FAQ’s – frequently asked questions
Need some help regarding a product?Do you have a question regarding an Artiteq product? Below you will find the frequently asked questions. In case you’re unable to find an answer there, please get in touch with us directly. During weekdays, you can reach us on the Chat (only available during office hours), or on the phone number +31 13-5729070 en per email op info@artiteq.com. We love to help you!
Frequently asked questions
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Take a look here to find a webshop, or a picture frames shop, store or hardware store in your area.
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In principle, our hanging systems can be attached to all conventional wall types (i.e. concrete, brick, hollow brick, sand-lime brick, plaster, plasterboard walls, wood, etc.). Of course, the load also depends on the total strength and construction of the wall itself. When mounting the hanging system on walls with a less solid construction, it is advisable not to fully utilise the maximum load of the system.
We supply universal plugs with the majority of our sets, which are suitable for most solid and hollow walls. Some very uncommon walls may require different, more specific plugs.
When in doubt, ask for advice from a builder, a skilled DIYer, or your local hardware store.
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Our rail systems are intended for indoor applications only.
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You can mark out the holes by using the Click&Connect feature as a template. The clips are designed such that the screws can be inserted diagonally up to a 10° angle, after which the rail can be mounted to the ceiling. If this angle is too small or if you would like to drill at a straighter angle, we recommend that you use a longer drill or a special drill with a compact head.
Mount the first clip about 10cm from end of rail.
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Frames suspended from a cord are always tilted slightly forward. You may have seen this in museums, where it is done deliberately in order to prevent glare. How far the frame tilts forward and how this can be avoided depends on a number of factors (see instructions here below). For further tips and suggestions, please read here.
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A picture hanging system comprises the following elements: rail, hanging wire and hanging hook. Artiteq guarantees the functionality of the products because it carefully coordinates the various elements of a picture hanging system. The quality can only be guaranteed when original (Artiteq) products are combined correctly. The guarantee is null and void if there are combinations other than with the correct Artiteq products. A frame or canvas will always hang more steadily if 2 hanging wires are used. The weight of the frame determines the choice of the hook and wire, in combination with the maximum weight carrying capacity of one metre of the rail.
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The wall systems can be mounted on a sloping wall. The rail is installed in just the same way it would be on a straight wall. The hanging rail must be positioned in such a way that the rail itself doesn’t slide down. You should use a Stopper Set to hang frames/pictures on a sloping wall. This Stopper Set will keep the hanging wire in the right place, and the wall decoration will hang straight. The stopper locks the hanging wire by tightening the socket head screw in the stopper. The stopper will always be positioned lower than the hanging wire. When mounting a picture hanging system on a sloping wall, we advise that you use Solid Slider hanging wires. When using a Stopper Set, the maximum weight of a frame is 4 kg.
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The carrying capacity of our picture hanging systems varies for each rail. For example, the Click Rail has a carrying capacity of 30 kg per metre. The two wall systems – Click Rail Pro, Combi Rail Pro Light and the two integrated systems – Art Strip and Ceiling Strip, all have a carrying capacity of 50 kg per metre. For even heavier pictures, the Classic Rail +, with a carrying capacity of 100 kg per metre is the strongest hanging system we offer. The other hanging systems have a carrying capacity of 20 kg per metre. If the Contour Rail is glued, the carrying capacity of this rail reduces from 20 kg to 10 kg per metre.
The weight of the frame/picture/artwork or wall decoration determines the choice of hook and wire, in combination with the maximum weight carrying capacity of one metre of the rail. Artiteq guarantees the functionality of the products because it carefully coordinates the various elements of a picture hanging system. The quality can only be guaranteed when original Artiteq products are combined correctly.
As well as hanging pictures, frames, artwork, wall hangings and plant pots, the Artiteq picture hanging systems are also suitable for hanging whiteboards, bulletin boards and glass boards. Artiteq has developed a special Whiteboard Set for hanging whiteboards. This set ensures stable mounting of a Whiteboard to a wall.
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If you mount the Click & Connect connector piece exactly between two rails, the rail will continue smoothly and the joint between the two rails will be barely visible.
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Corner connectors can be used for a flawless finish. The corner connectors can be ordered separately.
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Artiteq profiles are lacquered using a polyester-based powder coating which is generally easy to overpaint. The primer version can be overpainted using commonly available lacquers (latex-based, acrylic-based or alkyd-based). If you intend to overpaint the profiles, you must first prepare the surface. It is sufficient to remove any excess grease (preferably using surgical spirit) and slightly polishing it with fine sandpaper.
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The aluminium profiles can be easily customised by trimming them with a metal saw to reduce their length. It is recommended that you use a miter box to make a straight, rectangular cut.
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A picture/frame/wall decoration can be moved around using the hanging wire in the rail, provided that you keep hold of the wall decoration whilst moving this. It is important that the wire at the top of the rail is moved correctly and that you firmly hold the picture that is being moved. To be able to move wall decorations easily on the rail, we advise you to remove the picture from the hook. First move the hanging wire to the required position, adjust the hook to the required height and then hang the picture firmly on the hanging hook.
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The rail is affixed quite firmly to the clips because it must be fastened safely and securely. The system is essentially designed to be mounted once. If you disassemble all the parts, it is important that you carefully examine each component and replace any damaged parts. After you disassemble the system, you must always replace the clips and plugs with new ones.
The best way to remove the rail from the clips is by loosening the rail from the clip at the bottom (directly on the clip) using a flat screwdriver. You must start on one of the sides and then work from there to the left or right. In order to prevent wall damage (or at least keep it to a minimum), we recommend that you place a steel or aluminium sheet beneath the screwdriver. Depending on the type of wall, you can then prevent the plug from being pulled out of the wall.
