Secured for Life: A Guide to Mounting Your Plaque
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You’ve chosen the perfect material and designed a beautiful tribute—now it’s time to ensure it stays securely in place for years to come. Whether you are mounting to a timber post, a brick wall, or a garden stone, using the right hardware is the "secret sauce" to a professional-looking installation.
At Custom Plaques, we focus on providing the plaques, but we want to make sure you have the right tools to finish the job. Here is everything you need to know about mounting hardware and where to find it.
1. Choosing Your Hardware Based on Material
Just like the plaque itself, your screws and fixings need to handle the environment.
For 316 Stainless Steel Plaques: Always use 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel screws. Mixing metals (like using galvanised screws with a stainless plaque) can cause a chemical reaction called galvanic corrosion, which leads to unsightly rust streaks.
For Brass Plaques: Solid brass screws are the traditional choice and look fantastic. Keep in mind that like the plaque, the screw heads will develop a patina over time.
For Aluminium & ABS Plastic: Stainless steel screws (304 or 316 grade) are the best all-rounders here. They provide a clean, silver look that complements the modern finish of these materials.
2. Mounting Methods: Flush vs. Standoffs
How do you want the plaque to sit against the surface?
The Flush Mount (Classic): The plaque sits directly against the wood or stone. This is the most common method and is very secure.
The Standoff (Modern): "Standoffs" are small barrels that sit behind the plaque, lifting it about 15–20mm off the wall. This creates a beautiful floating effect and adds a layer of "depth" to the memorial. It’s a very popular look for modern offices or contemporary garden walls.
3. Where to Buy Your Hardware
While we plan to offer curated hardware kits in the future, you can find everything you need at your local hardware store today.
If you are in Australia, a quick trip to "The Big Green Shed" (Bunnings Warehouse) or a local specialty fastener shop will get you sorted. Look for these specific items:
Timber Applications: Look for "316 Stainless Steel Decking Screws" or "Countersunk Wood Screws."
Masonry (Brick/Stone): You will need "Green Wall Plugs" (or spaghetti) and a masonry drill bit.
The "Pro" Look: Check the cabinet hardware or signage aisle for "Signage Standoffs" or "Decorative Screw Caps" to hide the screw heads for a sleek finish.
Pro Installation Tips
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Level Twice, Drill Once: Use a spirit level (or a level app on your phone) to ensure your plaque isn't crooked. Tape the plaque to the wall with painter's tape first to see how it looks.
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Pilot Holes are Essential: Especially with timber! Drilling a small "pilot hole" first prevents the wood from splitting and ensures your screw goes in perfectly straight.
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Don’t Overtighten: If you are using ABS Plastic or Aluminium, tighten the screws until they are snug. Overtightening can cause the material to slightly cup or distort.
Summary Checklist
| Surface | Recommended Hardware | Tool Needed |
| Timber Post | 316 Stainless Wood Screws | Power Drill + Wood Bit |
| Brick/Concrete | Wall Plugs + Stainless Screws | Hammer Drill + Masonry Bit |
| Stone/Granite | Construction Adhesive + Hidden Studs | 2-Part Epoxy |
| Indoor Drywall | Hollow Wall Anchors (Gyp-rock anchors) | Screwdriver |
Need a hand deciding which mounting style suits your plaque? Reach out to the team at Custom Plaques—we’ve seen it all and are happy to point you in the right direction!