How to Install and Mount a Ghent Enclosed Board?

Ghent Enclosed Boards are combination bulletin and display boards mounted in a lockable frame with hinged glass or acrylic doors. They are designed for high-traffic public spaces - lobbies, hallways, breakrooms, and entry areas - where bulletin board content needs to be both visible and protected from unauthorized removal or modification. Correct installation ensures the board is level, securely anchored, and positioned at a height accessible to the intended audience. This guide covers the complete installation process.

About the Ghent Enclosed Board Line

Ghent Enclosed Boards feature a bulletin board writing or tacking surface enclosed behind lockable glass or acrylic hinged doors, mounted in an aluminum or wood frame. The enclosed design protects posted materials from tampering, weather (for exterior-rated models), and accidental contact. Ghent offers enclosed boards with cork bulletin boards (for pinned materials), fabric tack boards, combination boards (half cork, half whiteboard), and full whiteboard surfaces. The board depth (frame depth) varies from 1 inch for standard indoor models to 2.5 inches for exterior models with weatherproof seals. Models are available with single or double door configurations.

How to Install and Mount a Ghent Enclosed Board

Step 1 - Unbox and Inspect the Board

Unbox the Ghent Enclosed Board and inspect all components. Verify the board surface condition (cork, fabric, or whiteboard) is undamaged. Confirm the door hinges and lock mechanism function correctly before installation. Locate the mounting keyhole or bracket hardware on the back of the frame. Note the hardware positions - typically two keyholes or brackets at the top of the frame, sometimes with additional lower supports for larger models. Locate the mounting hardware packet (screws and/or anchors) included with the board.

Step 2 - Determine Installation Height and Location

Standard installation height for an enclosed bulletin board positions the center of the board at eye level for the intended audience. For an adult standing audience, this is approximately 60 to 65 inches from the floor to the board center. The bottom edge of a 36-inch tall board at this center height would be at approximately 42 to 47 inches from the floor. For enclosed boards in areas serving both adults and children, lower the installation by 6 to 8 inches. Plan the horizontal position to avoid electrical outlets, switches, whiteboard accessories wall-mounted panels, or HVAC vents that would prevent flush wall contact or interfere with door opening.

Step 3 - Check Door Clearance

Ghent Enclosed Boards have doors that swing outward from one or both sides. Confirm that the intended installation location provides adequate door swing clearance. Single-door models require clear space equal to the door width (half the board width) on the hinge side. Double-door models require approximately 50 percent of the board width of clear space on both sides. Also confirm the board can be mounted flush against the wall without the door mechanism contacting baseboards or trim.

Step 4 - Locate Studs and Mark Mounting Points

Use a stud finder to locate studs in the mounting area. Mark stud positions at the intended mounting height. Measure and mark the wall positions corresponding to the board's keyhole or bracket mounting hardware positions. Use a level to confirm all mounting marks are precisely horizontal - an enclosed board that is even slightly tilted is visible during daily use because the horizontal door and frame lines emphasize any tilt.

Step 5 - Install Wall Anchors or Screws

For stud-mounted positions, drive the appropriate screws directly into the stud. For drywall positions without studs, install toggle bolt anchors rated to support the board weight. Ghent Enclosed Boards are heavier than open bulletin boards due to the frame and door glass - a 3x4 foot enclosed board typically weighs 30 to 45 pounds. Use anchors rated for at least double the board weight per mounting point. Tack boards and smaller enclosed boards may need only two mounting points; larger models require four.

Step 6 - Hang, Level, and Verify

With a helper, lift the Ghent Enclosed Board and engage the keyhole hardware with the wall screws. Slide the board downward to lock the keyholes onto the screw heads. Use the level to verify the board is perfectly horizontal and adjust if needed before fully tightening any adjustable hardware. Open both doors (or the single door) and confirm they swing freely without binding. Test the lock mechanism if equipped. Confirm the board is flush against the wall across its full width with no visible gap at the corners. See What Are Some Options for a Board? for help selecting the right enclosed board type.

Enclosed Board Mounting Reference

Maintaining an Enclosed Bulletin Board After Installation

An enclosed bulletin board installed in a high-traffic public area requires periodic maintenance to continue functioning correctly and maintaining its professional appearance. The glass or acrylic door panels require regular cleaning with an appropriate cleaner - glass cleaner for glass doors, a mild soap solution for acrylic panels (avoid ammonia-based cleaners on acrylic as they cause clouding over time). Clean both the interior and exterior surfaces of the door panels when refreshing posted content.

The locking mechanism requires occasional lubrication with a small amount of graphite powder or light machine oil on the cam lock mechanism. A lock that requires excessive force to turn is both a security risk (it may eventually seize) and a convenience problem for staff who need to access the board regularly. Annual lubrication prevents lock stiffness from developing. For boards in humid environments such as lobbies or near exterior doors, inspect the lock mechanism semi-annually for any signs of corrosion.

The cork or fabric tacking surface inside the enclosed board eventually shows wear from repeated pin insertions. Cork boards lose tacking ability when the surface becomes deeply pitted from excessive pin use concentrated in the same areas. Distributing pin placement across the full board surface rather than clustering all materials in the center extends the surface life significantly. When a cork surface reaches the end of its useful life, replacement cork boards are available for most Ghent enclosed board frame sizes and can be installed by removing the doors and replacing the cork insert without reinstalling the entire board.

Troubleshooting

The enclosed board door does not close flush with the frame

The board is not perfectly level - a slight tilt causes the door to settle open by gravity. Re-level the board and tighten all mounting screws. Confirm the door hinges are correctly engaged.

The glass door is cracking after installation

The board frame is under stress from a mounting point that is not perfectly aligned with the frame's rear surface. The frame must sit flat and flush against the wall - a mounting screw that is slightly too long or positioned at an angle can bow the frame and crack the glass. Re-inspect all mounting screws for correct seating.

The lock mechanism is not aligning with the strike plate

The board shifted slightly during final tightening. Loosen the mounting hardware, reposition the board to align the lock and strike plate, then re-tighten. Some Ghent enclosed board frames have slotted mounting holes that allow minor repositioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ghent Enclosed Boards be installed outdoors?

Ghent offers exterior-rated enclosed boards with weatherproof seals, UV-resistant glazing, and corrosion-resistant frames. Standard indoor enclosed boards are not suitable for outdoor installation. Confirm the model is rated for exterior use before outdoor installation.

What size key does the Ghent Enclosed Board use?

Ghent enclosed boards typically use a standard T-handle key or cam lock key. Replacement keys are available from Ghent by providing the board model number and lock serial number. A single key style is often used across multiple boards in a facility for one-key access convenience.

Can I install a Ghent Enclosed Board without drilling into the wall?

No. The board weight requires secure wall-mounted hardware. Free-standing enclosed board options exist as an alternative to wall-mounted models for locations where wall drilling is not permitted.

What is the depth of a Ghent Enclosed Board?

Standard indoor models are typically 1 to 1.5 inches deep. Exterior models are 2 to 2.5 inches deep. The depth must be accommodated in the installation plan - ensure no obstructions (chairs, shelves, traffic paths) conflict with the board projection from the wall.

Can I use a battery-powered impact driver to install the board?

Yes for driving screws into studs. Use a low torque setting to avoid over-driving screws that could damage the wall surface or pull through anchor hardware. For concrete anchors, use the drill mode (not impact mode) when pre-drilling.

For organizations with multiple enclosed boards in a facility, standardizing installation heights and door configurations across all boards creates a consistent visitor experience and simplifies maintenance. A documented facility installation standard (board center height, anchor type preference, key type) reduces installation variation and makes future board additions or replacements straightforward.