Wall covering fasteners: eye-catching & invisible

Architecture extended to confirmation

In Amsterdam North, the site of the former NDSM shipyard is being transformed into a modern residential neighborhood: Project Nautical NDSM B10. The view of 't IJ together with the industrial past inspired the architecture of the project. This was extended to the fasteners of the wall panels. For this fastening project, Eurofast offered tailored advice and supplied the necessary fasteners.

A number of buildings within the B10 project have been given a metallic look with white accents by the architects. This is created by the wall cladding with a cotton-look coating. Rakon Bouwprofiel BV was given the task of fixing this wall cladding in the right way. In the search for a visible fastening, without the fasteners detracting from this special look, the CEO of Rakon Bouwprofiel contacted Eurofast's Jaap Mulder. 

The right fastener for the application

Eurofast specializes in mechanical fasteners for Flat Roof and Roof & Wall systems. Mulder: "With every Roof & Wall fixing project, the central question is, 'what do you fix to what?' Since this is a new construction project, this question was quickly answered. A pull-out test on site, a service we offer, was therefore not necessary. Also, the structural engineer had already calculated the wind forces. The required extraction and shear values of the fasteners were therefore known. We also know these values for all our screws, so we were soon able to recommend the right product."

"The challenge was in seamlessly matching the fasteners to the white cotton-look metal wall panels," Mulder explains. "Because the special coating included both a cotton look and different color specks, a standard RAL color coating was out of the question. Therefore, we contacted the company that provided the coating of the panels so that we could use the exact same powder during the powder coating of the fasteners."

No damage by using special clamping bit

To attach the coated fasteners, the ENS Eurofast Nutsetter was used. This nutsetter bit ensures that the coating of the screw is not damaged. During installation, the force of the bit is distributed because it presses on the fastener's cast-on washer, and does not slide over the head. In addition, using a clamping bit does not leave sawdust in the bit that can damage the coating. This can be the case with a magnetic bit.

Would you also like to receive support or advice for your fastening project? The experts at Eurofast are at your service.