When building outdoor bulletin boards for your school, church, community, or homeowners association, these ten simple features will make your message center more useful, project a professional image, and most importantly, provide easy, long-lasting maintenance. .
Larry Kontny, Secretary of the Magnolia Terrace Homeowners Association in Mont Verde, Florida, made the mistake of buying shoddy bulletin boards last year.
“The back of the first bulletin board we bought rotted away,” Kontny said, “and water got in, and of course the water and moisture ruined all the letters.”
Water and humidity are a major concern for people living in this 130-lot community about 20 miles west of Orlando.
“Anyone who has lived in Florida knows about the heavy thunderstorms during the rainy season. This new one that I just installed is much better built and the frame is much stronger than the old one we bought.”
1. Use an anodized aluminum frame that has a silicone sealant and moisture barrier backing.
“The first board we bought had a particle board backing that soaked up water like a strainer,” Kotney said. “The card board warped and got spongy.”
2. Shatter resistant door windows prevent injury and liability. Vandalism or stones kicked from a passing truck can break a cheap window.
Do not use glass, safety glass, or acrylic for the door window. Use a polycarbonate brand such as Lexan or Makrolon SL.
3. Make sure door windows and post surfaces have an UV inhibitor that reduces the destructive effects of sunlight. Some auto parts stores sell clear UV glass tinting films that can be applied to windows.
“The sun’s rays made the closed cabinet heat up like an oven. The south-facing dash faded in months and some of the letters melted and became brittle,” Kotney said. “We’re going to have to replace that one too.”
4. Louvered vent caps should be installed on the sides of the cabinet to dissipate any heat build-up or ambient moisture. Vent covers must be protected to prevent insects such as spiders or wasps from entering the bulletin board cabinet and nesting.
A ventilation grill also prevents condensation from fogging up the door window by preventing a temperature differential.
5. Locking doors ensure access to the posting surface so that publications are official.
“One morning I went out and discovered that some children had rearranged the letters to spell a profane message.” said Thomas Keane, former president of the Limestone Acres homeowners association in Wilmington, Delaware. “The neighborhood association was not amused.”
6. The door frame must have full length piano hinges to support the weight of the door when it is opened. Using just a couple of small hinges will quickly wear out and fatigue the aluminum case frame.
7. The door frame must have a rubber seal to prevent vertical rain from seeping through the gap.
A tight door frame is important especially for residents in coastal areas that experience strong vertical winds.
8. Cabinet must be at least 3-1 / 4 “deep. This room allows for additional letter panels, chalkboards, dry erase boards, or bulletin boards.
These additional types of panels make your community message center very versatile and allow for creativity for the holidays or different occasions.
9. A name heading may be included in the display case or on the front of the sign. A name header provides identity and recognition for outdoor bulletin boards.
10. Make sure the cabinet has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Any problems due to improper materials or assembly will occur within the first year of exposure to the elements.
Kontny says he appreciates his new bulletin board which was provided by a reputable manufacturer free of charge. “I like it, they didn’t have to,” Kontny says of his new bulletin board. “In fact, we will soon replace another one, which has been destroyed by the sun’s rays, and I will get another one just like it because it is easy to maintain.”