fabricated letters from the Rivermeade product range fabricated letters Fabricated lettering whether in metal or acrylic is considered to be a signmaking standard specified by sign designers, architects and end-users everywhere. The fabricated letter form can convey just the right image for most organisations whether in illuminated or non illuminated form. Rivermeade makes the best. aWe are happy to work in all materials — aluminium, brass, gilding metal, stainless steel, zintec and acrylic. We carry ample stocks of all these materials. We offer all the build specifications from fabricated flat face to rim and return, rimless, bevels and bezels in a huge range of sizes from as small as 75mm (in some materials) to over 2,500mm. You also have a choice of illumination method (see separate section) using neon or LED. Our paint shop can finish in any BS or RAL colour or match any PMS colour in either a hard wearing stove enamelled finish or architectural quality powder coating. Whatever your requirement we can advise on the best combination of materials, build, illumination and finish. 1. Fabricated flat face polished stainless steel letter. 2. Rimless construction halo illuminated using Chainlight. 3. Rim and return construction. 4. Fabricated metal letter with inverted bevel and acrylic face. 1. 2. 3. 4. Materials Aluminium can be used for both internal and external applications. Light in weight (less than half the weight of stainless steel) aluminium is particularly suitable for larger letters where ease of handling may be important to facilitate fixing. Less robust than steel, aluminium must be finished to a particularly high standard — a good stoved finish or powder coat is essential to prevent oxidisation. Stainless steel is perhaps the most versatile and robust of all lettering materials. It is impervious to most weather conditions and if cleaned regularly will last for many years. It can be ordered as mirror polished, satin grained or in stove enamelled finishes. Acrylic ICI Perspex is used as the industry standard and can be fabricated in either 3 or 5mm thicknesses to suit all sizes. However, care should be exercised when specifying illuminated colours to avoid those with poor light transmission characteristics. Heat expansion can also cause problems. If in any doubt, contact our commercial office for advice. Construction methods The photographs show the most popular construction methods for fabricated letters.Also available but not illustrated are:- acrylic beaded edge, acrylic flat face and open face trough lettering.All our fabricated letters are constructed with 20swg thick returns. Letter faces, where applicable, are cut from either 20, 18 or 16swg thick material, dependant upon the letter size and stroke width. Backtrays and fixing methods Full metal backtrays are used to house Letterbrite or neon for face illuminated letters. The backtray is fabricated from the same material as the letter face and has 25mm deep returns. It is fitted to the fabricated letter by discreet button head fixings. Backtrays are predrilled for wall fixing. Foamex backtrays are cut from 10mm thick material and are a cheaper lightweight alternative to full metal backtrays.They are fitted by means of screws through the letter return. Foamex backtrays are also drilled for wall fixing. Clear acrylic backtrays are supplied with halo illuminated letters. Generally cut from 5mm thick material the backplates are fitted to the fabricated letter by means of loose brackets. They are drilled to accept screw fixings and 35mm long spacers. Loose half brackets are used for fitting letters to internal wall surfaces.As the loose brackets are fitted to the substrate by means of discretely positioned woodscrews the letters can easily be removed when redecoration takes place. Soldered half brackets are used on letters when a more permanent method of fixing is required. Brass locators can be fitted to the half brackets when the letter is required to stand off the wall surface (approximately 15mm). Stud fixings will allow the letter to be flush fitted to the wall surface. Full bridges span the full width of the letter stroke and are fitted to larger letters to ensure that the letter remains rigid. Brass locator or stud fixings can be fitted to the reverse of each letter (refer to soldered half brackets above). Paint finishes Powder coating is an extremely durable long lasting architectural quality finish.Applied by electrostatic charge a powder coated finish is good for a 7-10 year lifespan.Available in most BS or RAL colours as standard. Stove enamelling is paint applied wet and then baked to approximately 150°C to provide a tough durable finish which should last 4-7 years depending on site conditions. If you are unsure which finish to specify please ask our commercial office. Rivermeade Signs PO Box 155 Roslin Road The Caledonian Suite Gateshead London W3 8BW St. Andrew House Tyne & Wear NE11 9WE T 020 8896 6900 141 West Nile Street T 0191 460 4646 F 020 8752 1691 Glasgow G1 2RN F 0191 460 1121 [email protected] T 0141 333 6662 [email protected] www.rivermeade.com F 0141 333 1116 [email protected]