Z Clip, Wall Panels, Acoustic Panels

A Z-Clip performs like a wood French Cleat made for hanging objects on a wall, but is made of aluminum. French cleats were traditionally made of interlocking hardwood wedges and are used in carpentry to secure a cabinet, mirror, artwork, wall panel or other objects to a wall or vertical surface, while still allowing for easy removal.

Z-Clips are used in the same way a French Cleat is used. They are also commonly called Z rails, Z bars, Z hangers, wall panel clips and panel rails, hanging clips, hanging bars, hanger rails and hanging cleats. Or, in our case, the Eagle-Clip Z-Clip. No matter which term you use, all aluminum Z-Clips work the same way: One metal cleat, shaped like a Z with a 45-degree angle on one end, attaches to the wall. A second Z-Clip, the same shape but upside down, attaches to the back of the item being mounted. The two cleats slide over and into one another, allowing the Z-Clips to interlock. That’s it! Gravity takes care of the rest. For some applications, like hanging heavy wall panels or cabinets, we recommend using a second or third set of Z-Clips.

Z-Clips are the solution for a wide range of applications, but most often you find them spec’d by wall panel companies, commercial architects, general contractors, builders, or Architectural Millwork companies. Because you can’t count on wall studs being located exactly where they’re needed to hang large and heavy objects, Z-Clips are perfect for mounting cabinets, architectural wall panels, elevator wall panels, display boards, whiteboards, LED fabric frames, signs, acoustical panels and art. Many Architectural Millwork designers and contractors specify Eagle Z-Clips in their architectural plans. Our installation video, easy access to our spec sheet, outstanding customer service, price match guarantee, and huge inventory selection make Eagle Mouldings the first choice among aluminum extrusion suppliers.

Eagle Aluminum hired an accredited materials technology company to conduct a vertical and lateral load test on its Eagle-Clip 1.5” Z-Clips, and vertical load testing on it’s 2” and 48” Eagle-Clip Z-Clips. The average vertical load for a single 1.5” Z-Clip is 421 lbs., and 105 lbs. with a lateral load. The average vertical load achieved by a single Eagle-Clip 2” Z Clip is 478 lbs. The average load achieved by the 48” Eagle-Clip Z Clip opposite three 2” Z-Clips is 703 lbs. For more details, please review the results of the Strength Test.

To add holding power to any ZClip, simply add additional clips or rails. For example in hanging ¾” architectural wall panels, we suggest using 2 to 3 rails in the wall and a 2” clip every 24” on the back side of the panel. Also, know that the size fastener and the material your fastening into will always have a major impact as to how much a Z Clip will hold. It almost never is the clip that fails, but rather the fastener or the material being fastened to.

Eagle Aluminum has no minimum order. We will sell as little as one 6’ Z rail or as little as 1 bag of 20 Z Clips.

Eagle Z clips and Z rails are used to hang almost anything including: architectural wall panels, acoustical panels, cabinets, headboards, mirrors and pictures.

Eagle Z-Clips are intended for wall mounting applications. When installing on a horizontal surface, the panel is being held by the “Lift-off” portion of the clip. We recommend using our ⅝” lift-off -vs- the ⅜” lift-off because there is an additional ⅛’ of Z Clip holding the object. Also, the installer wants to make sure the panels are butted tightly against the next panel so when a concession of panels are installed in a row there are no gaps for any one panel to disengage.

Eagle Aluminum has designed, manufactured and stocks a wide variety of Z Clips. Each Z Clip has a “Stand-off” the measured distance off the wall an object will be when the Z clip is engaged and also a “Lift-off” the measured distance it takes to disengage an object once the Z clip is engaged. We have lift-offs of ¼”, ⅜” and ⅝” and stand-offs of 3/16” and ¼”. Eagle Aluminum has also designed a thinner more lightweight clip for lightweight items to be hung on the wall like pictures and small framed photos. Another Z Clip was designed especially for glazing companies. This Z clip has a smooth mounting surface which allows for special glazing adhesives to be used most effectively. Eagle Aluminum offers 1.5” and 2” clips, 6’ and 12’ rails, both punched and unpunched.

Yes, Eagle Aluminum has designed two Z Clips specifically for glazing, glass, and sign companies. The ZCP-62518-S and ZCP-375-S Z clips have a smooth mounting surface which allows for special glazing adhesives or tapes to adhere effectively to its smooth surface giving it outstanding holding power. 3M VHB tapes are used for architectural panel hanging and work with our smooth mounting surface Z clips for a professional installation. Great for window, composite panels, signage, glass and mirror applications.

Yes, Our entire line of Z Clips and Z Rails are available in either punched or unpunched variety. If Our standard lengths or hole pattern doesn’t work for your project we can quote you custom hole sizes and patterns.

Our standard punched holes are .210”.

Our Eagle-Clip Z clips in 2″ and 1.5″ widths come standard with offset holes (not in a straight line). The holes are designed to be offset to provide a strong mounting surface, especially in wood applications. The offset design helps keep wood from splitting, and the screws have a stronger installation point when not going into the same wood grain pattern.

Yes, but unless you’re screwing into a wood stud wall behind the sheetrock, it won’t hold an excessive amount of weight. If possible, when screwing your fasteners to “soft” material like sheetrock, make sure you’re also hitting a stud to ensure maximum holding power. If this is not possible, we would suggest you use a longer 6’ or 12’ rail, and in some cases, multiple rails to hang heavier objects.

Yes, as long as there is a contact person to sign for the delivery.

Yes, orders can be picked up during standard business hours. Within reason, certain accommodations can be made.

Yes, we specialize in custom colors and finishes in all our extruded products. Just tell us what you need and we will provide you with all of our available options.

Yes, Eagle Aluminum specializes in custom aluminum extrusions. We have one of the nation’s largest selections of specialty and custom aluminum extrusion inventories found anywhere. If you need architectural anodized aluminum extrusions, look no further. Eagle Aluminum has been serving the architectural millwork, store fixture and store display markets for over 30 years.