KC BANNER

FAQ’S

 

 

1)  What is the difference between the Windspill Deluxe and Windspill JR brackets and

       which one should I buy?

 

A:  The Deluxe bracket is designed for poles with 5” or greater in diameter or for

       square/rectangle shaped poles.  The JR is designed for small diameter poles or

       poles that are fluted.  The JR base plate and arm casting are smaller than the

       Deluxe even though they are both equally strong in their application.  If you have

       poles that are smaller than 5” in diameter or are fluted, the Windspill JR bracket

       is your best choice.

 

2)  What is the difference between adjustable and fixed brackets and which one

      should I buy?

 

A:  The adjustable bracket, either Windspill Deluxe or Windspill JR, is designed

       for pole banner projects that will have banner change-outs.  The Adjustable

       bracket has a base plate that allows easy removal of the bracket arm to remove and

       install banners.  For many projects with seasonal banners that are changed out

       throughout the year, the adjustable bracket saves time and money.  For projects

       that have only one banner or a short-term banner to be installed, the fixed bracket

       is a good choice.  It consists of the arms only without the base plate and are banded

       to the pole. 

 

3)  How long will the brackets last? 

 

A:  The Windspill brackets are guaranteed for 5 years against defects in workmanship

      and materials from date of purchase with banners no longer and 96”.  Even though

      the warranty is for 5 years, these brackets can last for 15 years or longer.  We have

      several customers that have had their Windspill brackets up for this long and longer.

 

4)  Can the brackets withstand high winds?

 

A:  Yes.  Wind tunnels tests have shown that in 90 mph winds, the brackets will dump

       25% of the winds and typical winds are 0-40 mph.  Several customers have bought

       Windspill brackets for just this reason.

 

5)  What should I be looking for in a good quality bracket?

 

A:  The brackets should be made of aluminum alloy and have a fiberglass arm that are

       canted meaning the top arm should slight angle upward and the bottom arm should

       angle slightly downward.  The canting allows the banner to be as taut against the

       pole side as the street side and makes the banner last longer by not allowing it to

       flap in the wind.  The fiberglass arm should bolt into the base plate and not pinned.

 

 

      This stops the arm from rocking in the base plate and thus stops the arm and          

      banner from breaking down and the banner from flapping by eliminating unwanted

      movement.  The arms should also be glued into its aluminum casting versus screwed

      or pinned for the same reasons.

 

6)  Are the brackets easy to install?

 

A:  Yes they are easily installed and have detailed instructions included.  We are also

       available through our toll free number, 877-681-8191, to walk you through any

       steps in the process.  Remember, it is important to have a good installer that will

       properly follow the instructions.

 

7)  You say you recommend using stainless steel banding and buckles instead of

      the screw-gear bands.  Why?

 

A:  The stainless steel banding and buckles tightened with a banding tool is the strongest

       installation.  It eliminates any movement of the bracket and banner on the pole

       keeping your banner project looking good without constant maintenance.  Screw-            

       gear bands are not strong and they allow easy movement of the bracket

       and banner on the pole.  This makes a banner project look sloppy with banners

       being misaligned and sagging on the pole.  Because of this, the project then takes

       constant maintenance translating into extra time and money spent.  The screw-gear

       bands are only recommended for short-term (a few days), one-time applications.

 

Well designed banner:

Simply stated a well designed banner is one that is easily understood from a distance. Limiting and enlarging the print will make it easier to understand. Graphics should be fairly simple and be able to be seen from thirty to fifty feet not just at a drawing table. The construction and material to be used to make a banner vary depending on your needs and should be discussed on a more personal basis. We are available to discuss artwork and fabric choice any time.

How to find a qualified installer:

Our first investment in our business was the rental of a pull-behind lift. It got the job done but was slow, took up a lot of room on the road and absolutely wore me out. The next job I went all the way and rented a large bucket truck. It was a two ton truck with a fifty foot lift. It was overkill, expensive and cumbersome, but it got the job done. It became obvious quickly that if I wanted to be proficient in this business, I needed my own truck. This purchase not only allowed me to make money, but it saved valuable time. Which saved my customers money in turn.

You could take your chances like the first group that hired me. But you might not get as lucky as they were. Look in the Yellow Pages under sign erectors and hangers or under banners. If they say they can do your job check their references and, if possible, look at some of their work.

Do not hire anyone who is not insured. Ask them to furnish you a copy of their policy with you listed as additional insured if you give them the job. Insist they double band all brackets and have them put it in writing for future reference, if needed.

Finally, be sure they intend to use a lift, not a ladder.

Banner mounting hardware:

The purpose for banner hardware is to have some way to attach a banner to a pole. In order for this job to be done so the banner looks its best and lasts, it needs to be taut across the entire surface of the banner. A loose banner will bat in the wind which looks sloppy and shortens the life of the banner considerably.

What you should look for in banner hardware is adjustability, stability, versatility and safety. To accomplish a properly installed banner you need an adjustable base plate banded to the pole with a permanent 3/4" banding going around the pole twice at every connection. The use of screw gear or quick release banding, like a radiator hose clamp, is never acceptable for a permanent installation unless constant inspection, tightening and perpetual maintenance is performed. Our banner arms are canted and made of fiberglass so that when you adjust the arm the fiberglass will bend to tighten the banner street side and also to dump wind on a windy day.

How long do you feel banners should last? I have seen entire banner systems blow down in a few days, but I am here to tell you that if all things are handled properly you will be tired of your banners before they wear out. There are several systems we put up eight years ago that still look good today and have never been changed! The following tips and hints will be a good start on your banner program. Please contact us for more information.