The Benefits of the Suspended Mounting System
The Benefits of
the Suspended Mounting System
There are a variety of methods that can be used in order to mount an industrial curtain track system, each made to fit a different type of ceiling or building structure. The most popular option is a suspended mounting system. Whether you choose to use chain, cable, threaded rod, slotted angle, or strut to suspend your industrial track system, this method of mounting has many benefits and provides a good deal of flexibility.
Suspended mounting of an industrial curtain wall track system is typically chosen out of necessity. Some of the most common scenarios that would necessitate this type of mounting are:
1. If your ceiling is sloped.
It is essential that your track system be mounted level. If the track is mounted on a slope, then the rollers inside of the track will consistently run down the track to its lowest point. This will not only be highly annoying, but will also impede your industrial curtain wall from staying in place and doing the job that you need it to do. Therefore, if your ceiling is pitched, the best way to mount an industrial track system will be to suspend the whole track down to the lowest point of pitch, so that it can run level.
2. If you have obstructions that you’d like your track to sit underneath.
Industrial ceilings very commonly have obstructions in them, such as HVAC ducts, electrical conduit, and bisecting trusses. For a retractable industrial curtain wall to move effectively, the tracking system should always sit below the lowest obstruction in its path. A suspended mounting system will be a great asset in this scenario.
3. If you have a drop ceiling.
Drop ceilings, or acoustic tile ceilings, are very common in the workplace. They typically have a small profile aluminum grid that holds 2’ x 4’ mineral fiber acoustic tiles into place. These drop ceilings are typically suspended with light weight wire from a more substantial ceiling structure above.
When running an industrial curtain track system below a drop ceiling, it is not advisable to mount it directly to the drop ceiling. The drop ceiling and its support are typically not strong enough to hold the industrial curtain wall track system. In this case, suspended mounting options would be recommended to support the track system from a structure located above the drop ceiling.
Even if none of the above situations apply, you may still choose to use a suspended mounting system for your industrial curtain track. Once you are committed to this, you will have several options for suspension materials.
Your first option includes chain and cable. These two options are often chosen because consumers believe that they are cost effective, however that is not typically the case.
There are many types of chain and wire cable- ranging in quality and price. Since the entirety of the industrial curtain wall and track will hang from these, it is best to choose a fairly durable and high quality material. Often times, depending on the footage of chain or cable needed, these materials can turn out to be more costly than some other suspension alternatives. Additionally, since chain and cable are not rigid members, they are prone to allowing your industrial track system to swing unless they are firmly anchored into a wall or other building structure.
The second, and most popular, option for suspension is to use threaded rod. This is a very common building material which boasts high strength and low cost. Often times, using threaded rod provides a less expensive option than using chain. Additionally, threaded rod is a rigid material and is far less prone to allowing your industrial track system to sway.
Finally, slotted angle and strut can also be used to suspend your track system. These materials are typically recommended when your track must be suspended more than 7 feet and/or if your facility has issues such as wind that may stress the suspension of the track system. Slotted angle and strut are very rigid structural members, which helps cut down on the track system swaying. Also, these materials have 1”-2” wide flat surfaces on them, so they allow for cross bracing and additional supports to bolster and reinforce the suspended track.
