Frame dowel: types, sizes, purpose

Modern building materials are actively improved in their performance. Manufacturers provide new products with a wider range of protective properties, and also increase basic technical parameters. Do not lag behind in this regard, and fasteners, in the development of which no small importance is the design performance. An example of a successful fixing device is a frame dowel, which combines both reliability and versatility of use. However, the special design of this hardware still limits the range of its use.

General information about the frame dowel

At its core, this hardware has a rod that resembles a conventional screw or a self-tapping screw in principle. Its task is to tighten and fix two or more components of the structure. But the main difference is the presence of an auxiliary element, which holds the anchor. Frame dowel usually does not require the use of a special industrial tool for installation. More often than not, even specialists are limited to the basic set of tools that make it possible to form a suitable hole in size.

Dowel construction

The construction of a dowel of this type is complicated in different parts. This is the spacer, which goes separately, and the head, and directly the zone of the screw. As for the wedging site, the metal frame anchor interacts with it in such a way that the risk of scrolling is prevented during operation. In addition, this peculiar nozzle protects the wall niche from excessive mechanical damage, providing a delicate but at the same time hard landing.

As for the head, there are different versions of its execution, among which there are two - a flat "eternal" and an enlarged cap. The first modification, as the name suggests, does not involve dismantling, so it can be masked with a layer of plaster. The flattened and smooth head is practically not exposed to the surface of the structure. Otherwise, a frame dowel is used, in which an enlarged head is realized. Such types of hardware are designed taking into account the possibility of unscrewing without the risk of mechanical damage or disruption of the cap. The working part of the screw, in fact, is reminiscent of traditional meto-type cutters, but in this case, much emphasis is placed on the formation of a protective coating - for example, by galvanizing.

Element dimensions

The dowels are supplied in different sizes, which makes it possible to fasten materials with an average thickness of 40 to 170 mm. The length of the screws can be from 70 to 220 mm, while the functional part of the hardware is calculated to be 5-15 mm shorter. The diameter of the spectrum of dimensions is much more modest and varies on average from 8 to 10 mm. From the point of view of durability and strength properties, it is important to take into account the technical parameters of the protective layer, which cover the dowels. The dimensions of the galvanized coating for thickness, for example, can be from 5 to 10 microns. This practically invisible value nevertheless gives a tangible protective effect for the metal during operation.

Material of manufacture

The main screw is usually made of steel. This is a reliable, rigid and at the same time durable material, optimally suited to the requirements of fastening operations. Its only weak point is the susceptibility to corrosive processes, but technologists, as already noted, provide for galvanized and other galvanic coatings, which protect metalware from destruction. Also it is worth paying attention to the material of the spacer head, which is equipped with a frame anchor. The nylon element can be considered as the optimal solution, although quite tough plastic analogs are also found. Moreover, synthetic plastics often make dowel bases. Such hardware on the device quite correspond to group of frame models, except for a material of manufacturing. Such products are used for highly specialized purposes, for example in the device of heat-insulating panels, which do not require rigid and high-strength fixation.

Varieties

First of all it is necessary to point out the relationship of frame models of dowels with facade ones. They have a similar device, but there are differences in the characteristics that determine the scope of application of the elements. Thus, standard frame hardware is calculated for servicing wooden, plastic and various composite materials, the load of which does not exceed 30 kg. In turn, the façade dowel differs in its ability to work with the external cladding. These are panels that perform the tasks of a heat insulator, decorative design and certain protective functions. Inside their classes both frame and facade products differ in the same attributes - the parameters of the slot, the fineness of the hats, the principle of the action of the spacer sleeves, and so on.

Appointment

Frame-type hardware is more oriented not to power loads, but to the implementation of the most profitable structural fasteners. For this reason, they are often used in the installation of window and door apertures, in the production of furniture and fixing the finishing material. In terms of operation, the frame dowel is advantageous in that it causes minor mechanical damage to the substrate into which it is integrated. But the same causes and restrictions of another kind. In particular, the frame fasteners are not suitable for performing the tasks of rigid fixation of massive and heavy structures. Some manufacturers even set restrictions on the use of dowels in works with some materials - usually metal. On the other hand, to provide rigid fasteners, it is possible to replace the front frame model, which is designed for high loads.

How to choose a frame dowel?

Unlike standard screws and standard dowels, this fastener assumes a special calculation of the compliance of a specific size to the plant's tasks. Each parameter has a value. For example, in severe operating conditions outside it is necessary to provide a thick protective coating. If you plan to install with a smooth surface, then you should choose a metal frame dowel with a flat head. And, of course, it is necessary to select an element from the point of view of dimensional parameters - the characteristics of length and width, which are suitable for the format of the target building material, are estimated.

Installation Recommendations

First of all, before cleaning the dowel, the working surface is cleaned. Next, you need to choose the way in which the hole will be realized. Usually for such needs electric screwdrivers with suitable nozzles are used. In this part, you should not evaluate the diameter of a particular screw, but the size of its spacer head, which will hold the rod in the created niche. Also, depending on operational requirements, there may be a need for hiding the cap. To do this, an additional chamfer is formed, which extends the output part of the hole for integrating the head. By the way, if you install a frame anchor for hollow materials, you can do with a hand tool, which delicately and with greater accuracy will allow you to prepare a hole for the hardware. Next, the spacer is installed, followed by the tightening of the fastener.

Conclusion

In the work with traditional dowels, assembly tasks are easier to solve. As a rule, these are multifunctional fasteners, characterized by simple construction and high-strength rods. To handle them, sometimes powerful power equipment is required, but in the process of exploitation the risk of destruction of the created design is minimized. The façade dowel is also close to these possibilities, the device of which is less focused on fixing heavy panel materials, but still there are no equalities in the quality of its structural and complex installation. Then follows the frame fasteners of a group of dowels, designed for more delicate and precise operations. With the help of such a clamp it is possible to realize an accurate installation of the door box or to perform a smooth installation of heat-insulating panels. If the dowel itself is made of high-quality steel alloy, has a stable zinc coating and a reliable spacer, then you will not have to worry about the durability of the element.