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FAQs

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your most common questions and get the help you need quickly.

Similar to the way a French Cleats works, Z Clips allow you to install items without screwing into the face of the object being hung. Z Clips interlock with each other, securing the installation of panels, signs, cabinets or another object to a wall or surface, while keeping the Z Clip hidden. Available in aluminium or stainless-steel, Monarch Z Clips are extremely strong and durable, providing easy installation and removal.

We cannot provide structural recommendations. That said, Monarch Z Clips are extruded from 6063-T6 aluminum. By itself, Monarch Z Clips will withstand thousands of pounds of stress, both compressive and tensile. We suggest that your concern should not be with the structural integrity of the clip, but with integrity of the substrate you are screwing into and the hardware you are using.

We tested Z Clip strength ourselves at our own facility, mounting two MF625 38,1 mm Z Clips to two pine 50,8 mm x 101,6 mm boards with four #8 x 19,05 mm pan head screws, and connected them. We then put a load on the assembly trying to break the connection. It failed at 215,46 kg, with the screws pulling out of the wood and no visible damage to the Z Clips.

Not satisfied with our ad hoc test, we engaged Qualtim, Inc., a third party independent laboratory, to perform testing on the clips. In all three of Qualtim’s tests, they concluded that Monarch Z Clips were not the failure point in the assembly.

Click here to review the methodology and results for those tests in detail.

To increase the strength of the system for overweight items, you need to increase the number of fasteners (screws). On the panel side, this means decreasing the spacing between the Monarch Z Clips. On the wall side, it can mean using multiple screws at each stud or installing a piece of plywood blocking in front of the wall and securing the continuous length with fasteners every 203,2 mm or 101,6 mm, instead of 406,4 mm or 609,6 mm.

Wall panels, acoustic panels, elevator panels, signage, artworks, etc. Monarch Z clips are so versatile that the possibilities are limitless. Our customers tell us they also use them for stone.

While Monarch Z Clips are strong, using them to hang ceiling panels is not recommended. Due to the French cleat-like interlocking engagement of our Z Clip products, they tend to be easily removed, which creates a serious safety hazard for a ceiling installations. Additionally, we engineered our Z Clips for strength in a vertical wall installation – using them horizontally to hang ceiling panels puts all tensile pressure in a different direction than the clips were designed for, which not only compromises the strength of the clips but puts a great deal of weight on the screw or adhesive fastener.

No. You can buy as little as a bag of 20 Monarch Z Clips or just 1 continuous length of 1828,8 mm or 3657,6 mm.

For most installations, there is very little tangible difference. The MF375 clip has a shorter lift-off of 9,53 mm vs. 15,88 mm for the MF625 clips. What this means is that if you want to have a 12,7 mm reveal between the top of the panel and the ceiling, you would need to select the MF375 clip, which would give you 3,18 mm to mount the panel. Some of our customers also tell us that the longer length of engagement in the MF625 clip helps to reduce the vibration, particularly in acoustic panel installations.

We do not make structural recommendations. Our customers tell us that for a 1219,2 mm x 2438,4 mm 19,05 mm MDF Veneered Panel they will run four continuous lengths along the walls and mount 4 rows of 4 Monarch clips on the panel side to align with the continuous lengths.

Yes. The fluting in the clip is designed to increase the surface area for the adhesive to grab the clip. Because aluminium oxidizes, you should clean the aluminium with an abrasive cleaner before applying the adhesive to allow for the strongest hold. You will need to know the material of the Monarch Z Clip (aluminium), the item to be hung, and the environmental conditions. For more information, please reach out to +31 548659049.

Yes. We will custom cut the Monarch Z Clips or other aluminum extrusion to any length you specify.

This is easily solved by putting a dab of silicone or PL400 in the clip engagement area. The silicone or PL400 provides a strong, flexible hold.

We have a standard recycled content letter we can provide showing that more than 75% of the aluminum content consists of industrial or post consumer scrap. Our Monarch Z Clips are 100% recyclable aluminum.

A #8 pan head screw. We sell #8 Pan Phillips Black Oxide Screws in lengths of 12,7 mm, 15,88 mm, and 19,05 mm. There is 3,18 mm clearance for the head of the screw when the clips are engaged and the specified height of a #8 pan head screw is 2,44 mm. A few times per year customers will contact us not understanding why the #8 screws they bought on the Internet will not fit with the Monarch Z Clips and on all occasions this has been because the screws they purchased were cheap imports and outside of the specifications for a #8 screw. You can test this yourself by simply measuring the head of the screw with a Vernier Caliper.

We propose two solutions to installing standoffs in drywall (or gypsum). The first involves using a plate to ensure a perfect installation and strength in load bearing. The second utilizes common drywall anchors or toggle bolts. For a full explanation, please click here.

Yes, upon request.

Yes.

Generally, if you are installing a panel that is 19,05 mm thick with a 12,7 mm reveal, it will be very difficult to see anything except dark space between the panels. In situations where it is critical that the wall mounted length not be seen, some customers tell us they will spray paint the exposed z-clip black at the point of the reveals.

Our customers use our Monarch Z Clips to mount picture frames all of the time. The important thing to keep in mind when mounting a picture frame that is 4 separate pieces glued together is to make sure the Z Clips are mounted on the side panels of the frames to prevent the corners of the frame from coming un-glued.

Yes. Most customers choose our MF625 Monarch Z Clip because of its longer length of engagement and shorter projection from the wall. Most customers will run 2 continuous lengths along the wall 50,8 mm to 101,6 mm inside the ends of the headboard and mount the Monarch Z Clips every 304,8 mm on the back of the headboard.

Stock items ship same day for orders received before our shipping deadlines.

Yes, customers do this all of the time. You can hang them like you would a wall panel, but be sure to apply a dab of silicone or PL400 to the engaged area to prevent the Monarch clips from becoming disengaged.

You can use our Z Clip Selector Tool to ensure you get the right Z Clip for the job.

We do not manufacture or sell panels for interior or exterior use. We are a manufacturer of the components needed to hang, capture, or display the panels you want to use. If you need assistance or referrals we would be happy to do so based on your location and/or the location of your specific project, please email us at europe@monarchmetal.eu.

Our traditional Easy Panel System allows for installation of 9,53 mm panels and 19,05 mm panels. We have recently introduced our new adapter clip, which allows you to hang 9,53 mm panels or 12,7 mm panels in our 19,05 mm Easy Panel System.

Our products are made in the USA and orders can be shiped from the Netherlands.

Monarch Metal Z Clips

This video demonstrates how the Monarch Z Clips work and answers many frequently asked questions about this versatile clip-and-rail hanging system.