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All rails can be mounted flush against the ceiling with the exception of the Contour Rail which has to be fitted at least 1 cm beneath the ceiling (drill at least 15mm below the ceiling). For the integrated picture hanging systems (Art Strip, Ceiling Strip and Shadowline), this will depend on how the system will be used.
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Nail or screw into the wall (can go through thin and soft aluminium). Corners can be mounted with mitres, but just butted together is easier. Angled frame of a dropped ceiling can be stapled to the wood.
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We recommend that you drive the screws into the rail beforehand. The best way to insert the screws into the holes is by twisting them one-quarter turn until they are tightly secured inside the rail. Since the aluminium is fairly pliable, you can use the screw thread to make a slight incision. You can then easily feed the rail into the ceiling in one easy step.
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The drill size depends on which hanging system you install. If you are going to drill a hole, it is important to match the diameters of the plug and the drill.
- For a 5-mm Fischer UX plug, use a 5-mm drill
- For a 6-mm plug, use a 6-mm drill
- For a 4-mm plug, use a 4-mm drill
Questions about hanging wires
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Artiteq offers transparent perlon hanging wires and steel wires for hanging wall decorations on an Artiteq picture hanging system. Artiteq offers both the perlon hanging wires and the steel wires in a 1-mm and 2-mm thickness and in different lengths from 150 cm to 300 cm. The weight of a frame or a different wall decoration determines the choice of hanging hook. With a maximum weight carrying capacity ranging from 4 kg to 20 kg, there is a wide choice of Artiteq hanging hooks. In addition to the weight of the wall decoration, the choice also depends on the look you wish to achieve. The perlon hanging wires are almost invisible. The steel cable hanging wires, also available in 1-mm steel wire black, are suitable for hanging heavier wall decorations.
Please refer to this compatibility list.
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Yes you can. The maximum weight of the chosen hanging wire must, however, be taken into account, in combination with the correct hook.
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A perlon wire is a plastic transparent wire. Artiteq offers perlon hanging wires in a 1-mm and 2-mm thickness and in different lengths between 150 and 300 cm. There is also a choice of perlon wires with a glider or twister system. This means that the hanging wire is placed differently in the hanging rail. The advantage of the perlon hanging wires is that these are transparent and are therefore almost invisible against a wall.
As well as the perlon hanging wires, Artiteq also offers steel wire. The colour of the wire is trendy and more striking. Artiteq offers steel wire in a 1-mm and 2-mm thickness and in different lengths between 150 and 300 cm.
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You are not able to shorten the steel cable hanging wires yourself. You would, in principle, be able to shorten the perlon hanging wires, but if unsuitable scissors are used, the wire can become distorted, meaning it is difficult or impossible to insert this through the hanging hooks. We recommend that you roll up the surplus hanging wire and place this behind the picture. If you do decide to shorten the wire yourself, use a high-quality, sharp, utility knife.
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Steel wire can be used outdoors, but because of the strain placed on the wires from other sources (for example, the wind), this can increase the total strain considerably. Our systems are designed for indoor use only. Perlon is not recommended for outdoor use, because of the (more extreme) impact of moisture and UV light. When less of a strain is placed on the wires and when these are replaced regularly, the system could be used outdoors in certain cases, however we advise against this and will not provide any guarantees to this end.
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In principle, steel wires will last forever. Hanging wires made from perlon may age. In normal indoor climates, this process is extremely slow (>20 years). At higher temperatures, higher levels of humidity or increased UV light, we recommend changing the wires every 10 years, as a precaution.
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You may find that the perlon cord curls up after the perlon has been rolled up for an extended period of time. The weight of the frame is usually enough to straighten the wire again. If this does not achieve the desired effect, you may want to try hanging a weight on the wire over an extended period of time. You can accelerate this process by first soaking the wires in warm (not boiling or hot) water for several hours.
Questions about the Combi Rail Pro Light
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A dimming feature is really only required when you are lighting a larger space such as a room – it generally does not play a role in spot lighting. When it comes to spot lighting, it is more common to choose a lamp with the desired level of intensity.
While it is possible to dim LED lights, this requires that you use the correct combination of components, and it also depends on the length of the rail. Philips has stated that the 6,5W and 7,5W lamps are dimmable. Philips indicates that these are dimmable in limited applications and with a select number of dimmers. For long secondary (12V) distances, such as a light rail, we therefore do not recommend dimming the lamps. Since Philips regularly changes the specifications for dimming MasterLED lights, we recommend that you check the Philips Lighting website for further information: www.philips.com/masterledlamps.
The 6.5W has a light output of 440lm (which corresponds approximately to the old 35W halogen lamps) and the 7.5W has a light output of 621lm (which corresponds to the old 50W halogen lamps).
To summarise: while the Combi Rail Pro Light is dimmable, we recommend that you choose not to dim spot lights but rather choose bulbs with the appropriate level of intensity. We recommend that you use LED bulbs as this is less expensive because they consume less electricity and have a much longer average service life. In our experience, the MasterLED 6,5W and 7,5W meet the requirements of most applications.
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You can choose either LED or halogen bulbs. We always recommend LED: ultimately these are much more cost-effective, because of:
• longer lifespan
• lighter, therefore cheaper to runThe LED bulbs that we offer with the Combi Rail Pro Light have the following advantages when compared with halogen bulbs:
• light is not emitted from behind
• improved light distribution on the wall (more even)
• no UV radiation
• much less heat radiationIn the majority of cases, the 6,5W bulb will suffice (the strength of the light is comparable to our previous most popular 35W halogen bulb).
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We decided to clearly separate the openings for hanging and electrics from one another (safety, reduced risk of short-circuit).