Precise Panel Fasteners
The Standard Range from Fastmount is a versatile solution for projects requiring precise panel placements without exposed fasteners.
Often used for ceilings or accent walls or to continue the finishes of adjacent cabinetry across a room, veneered-panel work can be a time-consuming detail. It usually requires tight, consistent reveals between large and heavy parts, all mounted without visible fasteners.
I recently used the Standard Range of panel fasteners from Fastmount Panel Systems on a residential project and was impressed with their ease and versatility. On previous projects, I’ve cycled through a lot of mounting options with varying success. Many mounting systems don’t allow for adjustment, are difficult to remove, or rely on gravity and can only be used with vertical panels. Plus, adhesives require temporary bracing until they set, and shop-made or commercially available French-cleat systems need extra spacing to facilitate placement.
At the heart of the Fastmount Standard Range are three basic components: male and female parts mounted to the panel and substrate respectively, and a set of drill-compatible install tools. (You can get by without the pricey install kit to start, but it’s nice to have these dedicated tools if you are doing more than the occasional few panels.) With these components, Fastmount offers a simple process to securely hang removable horizontal and vertical panels of nearly any size, all done without relying on transferring precise measurements for the connections.
The general installation process is straightforward. After laying out your mounting pattern on a structural substrate (framing, plywood panels, masonry, etc.), drill for and set the self-tapping female clips into place. Insert the centerpoint markers into the female clips, align the panel in its finished position, and tap on its face to transfer the centerpoint locations to the back of the panel. For the last step, drill out these marked locations on the panel, set the self-tapping male clips, and mount the panel. After placement, the panels are easily removable and can be adjusted for planar alignment by varying the depth of the threaded female clips.
With the install kit ($375) and a per-part cost just below $3 (male $1.36; female $1.22), this is an expensive system but for me, the superior results and labor savings justify the cost.
Photos courtesy of the manufacturer except where noted.
RELATED STORIES
