useful when clients must open by certain dates; additionally, cutting from four-by-eight foot aluminum sheets may further lower costs associated with their project.
Raceway Mount
Raceway mounts are metal “boxes” designed to house electrical wiring and power supplies for channel letter signs. Once attached to building facades or sign bands, these raceways often come painted to match them so as not to detract from their sign’s design or detract from it visually. Property management companies and landlords prefer this approach as it reduces holes in facades.
Although this method involves more upfront expenses, it can significantly lower maintenance expenses in the long run. Raceway or wireway mounts enable a more structured sign with fewer components to wear out; they also help minimize issues when replacing some or all of its electrical components later.
Raceway and wireway mounts also boast the advantage of being easier to service than flush mounted channel letters, since only the top of the raceway or wireway needs to be taken off to access components compared with having to dismantle and work around an entire sign from its wall position.
Raceway and wireway mounts both provide an option of halo illumination that can more effectively capture customer attention than standard channel letters alone. This is accomplished using LED or neon lights on returns (the edges) rather than lighting only the faces, producing an alluring glow around each letter and drawing more eyeballs towards your display.
No matter which mounting method is employed, it is crucial that installers possess experience installing and working with channel letters. This will ensure the sign is installed properly and illuminates brightly for many years to come. Furthermore, it is advisable to consult the property manager or lease requirements carefully as certain buildings have specific guidelines regarding signage placement – for instance a maximum protrusion distance or restrictions that need to be considered when placing signage – this information can usually be found either in a lease agreement or letter from the property owner and can help ensure installation does not violate any regulations or rules.
Face Mount
Face mounting is a modern method for showcasing images that accentuates their luminescence, particularly for high-gloss photographic or print media. Instead of the more conventional frames, an image is adhered directly to clear acrylic (commonly known as plexiglass) using an optically clear mounting adhesive – leaving behind stunning results! Often diamond polished edges of plexiglass add depth and density to work displayed face mounting style.
Physical material selection for face mounts on plexiglass can have a major impact on its final look and longevity, so choosing photo paper, acrylic sheeting, mounting adhesive, backing system and hanging system with care is critical to producing successful works of art.
Acrylic face-mounting adds a dramatic dimension to any print or photograph, turning it into an eye-catching work of art. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills needed for this process, as it requires knowledge of printing and framing processes as well as technical RL skills – not forgetting a clean environment and approved materials!
Giclee printed prints mounted to plexiglass panels via face mounting are known as Float mounts. A double-sided clear adhesive is applied to the back of each printed work and then attached with 3mm Sintra or aluminum composite material as protection backer, creating rigidity to add rigidity while adhering the French cleat hanging system that gives these mounted works their unique off-the-wall appearance.
Face mounting adhesives are usually transparent solvent-base acrylics; one popular example being Drytac’s Facemount FR which features UV stabiliser to prevent yellowing of the adhesive over time and designed for extended indoor display. Neschen’s Optimum Museum Acrylic may be another good option, featuring anti-reflective properties as well as being anti-abrasion resistant and blocking 99.99 percent of UV light – an excellent choice when mounting fine art and photographs that will be face mounted onto Plexiglass.
Backer Panel
Backer boards or backing plates, also referred to as backer panels, are integral components of channel letter signs that serve multiple functions. It may be used to conceal raceway mounts that contain electrical components for channel letter sets; or increase their overall conspicuity and visibility.
Backer panels come in all sorts of types and sizes, enabling you to custom design them to meet the specifications of a channel letter installation. Gypsum backer board is often the go-to material due to its moisture resistant qualities – ideal for humid environments.
Insulating foam board can serve as the perfect substrate for tile or stone installations in wet environments such as showers and tub surrounds, protecting it from mold and rot growth while filling any voids and providing structural support in construction projects. It may even be covered with waterproof membrane for extra protection in these wet conditions.
Backer boards are lightweight and easy to handle. Cut with basic tools such as a utility knife or circular saw, thicker materials should be secured to a workbench or table to ensure stable cutting conditions while making cleaner cuts with power tools by scoring multiple spots before cutting through it with power tools.
Backer boards should be painted in colors that complement and enhance the sign appearance, creating an eye-catching contrast against building facade backgrounds. By adding backer panels to channel letter sets, backer boards can greatly increase visibility and overall conspicuity of signs; especially useful with reverse lit and halo letters.
Installing a backer panel requires closely following the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Furthermore, alkali-resistant fiberglass tape should be used on seams and joints when fastening to the backer board and complying with any movement joint requirements at changes in plane.